Are there opportunities for film editors?

[JS25]

Hello!

So I decided I am going to London to attend a college that offers visual effects and film editing and my friend is really interested and he's great at it, but he also thinks there's no jobs in that area. So I thought this would be the perfect place to ask people whether or not there are jobs for film editors?

Also, if you are/were a film editor, would you recommend taking a broadcasting (Post-production) course as well as film editing?

THANKS!

 

[Batutta]

Your friend is misinformed. There is actually a good demand for quality editors, especially in the primary markets, LA, NY, etc. I've never wanted for work in my 12 year career so far. It's actually one of the easier industry fields to break into. You won't be editing Schindler's List at first, but you'll make a livable wage unless you're really snobby and would consider trailer or reality show work beneath you. You'd typically start as an assistant, digitizing and logging footage. If you're smart you'll edit stuff in off hours and prove yourself to the higher ups and then they'll give you a shot. If I have one bit of advice for a young editor it's to be flexible. I see too many young editors who chafe at any notes and changes to their edits and are branded difficult to work with. Don't get too attached. Your job is to make their notes work as best you can, even if you think they are stupid. Sometimes, they'll even push you to do better work.

 

[RockmanX3]

I quit my job as an editor recently due to the insane hours causing my health to decline, so that's one more job available.

 

[Batutta]

I quit my job as an editor recently due to the insane hours causing my health to decline, so that's one more job available.

I work at home and set my own hours. I worked crazy hours only once, but mostly, I got fast enough that I always seemed to finish my work on time. I actually ended up going freelance because my staff job couldn't keep up, and I'd sit there doing nothing for too many hours and stretching out the work. It wasn't an efficient use of my time.

 

[JS25]

Your friend is misinformed. There is actually a good demand for quality editors, especially in the primary markets, LA, NY, etc. I've never wanted for work in my 12 year career so far. It's actually one of the easier industry fields to break into. You won't be editing Schindler's List at first, but you'll make a livable wage unless you're really snobby and would consider trailer or reality show work beneath you. You'd typically start as an assistant, digitizing and logging footage. If you're smart you'll edit stuff in off hours and prove yourself to the higher ups and then they'll give you a shot. If I have one bit of advice for a young editor it's to be flexible. I see too many young editors who chafe at any notes and changes to their edits and are branded difficult to work with. Don't get too attached. Your job is to make their notes work as best you can, even if you think they are stupid. Sometimes, they'll even push you to do better work.

Thank you very much, Batutta! That's very reassuring. I'll pass on the news to my friend. But one more question for you, if you don't mind: After you graduated, where did you go from there? Did you apply somewhere specific? Did you get a job through connections?

I quit my job as an editor recently due to the insane hours causing my health to decline, so that's one more job available.

Wow, that's pretty intense. Is it really that bad? If you don't mind me asking, who did you work for and how long have you been in the field?

 

[Batutta]

Thank you very much, Batutta! That's very reassuring. I'll pass on the news to my friend. But one more question for you, if you don't mind: After you graduated, where did you go from there? Did you apply somewhere specific? Did you get a job through connections?

I applied as an assistant at a trailer company. Worked there for about a year. Cut a few music videos on their Avid on weekends. After that I got a job editing for a cable network through a friend of mine. I will add I didn't intend to become an editor when I went to school. I was more interested in screenwriting and directing, but I ended up editing everyone's project at school because I was good at it and after graduation, it was the easiest way to make money.

 

[RockmanX3]

Thank you very much, Batutta! That's very reassuring. I'll pass on the news to my friend. But one more question for you, if you don't mind: After you graduated, where did you go from there? Did you apply somewhere specific? Did you get a job through connections?



Wow, that's pretty intense. Is it really that bad? If you don't mind me asking, who did you work for and how long have you been in the field?

I've been hobby editing for over a decade and been professionally editing for 6 years. I started cutting freelance for different clients and eventually landed a job in reality TV during January of this year.

While the pay was good, the hours and deadlines were so intense that I started developing a bad back and constant headaches. My doctor urged me to get a normal 9-5 job that doesn't involve sitting in front of a computer 24/7, so I quit in September. I work a normal job that doesn't pay as much, but at least I'm feeling healthier now and I can still attempt my dream of being a film director.

 

[Batutta]

In lieu of Rockman's comment, I will also add that if you are going to get into a sedentary career like editing or computer visual effects, finding the time to exercise is crucial to your health.

 

[RockmanX3]

In lieu of Rockman's comment, I will also add that if you are going to get into a sedentary career like editing or computer visual effects, finding the time to exercise is crucial to your health.

Plus I lost an incredible amount of weight (not in a good way) since I barely had the time to eat and wasn't eating the right foods.

If I were a Production Assistant, I would at least be running around a lot.

 

[Batutta]

Plus I lost an incredible amount of weight (not in a good way) since I barely had the time to eat and wasn't eating the right foods.

Yeah, I never seemed to have that problem. Some the the high end edit suites have bowls of chips and candy lying around everywhere.