Film Editor Career Profile, Salary, & Job Outlook
What does a Film Editor do?
Film editors take footage captured during principal photography and assemble it so that it tells a complete, cohesive story in line with the director’s vision. They use the screenplay to guide scene development and select which camera angles to work within for the scene. Editors coordinate sound and visual effects in post-production. Editors often work under strict deadlines.
How much does a Film Editor make?
According to Ziprecruiter, Film Editors make a national average of r $28.62 an hour (as of June 2023). Entry-level film editors make around $38,000 annually, with senior-level film editors making $78,000 a year. This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company/studio, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the film industry?
Principal photography can result in hundreds of hours of rough footage. Editors sort through that footage and manipulate it, so it’s seamless to audiences. They create continuity, rhythm, and pacing in films. Skilled editors are necessary so that viewers have a clear understanding of the story.
What is the job outlook for a Film Editor?
Analysts have predicted that film revenue will grow to $392.34 billion by 2025. In addition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the field (including Film Editors) are expected to increase at a rate of 29% percent this decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Watch films and study how scenes are edited together.
- Play around with different editing software such as Avid Media Composer and Final Cut.
- Explore the NYU x Rolling Stone x IndieWire Film + TV Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Film Career Guide.
Learn from:
Judd Apatow, Film & TV Industry Essentials contributor,
Film director/producer/screenwriter/ comedian
Related Careers:
Sound Designer | Sound Mixer | Composer | Post Supervisor | ADR Recordist | Foley Artist | Music Supervisor | Production Sound Mixer | Assistant Editor | ADR Mixer | Foley Engineer
