Am I making a bad career choice?

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Hey everyone, new here! Thought I'd get an opinion..I'm currently a TV/Radio Production major, and looking into 4-year schools to continue my education. I seem to have a knack for most of what's involved, but editing has become my favorite aspect. I haven't had nearly as much experience as I'd like, mostly learning things on my own, but excited to improve as time goes on.

My question, is there opportunity in Editing? Or am I doomed to living with my parents for a very long time if I choose this career path?

I'm more for a career that I'll enjoy than what'll give me money, but just curious. Thanks!
 
If you love it do it but don't expect to get rich. Some editors make $30k a year. Some make $300k a year. It all depends on everything from skill to luck to location.


-A
 
Depends.

Are you knowledgeable in your field?

Are you talented at it?

Do you have a good attitude?

The more of those questions you can answer with 'yes' and mixed with a lot of luck, will ensure that you'll do just fine.

I don't know you, so I can't tell you if you're gonna make it or not. It is something you've got to look deep within yourself and decide. If you think you've got what it takes and the drive to get there, then by all means do what you want to do in this world, because it's the only time you can.
 
I think you should look at this in a completely different way.

As an RTF Grad I feel I wasted my time in college. I got way more out of "getting out there" and shooting than going to class for it.

The best editing class you have is netflix, a dvd player, an editing system, footage, and hopefully some folks that know good when they see it and can help guide you there.

If you love editing, pursue it. If you have a strong enough reel and have the connections the degree won't impact you getting hired.

Get out of RTF. Get a business degree, nursing, accounting, something that falls into the top 25 most sought after professions. You now have something to fall back on. Then keep doing what you love. I personally wish I had taken more business courses, because talent and business acumen are rarely coupled.

I'm sure you can take a ton of the RTF classes as a minor and I'm sure if you really nagged you could probably get into some of the upper division production classes anyways.

Not really what you were looking to hear, but...
 
You can make a career in editing, but it's like everything else here, network, network, network and do lots and lots of editing for other folks so you have a good reel and body of work.
 
RTF/RTV classes don't so much teach you everything you need to know - but they can push you in the right direction, create connections, and countless other things. The most important thing to do in school is get involved and use those 4 years doing as much hands on work as you can.

My RTV program blew up my sophomore/junior year, and the classes didn't offer me crap. But I used that time to further myself and my skills on my own due to the infinite amount of free time you have as a student - and got a good paying job out of it and my own freelance company. I wouldn't trade college for anything.

And learn everything - not just editing.
 
I really appreciate all the replies!

Cliff Wildman - your reply didn't surprise me at all. Only a year and 1/2 (barely) into this major and I already realized I'll learn more on my own than I will in class, especially when the professors have little/no experience with the new technology (so frustrating!). Unfortunately, it took me quite awhile to realize that Editing is what I find the most enjoyment/satisfaction in, and I don't have much of my own finished production, but that's something I want to change from here on out - and realize I need to change if I want to make it somewhere.

I don't think I could handle taking Business classes and trying to do this on the side - I think staying in the RTF courses will open up more opportunity to work on projects and give me access to equipment, as well as working with other students who could help me along the way. Not to mention, I like being around this environment as much as possible, and learning all aspects.

I know my work ethic, so I'm pretty confident I'll be successful - I was just curious if it was the kind of career that is almost impossible to find work in (i.e., Photography?), or that I'd just have to bust my butt a little more.
 
Don't focus on technology. Technology is just a tool that will soon be outdated. What you learn today about FCP or a Red camera won't matter at all in less than 10yrs. Learn how to tell a story. The best instructors I had in college were the ones that pushed us to tell better stories. Tell a good story and you can create something compelling on a cell phone (a guy I knew in college got a job offer from Dateline based on a project he shot on VHS). The fundamentals of editing are timeless so don't discount your profs just because they don't know the ins and outs of the latest vDSLR.

As boring as they may be at least take some basic business classes. Odds are you'll be a freelancer and having at least basic business knowledge will come in very handy. Looking back I wish I'd taken some businesses classes in school and I'm planning on taking some business classes from the local college in the near future (while working a full time day job and cutting a feature doc on the side).

If you are really worried about finding and keeping work you might want to look into an industry that isn't as volatile as this one.


-A
 
RTF = Rich Text Formatting?

Never heard of those acronyms. I am in film school now. There is a decent amount of theory and a decent amount of practical learning. Though the big thing about film school is you are allowed [read: expected] to screw up. You are expected to make an utter disaster. You are expected to run into issues. And guess what? Nothing happens when you do.

Your grade might drop a bit at worst, or maybe you'll still get an A. Fact of the matter is, you were able to do something, screw up, learn, and get critiqued. You can take out 250,000 worth of gear for a shoot day, for nothing (well, tuition). Your network is huge. You have grants available.

There is use going. Use it to take risks and network. Some of the professors and alumni are invaluable. You won't have access to that if you are taking a business degree.
 
I definitely get a lot out of the major, mostly from other students - it's a great way to learn and get new ideas. I just don't rely on the professors for much - even from a writing stand point. But, it may just be the school I'm at now. While there's A LOT of hands-on experience, I feel like the professors are limited to their particular field and can't help you with much else. Or maybe they're just too lazy to teach. :P

Telling a story - I agree with. That's my favorite part of the process.

