Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Daniel McDonald · Accepted Answer

“The biggest action an Editor can take to propel their career forward is to make a website. If there isn’t a place where potential clients can view the Editor’s past work, then it’s difficult for them to evaluate the Editor’s potential. It has become a required asset.
“Directors and Producers would rather watch work than read a resume. Some Editors send links to past work when trying to book a job but that comes off as amateur. Things look a lot better on a website.”

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Daniel McDonald · Accepted Answer

“The biggest mistake beginners suffer from is looking for instant gratification. By understanding that becoming a successful Editor is a long process, there will be less pressure to succeed. It’s important for an aspiring Editor to hone their craft instead of judging their careers. The better Editors can become, the faster success will find them.”

Question 3

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Daniel McDonald · Accepted Answer

“Why is organization important for an Editor?
“Producers and Directors never ask why organization is important, let alone budget time for it. If the Editor isn’t allowed to organize assets because the bosses are pushing for results that can cause issues further down the line. Footage can get lost and additional assets like fonts and graphic work will be difficult to find in hard drives. Simple tasks that should literally take less than ten minutes will require an entire day of searching for a specific asset.
“Notes will take longer to turnaround because time will be spent rewatching footage. Also, a lack of organization makes it impossible for multiple Editors to work together on one project. It’s a danger that is easy to get out-of-hand without constant maintenance. The best way an Editor can organize is to create a simple and consistent structure for the project’s folders, then stick to it. Organization is the foundation that lets an Editor work quickly and follow their creative impulses.”

Question 4

What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t?

Daniel McDonald · Accepted Answer

“What’s it like working with different Producers and Directors?
“One of the biggest challenges of being an Editor is working with the different client personalities. Some people are a pleasure to work with — they are very collaborative — but others are aggressive and stubborn. They give commands on exactly what they want done, even though it’s not always the best thing to do.
“It’s the Editor’s job to politely show alternatives and explain the technical aspects of the editing process without getting too much into the technical mumbo-jumbo. At the end of the day, the Editor is there to work with the client, which can sometimes be harder than cutting the film.”

Question 5

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Daniel McDonald · Accepted Answer

“Passionate.”

Question 6

What does a Film Editor do?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A Film Editor is responsible for how the different shots and scenes in a movie come together to tell a story. Usually with input from the Director and Producers, the Film Editor decides which takes to use, the length of those takes, and the order in which the takes are assembled. They also oversee how the images they cut together align with other cinematic elements such as special effects, dialogue, and the score.

Question 7

What is a Film Editor salary?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A Film Editor working on a feature film can be paid anywhere in the range of $50,000 give or take. That figure is just a general estimate, though, that can fluctuate based on a number of factors. Those factors include whether the film is a studio-backed project and the experience of the Film Editor. A Film Editor working on a smaller project such as a short film or indie film will likely be paid less.

Question 8

What qualifications do I need to be a Film Editor?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A successful Film Editor comes with a multitude of skillsets. For one, they must have comprehensive knowledge of the editing software platform they are using to cut and assemble the film footage. Two, they must have a creative understanding of how the different shots and scenes should come together to tell a compelling story. Three, a Film Editor must be able to collaborate closely with the Director, Producers, and other individuals who likely will be providing notes on how they want the film to come together.

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