Film and Television Editors

The motion picture and television industries have experienced substantial growth in the United States. As more people have access to cable television and the Internet, tablets, and other technology, these industries have continued to grow. The effect of this growth is a steady demand for the essential skills that film and television editors provide. With recent innovations in computer technology, much of the work that these editors perform is accomplished using sophisticated software programs. All of these factors have enabled many film and television editors to find steady work as salaried employees of film and television production companies and as independent contractors who provide their services on a per job basis.

In the early days of the industry, editing was sometimes done by directors, studio technicians, or other film staffers. Now every film, television show, and video, including the most brief television advertisement, has an editor who is responsible for the continuity and clarity of the project.

The digital revolution has greatly affected the editing process. Many editors now use computer programs such as AVID, Lightworks, or Final Cut Pro to do their jobs. They also work much more closely with special effects houses in putting together projects. When working on projects that have a large number of special effects, film and television editors edit scenes with an eye towards the special effects that will be added. Digital editing technology may allow some prospective editors more direct routes into the industry, but the majority of editors will have to follow traditional routes, obtaining years of hands-on experience to advance in their career.