I'm honestly not THAT concerned. I rather be on a limited budget and do something I enjoy, than have a miserable 9-5 desk job.

I may look into taking business classes, maybe when I'm done with all my requirements, I could try to take a class or two. Good piece of advice, I appreciate it.
 
I did the college thing and learned a bunch of stuff I already knew. If I could do it all over again I would have went into emergency medicine like my best friend. She made 470K last year, I made 60.

But like the others said, if you believe in yourself go for it. But go hard. You only live once.
 
There is probably more opportunity in editing than in any field in the business. I've found people are always looking for good editors, no matter what the business climate. I'd get in as an assistant somewhere, learn the ropes, use their equipment in off hours for side projects to build your reel if they let you and network. You should obviously learn final cut but if you can learn AVID as well. Good Avid editors aren't as easy to come by these days and it would give you a leg up, as the more established places and networks tend to use AVID. If you're worried about making a bad career choice you can consider that I make six figures just editing from home these days.
 
Which school are you going? sounds an awful lot like what happened to me...

There are many 2 year programs that would teach you the basics to "survive" in the broadcast, film, production world. Also before you finish your degree take some internship credits, balance theory and hands-on and put that extra 2-3 years tuition in your savings account.
 
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Also another factor that nobody has mentioned...the social aspect.

College allows you to grow up as a person, make life long friends, and just enjoy life with few responsibilities. It really is some of the best years of your life. What's the rush to get to a job? You're going to be working for 20, 30, 40 years anyways.

As long as you're not paying an absurd amount for tuition. No private school is worth it for film/tv.
 
patssle said:
Also another factor that nobody has mentioned...the social aspect.

College allows you to grow up as a person, make life long friends, and just enjoy life with few responsibilities. It really is some of the best years of your life. What's the rush to get to a job? You're going to be working for 20, 30, 40 years anyways.
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You also get to learn the finesse of the walk of shame.
 
Batutta said:
There is probably more opportunity in editing than in any field in the business. I've found people are always looking for good editors, no matter what the business climate. I'd get in as an assistant somewhere, learn the ropes, use their equipment in off hours for side projects to build your reel if they let you and network. You should obviously learn final cut but if you can learn AVID as well. Good Avid editors aren't as easy to come by these days and it would give you a leg up, as the more established places and networks tend to use AVID. If you're worried about making a bad career choice you can consider that I make six figures just editing from home these days.
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Awesome - that's what I was hearing, that there's more opportunity in Editing than anything else. And I figure it's something that even if my "job" isn't giving me all that much money, I could do freelancing on the side to make some extra cash. I'm prepared to bust my ass - in the little experience I've had, as much work as it can be, it's extremely satisfying to deliver a finished product.

Which school are you going? sounds an awful lot like what happened to me...

There are many 2 year programs that would teach you the basics to "survive" in the broadcast, film, production world. Also before you finish your degree take some internship credits, balance theory and hands-on and put that extra 2-3 years tuition in your savings account.
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It's community school - but the program is far better than what you'd expect - Full TV Studio, Control Room, Editing Labs, 3 Radio Studios, high-end JVC cameras.. like I said, I just wish that the professors were a little more well-rounded.

I'm currently taking an Internship - unfortunately, I think the people there are so sick of getting Interns, they don't really reach out to help them learn much, so you really have to twist some arms to learn a thing or two. I'm hoping I'll land some better ones during the next couple of years.

Oh, and I'm in no rush to graduate and start "career" hunting, especially with the way the economy is. I'm already back a semester/year, and perfectly ok with that. I couldn't imagine trying to find a job by the end of next year.
 
I think the people there are so sick of getting Interns, they don't really reach out to help them learn much, so you really have to twist some arms to learn a thing or two.
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These days - many interns are idiots or don't have what it takes to make it in this field. They aren't tired of them, they are just weary of of them - don't know what to expect. And really, if you do twist arms to learn and get involved, they will notice. Interns that apply themselves will get the most out of the experience, those who sit back and wait for everything to come to them will most likely be failures.
 
Do whatever you want career-wise, but here's the best bit of advice I've seen on this board:

Always marry above your station.
 
patssle said:
These days - many interns are idiots or don't have what it takes to make it in this field. They aren't tired of them, they are just weary of of them - don't know what to expect. And really, if you do twist arms to learn and get involved, they will notice. Interns that apply themselves will get the most out of the experience, those who sit back and wait for everything to come to them will most likely be failures.
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Well, I figure that's with any experience - it's what you make out of it. But, it's a crappy situation because they won't give you things to do, but when you start asking, "What can I do?" they get annoyed. Like you said, they probably assume every Intern is incapable of doing anything right.
 
Batutta said:
There is probably more opportunity in editing than in any field in the business.
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I'd always felt that there was more opportunity for camera guys 'cause everything has to be shot but not everything has to be edited and I think it's more common to have multiple camera guys shooting on the same project than multiple editors cutting on the same project. Of course I'm not sure if by "in the business" you mean the entertainment business as a whole or just the movie business since this is more of a movie-centric forum.


-A
 
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