Film Editing
About film editing careers
Film editing is a crucial part of the filmmaking process. Editors are responsible for turning the many hours of footage into a well-paced, coherent film. The easiest way to get into film editing as a career is to enroll in a film editing school. Even experienced editors can benefit from some of the more advanced film editing programs.
Creative and Technical Film Editing
Film editors are required to know about a number of different areas and how to creatively apply all of the technical concepts they have been taught. Certain basic guidelines, such as the ideal length of a film and how to remove unnecessary space, should be covered in film editing school, but can also be learned on the job with a qualified mentor. The latter will also often give you a different appreciation for the nuances of film than you would get from simply reading about it in a book.
A good film editor knows how to cut the length and the unwanted spaces of a movie so that it is more visually appealing to the viewers. This also makes the pace of the film flow better. Some film editors can apply embellishments to the film, such as music and transition or visual effects. Digital film editing makes a lot of these embellishments much easier to add, allowing the film editor to fully explore his or her creative vision.
Film Editing School
Film editing schools offer a variety of programs, either short-term or long-term. Short-term film editing programs are generally about four to six months and only cover a specific range of disciplines. Longer and more intensive programs can span two to three years and will provide a comprehensive education that focuses on all aspects of the trade, including the latest innovations such as digital film editing and film editing software.
Whether or not you choose to attend a film editing school, it is crucial that you learn about the business side of the job. This is sometimes easier to do from actual work experience than from textbook learning in a classroom. The business of film editing includes getting to know major industry figures and working on your business contacts to further your career. Try to branch out in your networking to include other areas of show business, too, such as acting, directing or music. You never know where the next job could come from.
