CareerZone Pennsylvania

Film and Video Editors

Description

Edit motion picture soundtracks, film, and video.

Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree - Degree completed after 4 or 5 years of full-time schooling beyond high school.

Interests

Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Fine Arts	Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Design	Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Skills

Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control	Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Tasks

• Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
• 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.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
• Trim film segments to specified lengths, and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
• Develop post-production models for films.
• Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.
• Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
• Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.
• Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
• Estimate how long audiences watching comedies will laugh at each gag line or situation, to space scenes appropriately.
• Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
• Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
• Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
• Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
• Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.

Wages

In 2006, the Pennsylvania average annual wage was $49,400.00. The entry-level wage was $26,140.00 while an experienced worker made $61,030.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 320 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 370 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about 5 openings due to growth and about 7 replacement openings for approximately 12 total annual openings. This occupation experienced significant growth.

Colleges and Training

Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.

• Cinematography and Film/Video ProductionA program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film; film technology and equipment operation; film production; film directing; film editing; cinematographic art; film audio; techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos; the , use of computer applications to record or enhance images, audio or effect and the planning and management of film/video operations.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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