Film and Video Editors

What the job really is

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4032
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
• 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.
• Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
• Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
• Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
• Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
• Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
• Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
• 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.
• Program computerized graphic effects.
• Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Cascading style sheets CSS, DaVinci Resolve, Extensible markup language XML, Hypertext markup language HTML, JavaScript

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Editors
• Producers and Directors
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Desktop Publishers
• Media Technical Directors/Managers
• Audio and Video Technicians
• Graphic Designers
• Sound Engineering Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Film and Video Editors — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.