Film and Television Editors

Once film and television editors have secured employment in their field, their advancement comes with further experience and greater recognition. Some film and television editors develop good working relationships with directors or producers. These editors may be willing to leave the security of a studio job for the possibility of working one-on-one with the director or producer on a project. These opportunities often provide editors with the autonomy they may not get in their regular jobs. Some are willing to take a pay cut to work on a project they feel is important.

Some film and television editors choose to stay at their studios and advance through seniority to editing positions with higher salaries. They may be able to negotiate better benefits packages or to choose the projects they will work on. They may also choose which directors they wish to work with. In larger studios, editors may train and supervise staffs of less experienced or apprentice editors.

Some sound editors may wish to broaden their skills by working as general film editors. Some film editors may, on the other hand, choose to specialize in sound effects, music, animation, or some other editorial area. Some editors who work in television may move to motion pictures or may move from working on commercials to television series or movies.