Occupation Details
Film and Video Editors
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.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$60,370.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$101,720.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$134,760.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
3,260
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,030
+77 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
419
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
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.
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Audio patch bays
- Desktop computers
- Digital video disk DVD recorders
- Digital video editing systems
- Laptop computers
- Network routers
- Personal computers
- Video patch bays
Technology
- AJAX
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Systems Adobe Director
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Apple QuickTime
- Apple Xsan
- Autodesk Maya
- Autodesk Smoke
- Avid Digidesign Pro Tools
- Boris FX Continuum Complete
- Brightcove
- Cascading style sheets CSS
- Extensible markup language XML
- Google Video
- JavaScript
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- install or set up equipment
- measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
- operate film or sound editing equipment
- operate recording or broadcast studio controls
- operate special visual effects equipment
- operate audio-visual equipment
- give direction in audio recording studio
- confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- assess script quality
- review assembled film or video tape on monitor
- review film, recordings, or rehearsals
- interpret information to formulate story ideas
- organize story elements
- make decisions
- organize commercial artistic or design projects
- distinguish details in graphic arts material
- identify color or balance
- use graphic arts techniques
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- use creativity in graphics
- use creativity to art or design work
- create art from ideas
- develop movie sound track
- convey moods or emotions through music
- tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
- achieve special lighting or sound effects
- edit video film scenes
- use computer graphics design software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
- Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
- 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.
- Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
- Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
- Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
- Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
- Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.
- Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
- Develop post-production models for films.
- Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.
- Estimate how long audiences watching comedies will laugh at each gag line or situation to space scenes appropriately.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Audiovisual and Broadcast Directors
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreTelevision, video, and motion picture camera operators and editors
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More