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What does a film editor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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Film editor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real film editor resumes:

  • Manage multiple YouTube accounts, and prepare media for online release.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Produce numerous YouTube videos and trailers.
  • Work with foreign language to be translate to English subtitles in documentaries.
  • Head of the DVD department from production, distribution, and monthly invoice collection.
  • Support marketing with event planning and execution, and filming and photography of student life.
  • Work side by side with the director of photography to craft the look and feel for the film.
  • Analyze the internal, elastic and plastic strain energy of structure and predict the accuracy of FEA result.
  • Film editing, film and tape restoration, video editing for various promotional events, conversion of film reels to DVD
  • Edit all videos film by the company, including weddings, commercials, documentaries, real estate, and short films.
  • Receive all non-fiction submissions to be consider for publication.
  • Review and edit every submission of competition and general poetry and non-fiction.
  • Collaborate with editor-in-chief to shape editorial direction of this monthly lifestyle magazine for the Chicago/Lake Michigan region.
  • Generate daily content including news columns, write promotional copywriting and advertising.

Film editor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Film Editors are proficient in Music Videos, Film Production, and Adobe Premiere. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Hand-eye coordination.

We break down the percentage of Film Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Music Videos, 23%

    Edited music videos for convention competitions and filmed various scenes for local events using video shooting techniques learn from my education.

  • Film Production, 10%

    Acted as Lead Film Editor / Cinematographer for the primary film production company in Santa Fe, NM.

  • Adobe Premiere, 7%

    Served as a short film editor, script supervisor, and production assistant Edited film using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015

  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%

    Utilized AVID MC, Adobe Photoshop, and numerous other non-linear editing and graphics software.

  • Photography, 4%

    Film Editing, Poster and Billboard Design, Poster Photography

  • Feature Film, 4%

    Supervised production and post production teams for two feature films.

"music videos," "film production," and "adobe premiere" are among the most common skills that film editors use at work. You can find even more film editor responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a film editor to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what film editors do because "film and video editors and camera operators must communicate with other members of a production team, including producers and directors, to ensure that the project goes smoothly." Additionally, a film editor resume shows how film editors use communication skills: "coached team members to advance their technical knowledge, organization and communication skills. "

Computer skills. Many film editor duties rely on computer skills. "film and video editors must use sophisticated editing software.," so a film editor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways film editor responsibilities rely on computer skills: "used apple macintosh computer during school. "

Hand-eye coordination. This is an important skill for film editors to perform their duties. For an example of how film editor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "camera operators need to be able to move about the action while holding a camera steady." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a film editor: "content editing and author coordination for the international journal of theoretical and applied finance assistant to managing editor and editor-in-chief".

Physical stamina. film editor responsibilities often require "physical stamina." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "camera operators may need to carry heavy equipment for long periods, particularly when they are filming on location." This resume example shows what film editors do with physical stamina on a typical day: "created the physical layout for the section using adobe photoshop and indesign. "

Visual skills. Another crucial skill for a film editor to carry out their responsibilities is "visual skills." A big part of what film editors relies on this skill, since "film and video editors and camera operators must see clearly what they are filming or editing in the postproduction process." How this skill relates to film editor duties can be seen in an example from a film editor resume snippet: "film editing, visual effects, sound editing, sound designer, colorist, composer"

Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to film editor responsibilities. Much of what a film editor does relies on this skill, seeing as "film and video editors and camera operators should be able to imagine what the result of their filming or editing will look like to an audience." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of film editors: "created creative concepts for tv commercials and music videos. "

See the full list of film editor skills

The three companies that hire the most film editors are:

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Compare different film editors

Film editor vs. Audio visual technician

An audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment. An audiovisual technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and system procedures to perform setups and installment accurately.

The annual salary of audio visual technicians is $8,159 lower than the average salary of film editors.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both film editor and audio visual technician positions are skilled in dvd, clips, and hd.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between film editors and audio visual technician. For instance, film editor responsibilities require skills such as "music videos," "film production," "adobe premiere," and "adobe photoshop." Whereas a audio visual technician is skilled in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "audio visual equipment," and "ladders." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Audio visual technicians really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $51,349. Comparatively, film editors tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $57,119.The education levels that audio visual technicians earn slightly differ from film editors. In particular, audio visual technicians are 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a film editor. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Film editor vs. News producer

A News Producer supervises the editorial content of the news to ensure that news stories are produced and presented to the public in a quality manner. They collaborate with the news director to select and prioritize content to make the broadcast more attractive.

On average, news producers earn a $2,920 higher salary than film editors a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both film editors and news producers have skills such as "media management," "documentaries," and "clips. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, film editor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "music videos," "film production," "adobe premiere," and "adobe photoshop." Meanwhile, a news producer has duties that require skills in areas such as "assignment desk," "control room," "story development," and "social media sites." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

News producers may earn a higher salary than film editors, but news producers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $65,677. On the other hand, film editors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $57,119.In general, news producers achieve similar levels of education than film editors. They're 4.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Film editor vs. Photographer

A photographer is an individual who focuses on the art of taking images with the use of a digital or traditional film camera. They are knowledgeable in the proper utilization and care of high-end cameras. They generally work as a freelancer and often hired to capture memories of unique clients. Some are also in exclusive partnerships with event-related industries in such settings as weddings, graduation, corporate events, and even commercial shoots. Apart from taking pictures, they also may be required to edit and prepare photographs to submit to clients or for publication.

On average scale, photographers bring in lower salaries than film editors. In fact, they earn a $17,720 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on film editors and photographers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "adobe photoshop," "photography," and "dslr.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a film editor is likely to be skilled in "music videos," "film production," "adobe premiere," and "feature film," while a typical photographer is skilled in "customer service," "excellent time management," "photographic equipment," and "professional demeanor."

Photographers make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $35,564. On the other hand, film editors are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $57,119.When it comes to education, photographers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to film editors. In fact, they're 6.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Film editor vs. Associate producer

An associate producer is an entry-level one position in the television and film industry who assists senior producers in putting a TV program or film together. Associate producers are required to write, edit, and organize scripts and run a teleprompter in newscasts. Most of the assistant producers are required to obtain a bachelor's degree and become editors, writers, or actors to gain experience in television and film. Associate producers are also often assigned to tasks with operational duties such as generating financial reports or status updates.

Associate producers typically earn lower pay than film editors. On average, associate producers earn a $4,409 lower salary per year.While both film editors and associate producers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like dvd, youtube, and media management, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A film editor uses "music videos," "film production," "adobe premiere," and "adobe photoshop." Associate producers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "sales floor," "control room," and "instagram. "The media industry tends to pay the highest salaries for associate producers, with average annual pay of $46,356. Comparatively, the highest film editor annual salary comes from the education industry.associate producers reach similar levels of education compared to film editors, in general. The difference is that they're 3.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of film editor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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