How do I get started as an editor?

[dadirector89@yahoo.com]

I am interested in editing for Disney or one of it's network affiliates...such as ESPN, or ABC. I went to school for two years, but didn't graduate. Do most networks require that you have a degree to seriously be considered?

 

[Mwjace]

AS far as i see it you have two options

1. Start small doing paid jobs, build a resume and clients, get a job at a production house climb the corporate ladder.

2. know someone and have them get you the job.

personally option one is the only real choice. why? There is no substitute for hard work. You can't skip ahead and expect to make it to the "big leagues". Also for what it is worth most of what you see on stations like ABC, ESPN etc. is all done by outside production companies

as for the degree question (i'm biased i work for a university), but not finishing a degree to me can says something to me. This guy can't even follow though on a degree why would he follow though with working for me. Now i truly believe that that can be negated if that person quit school because they have been working in the editing field that whole time. i don't beileve you have to have a degree to be a editor, director, produces, or even a CEO of a fortune 500 company. but a degree says I'm trying to better myself and learn.

If you truly want to work for Disney or a subsidiary find some one who works there doing what you want to do and ask them, what did you do to get here. The thing about our business people like to talk about themselves and gerenally we like to help people who are truly interested.

These are my thoughts.

 

[Paul F]

It's not the education, but the doors they open that make degrees important. Internships can be a great stepping stone to jobs, experience, and contacts. Some (most?) people won't take a second look at you without a degree.

Good, legitimate internships usually require you to be in a degree program related to the field. I watched an editing intern become an Emmy winner and a Oscar nominee. While talent is required, that internship was absolutely key to this person's career.

 

[DaveD]

As a freelancer, I've never been asked once if I have a degree (I do). In fact I don't think anyone has asked me how long I've been editing. People judge based almost entirely on reel- occasionally they ask specific questions about experience (have you worked with P2 before [honestly, who hasn't], etc).

As a full time applicant/employee, it's pretty much expected that you have a college degree. You might try starting in small post houses, they'll be more likely to hire someone without a degree. Honestly, if I was hiring an editor, I would give almost no weight to a degree- it really doesn't mean anything. But big companies need a metric they can judge potential employees by- years of experience and education are at the top of the list. Work on getting an outstanding reel and with 3 or 4 years of experience, you can probably start applying to big shops like ABC or ESPN.