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Video production assistant vs freelance videographer/editor

The differences between video production assistants and freelance videographer/editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a video production assistant, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a freelance videographer/editor has an average salary of $48,481, which is higher than the $33,779 average annual salary of a video production assistant.

The top three skills for a video production assistant include video production, audio equipment and video content. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.

Video production assistant vs freelance videographer/editor overview

Video Production AssistantFreelance Videographer/Editor
Yearly salary$33,779$48,481
Hourly rate$16.24$23.31
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs58,4325,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4237
Years of experience26

What does a video production assistant do?

A video production assistant's job is to help the producer in any way possible. They are tasked with setting up meetings and auditions and may even be in charge of interns. They may be responsible for gathering reference materials and clips and determining which issues should be shown to a producer. They may also be in charge of shuffling crews or video recording and other equipment.

What does a freelance videographer/editor do?

A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.

Video production assistant vs freelance videographer/editor salary

Video production assistants and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Video Production AssistantFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average salary$33,779$48,481
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $54,000Between $34,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between video production assistant and freelance videographer/editor education

There are a few differences between a video production assistant and a freelance videographer/editor in terms of educational background:

Video Production AssistantFreelance Videographer/Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNew York University

Video production assistant vs freelance videographer/editor demographics

Here are the differences between video production assistants' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:

Video Production AssistantFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 69.8% Female, 30.2%Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between video production assistant and freelance videographer/editor duties and responsibilities

Video production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage HD camerawork and calculating wireless mic levels.
  • Develop the companies YouTube page to improve the companies social media presents.
  • Advance lighting techniques and how to format videos for private websites and public ones such as YouTube.
  • Create the companies first hunting DVD for retail sales in coordination with the lead video producer and company graphic artist.
  • Assist the video coordinator with off-season opponent scouting, game tape digitizing, logging, DVD production, and duplication.
  • Monitor conference bridges, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and provide complete documentation on conferences.
  • Show more

Freelance videographer/editor example responsibilities.

  • Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
  • Upload the video to YouTube and make some DVD copies for them to hand out to customers.
  • Experience in using DSLR cameras and HD video camcorders such as: Sony EX3, and Sony PMW 350K and others.
  • Edit and post the footage to the association's Facebook page.
  • Establish an online presence through the use of a Facebook page.
  • Authore and convert documents to HTML on a daily deadline-driven basis.
  • Show more

Video production assistant vs freelance videographer/editor skills

Common video production assistant skills
  • Video Production, 20%
  • Audio Equipment, 6%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 6%
  • Camera Operation, 5%
  • Video Projects, 3%
Common freelance videographer/editor skills
  • Training Videos, 38%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Camera Operation, 4%
  • Video Projects, 3%
  • Video Shoots, 3%

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