The media and entertainment industry generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. However, no movie can get made without a film editor. Film editors are responsible for helping manage the post-production process and edit the film to its final form.

Are you interested in becoming a film editor? The comprehensive guide below can teach you more about the job outlook, salary expectations, and day-to-day activities. You can become a film editor in just a couple of years.

Film editors are tech professionals who work on movies to edit images, video, and other media. They sometimes work with others in the field such as directors and producers to organize videos and images for final production.

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Editing is an integral part of the filmmaking process. Film editors use special editing techniques to turn raw footage into a polished final product. Editors and directors usually work together during the editing process, but final decisions ultimately lie with the directors.

Aspiring film editors can attend a few different types of schools. Most entry-level employees have a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography, Video Editing, or a related field. Most employers in the film industry prefer hiring applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree.

The best school to attend to become a film editor is a university with a bachelor’s degree program in video editing or cinematography. You can learn film theory and get practical training. However, you can also choose a vocational school, community college, or other education track.

If you are wondering where to start your journey to become a film editor, below are some of the best education pathways that you should consider.

Vocational schools, also known as trade schools, offer technical courses that can train you for a specific career. These schools provide immersive, hands-on post-secondary training. You can choose a program in general art and design or digital media production.

Vocational school is a good option because it can provide more hands-on training than a university. You can work on real-world projects and get practice as if you were working in the field. Plus, a vocational school usually only takes one to three years.

Community colleges are academic institutions that offer two-year associate degrees. An associate degree only takes two years, and it is an ideal way to break into a specific career path in a short time. Community colleges are usually more affordable than four-year universities.

Many online colleges offer two-year programs in cinematography and editing, digital video production, and filmmaking. There are many employers in the film industry hiring candidates with associate degrees in related fields.

The best educational path to follow to become a film editor is a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography, Video Editing, or a related field. This degree will boost your credibility with employers because it is proof of your education and training. It can take four years to complete, but this depends on your schedule.

A bachelor’s degree can open up the door to many other job opportunities. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you are more likely to get a higher position in the field. You can become a lead editor and help organize the post-production team.

You can also find specific courses that can teach you specific film editing skills. Such film editor courses include editing technology, visual editing, digital video, and color correction. You can also learn specific software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier.

Most of these courses are fairly short and range between a few days and a few months. You can check online course providers like Udemy, EditStock, and LinkedIn Learning. You can gain all the practical knowledge you need to put a film together. Keep in mind that most employers prefer formal education.

Film editing requires hands-on practical experience. Most employers require a bachelor’s degree as the minimum to work in an entry-level position. However, there are other steps that you should follow along with your education.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to become a film editor.

Without neglecting soft skills, film editors need to acquire specific technical skills to work in the film production industry. Below are the most essential technical skills that you need to have as a film editor.

As a film editor, your salary will vary depending on the location and the film production or editing company. With that said, you can expect to earn around $61,900 as a film and video editor, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In addition to the reasonably high salary, the demand for film and video editors is gradually increasing. According to the BLS, the job market for film and video editors is growing at a rate of 18 percent. This is higher than the national average rate.

A film editor takes raw footage and converts it into a polished video. However, the job description is not limited to only one task. Below are some of the most common duties and responsibilities of a film editor.

A film editor takes raw footage and converts it into a polished video. However, the job description is not limited to only one task. Below are some of the most common duties and responsibilities of a film editor.

Pursuing extra certification in film editing will open up more job opportunities in the future. Not only that, but it will also make you eligible for certain job promotions. Consider the following film editor certifications.

The Avid Certified Professional Media Composer certification can help you get a better job in the field. It can prove that you have advanced skills and a mastery of specific techniques. Before gaining this title, you need to be an Avid Certified User. The courses are available anywhere worldwide at Avid partner schools and training centers.

One way to advance your skills and get better employment opportunities is to earn an Adobe certification. This certification can prove that you are an expert video editor in Premiere. Afterward, you can also pass the Adobe Certified Expert Exam if you want to work with other software.

Your job interview is the most important stage in the hiring process. You should prepare for your interview by becoming familiar with common interview questions. Doing so will help you practice your answers and become more confident.

Below are some of the most popular film editor practice questions you should consider using to ace your next job interview.

Depending on the career path you choose to follow, it could take you anywhere from one to seven years to become a professional film editor. A bachelor’s degree, which most employers prefer, takes about four years to complete.

With that said, editing films is a lifelong learning process. As an entry-level editor, you might take an extra two to three years to master proper editing. After that, you should be ready to edit any kind of movie you want.

Yes, you should become a film editor in 2021. Apart from the decent salary, most film and video editors are growing in demand each year. This means that as a film editor, you’ll always have job opportunities.

If you have a knack for film or working with computer editing software, you should consider this career path. There are plenty of ways to become a film and video editor, but a bachelor’s degree is the most useful. You should start learning today to become a film editor.