What Do Film and Video Editors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Film and Video Editors edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images. They also organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.

Other tasks include:

• Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
• Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
• Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
• Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
• Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
• Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.

We asked Film and Video Editors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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56% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 29% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Film and Video Editors trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect. They determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.

A typical day for a Film and Video Editor will also include:

• Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
• Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
• Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
• Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
• Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.

We asked some Film and Video Editors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	71% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	43% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	1% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	60% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Film and Video Editors also conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs. They may also review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Film and Video Editors Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements. They might also Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.

In addition, they Program computerized graphic effects.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.

To some Film and Video Editors, it is also their responsibility to Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Film and Video Editor, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/media-and-communication/film-and-video-editors-and-camera-operators.htm

http://www.editorsguild.com/