Film and video editors are the people responsible for editing raw video footage and putting together a seamless and comprehensive full-length result. While a college degree isn’t necessary to land video editor jobs, you will need a lot skill, hard work, a keen eye for style, and be willing to put in the necessary hours to succeed if you wish to become a video editor.
There are many apprentice, volunteer, and part-time or full-time employment options available for amateur to professional video editors who have wide variety of skills. On the job training is often preferred for those interested in pursuing a lifelong video-editing career. If you have pursued editing as a hobby and have built up a portfolio of your work that showcases your talent and skill, you are well on your way to a successful editing career.
A degree or certificate isn’t needed but there are still skills you can learn from taking courses at a college or university such as different forms of editing, film history and screenwriting. Pursuing an education in video or film editing also enables you to meet a larger group of people and successfully network with other like-minded hobbyists and business owners a like. Volunteering can also open doors for you towards a permanent video editing position. If you have the opportunity to show off your skills, it’s important to pursue that route because many film and video editing companies simply want editors who can deliver consistent and quality work.
It’s unlikely your very first editing position will be a chief editor and you probably won’t have any access to directly editing video or film. It’s possible and not difficult to get promoted and work you way up the ranks through a video or film editing businesses. Building a portfolio of all the edited work you have completed is important to show the people you are networking with and potential employers who are given the ability to browse your work. Media platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube allow video editors to easily share their accomplishments and receive reviews and criticisms of their edits.
The most typical route to a video or film editing job would be to simply mail out your resume along with your best work to different media companies you’re interested in working for. There a variety of methods to get your foot into the door of a video or film editing company. If you’re an amateur editor and are able to provide a quality sample of editing projects you have worked on or completed you are already well ahead of other editors who simply aren’t as skilled or knowledgeable.
There are a variety of editing positions available for a wide range of companies. In the 21st century many businesses have realized the important of online media and the benefits it can bring to their business. Showcasing your editing projects and networking is the key to finding a position in the video or film editing industry.
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