how far can you make it as an editor

Can Video Editors Make a Living?

The term "video editing" describes the process of splicing together clips of recorded video and adding in music and other sound effects. Video editors may choose to use either a linear or non-linear editing method, or even blend the two. Non-linear video editing takes use of personal computers and specialised software, while linear editing relies on the usage of videotape. When editing real-time video feeds, however, the vision mixing mechanism comes into play.

A video editor is an indispensable member of the post-production team. Candidates for the position of video editor should have exceptional observational abilities, a sharp eye for detail, and an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects of digital camera use. In addition, they need to be an expert editor who can chop, divide, mix audio and video, etc. Vines of the Yarra Valley is your perfect wedding venue in Melbourne delivering fairytale weddings for the bride and groom.

There are many people that modify videos and share them digitally. If this endeavour is fruitful, they will gain notoriety, which could lead to better opportunities in the work or freelancer markets. The editorial team spends a great deal of time in the editing room each day, either working independently or with the help of the directors and producers.

It's not impossible to switch gears and edit in a different discipline, but it can be difficult. In other words, plan out your final destination and then act in a way that will get you there. Editing experience is always useful, and mistakes may always be fixed. If, however, documentary work is what truly excites you, then that is where your efforts should be directed. Want a Career in Game Show Production? How about being a wedding videographer? Those are two whole separate roads, so you'll need to shift your attention accordingly.

After that, you should know that there are two types of editors: staff editors and freelance editors. Freelance editing can lead to more varied projects, and day rates are typically greater than ongoing contracts. However, when you work for yourself, you're always on edge and searching for your next gig. That's to be expected alongside increased independence and adaptability. Typical work schedules for staff positions include lunch breaks and end of shift refreshments, and some of the more prestigious employers may also provide retirement savings and other perks.

editors on making a living

Table of Contents

Video Editing Jobs Available

Film Video Editing Jobs

Working your way up from assistant editor to senior video editor was the customary approach. There is no longer a need for assistant editors to assist editors in the physical process of cutting and splicing film. Film movies are often digitised after shooting and edited using an Avid. It will take a lot of hard work and luck to break into the film editing industry. If you're lucky, you'll get to edit a small indie film that ends up being a major hit.

Film Assistant Editor Jobs

The importance of today's assistant editors cannot be overstated. Assisting the editor on a feature film can be a rewarding and long-lasting profession. Good feature helps can make as much as scripted TV editors because of the difficulty and technical expertise required for the job.

Documentary Video Editing Jobs

These can take as long as several years or as short as a couple of minutes and edited fast. YouTube even has a channel dedicated solely to films that can be watched in 60 seconds.

As with most editing jobs, your compensation and employment status will depend on the location and kind of your cuts. The editing of documentaries, however, is more like to that of news broadcasts than scripted shows. The footage you have should tell a tale that has a beginning, middle, and end. And the editor and director will need to have superb organising skills to pull it all off. It is imperative that assistant editors are meticulous planners, particularly for larger assignments.

Television Video Editing Jobs

This will initially target national networks rather than regional or small stations. There is a vast divide between the editors of unscripted shows (also known as "reality tv") and those of scripted shows (such as dramas and comedies) in the television industry. Even though editors in the scripted industry may have a higher social standing, reality show editors often take home a bigger paycheck. Both are demanding in their own unique ways.

Oftentimes, a reality editor's duties involve a combination of editing and writing. A story needs to be found in the available film, and that story needs drama, tension, and closure. Expert editors earn a lot of money due to the unique challenges of the job, despite the fact that they often have producers helping them with plot development.

There are also opportunities to work on talk shows on television, such as in the editing of comedic skits for late-night programmes or introduction packages for daytime. Freelancing and contracting are both acceptable terms to describe these roles. Late-night talk shows frequently employ editors who stay with the show for many years, sometimes until either the editor or the host quits.

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News Editing Jobs

Whether for a national or regional newscast, a local newscast, or a newsmagazine. If this is something that interests you, getting your feet wet in a smaller market is a terrific opportunity to test the waters and get experience. Smaller towns often have their own news stations as well. The key to success in larger markets is to first master smaller ones. In the long run, it may be more practical for a news editor to stay in a smaller market despite its lower salary because of the lower cost of living there.

Scripted TV Video Editing Jobs

The challenges in the written world are similar to those in the unscripted world, but in very different ways. You aren't stumbling onto the narrative and constructing the events by yourself. The story and its pacing, as well as the actors' performances, are given far more attention.

Also, sitcoms can be either multi-camera affairs like The Big Bang Theory or Will & Grace, or single-camera affairs like Modern Family or The Good Place, cut in the style of feature films.

If you don't have relevant experience, you'll likely have to start as an assistant editor to break into any of these fields. As a result of their familiarity with the programme and the editing style, producers frequently give assistant editors a go when seeking for new editors. This is a terrific method to get your foot in the door, even if it will take a while before you have that chance.

There will be intense rivalry for jobs among film and video editors and camera operators. Those who have worked at a television studio or a film set before should have the best chances. Increasing one's proficiency with a variety of video editing programmes can boost one's employment possibilities.

money in editing

How to Secure a Job

The majority of online video editors have previously worked in offline media. In order to learn the ropes, they may apprentice with established film editors. An internship is a great way for newcomers to learn the ropes of film and video editing and make connections within the field. It's possible for skilled video editors to find work in television or radio stations after some time in the industry. Starting out at a smaller station is preferable because of the opportunity for on-the-job instruction. However, developing the necessary skills and experience to succeed as an online video editor takes time. You can find job ads for video editors in the newspaper or on career websites. There are other video editing guilds one can join. However, the best strategy to land a position is to research various studios, production organisations, and private firms and then reach out to them directly to enquire about available positions.

Television networks, post-production facilities, and businesses all need the services of online video editors. Freelancing is another option. Most entry-level positions are internships or temporary jobs. Experience allows them to transition into full-time roles. To go up the ranks in this field, one must take on increasingly responsible roles for prestigious companies and media networks.

There is always a high demand for skilled and experienced online video editors, but it takes a long time to train to become one. Online video editors can anticipate a 12% rise in job availability over the next five years thanks to the expansion of the television industry. Those who have mastered the subject matter will have the best job prospects.

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Working Conditions

making a living out of editing

The projection rooms, shooting stages, and cutting rooms where online video editors often operate are spotless, well-lit, and air-conditioned. Editors don't have set hours of operation. Online video editors often work long hours; some work more than 12 hours straight to meet tight deadlines. Since the entire process of programme transmission needs to be constantly supervised, those working with live television material are under enormous strain. It's no secret that online video editors spend a lot of time at their laptops and other digital editing gear. This could lead to recurrent headaches and discomfort in the eyes. Working closely with producers, directors, and other technicians is also essential.

Professional camera operators and editors spend most of their days in an office or editing studio. When filming a scene, camera operators and videographers frequently capture raw material.

Film and video editors spend many hours a day in editing rooms, either by themselves or with the help of producers and directors. The cinematographer and other camera crew members on a film or TV set may spend weeks or even months away from home on location. It is not uncommon for operators who must travel to carry heavy equipment to their shooting locations.

Many editors and operators work full time, however this varies by speciality. It's not uncommon for broadcasters to put in overtime when they're under the gun. While filming, those in the film industry may work long, unpredictable hours, but once production wraps, they sometimes have to wait for a job offer before they can start working again.

Salary, Earnings and Benefits

In Australia, a video Eeditor can expect a yearly salary of about $64,900. Wages start at 31,800 AUD and go up to 101,000 AUD (highest).

This is the typical annual wage with all the extras thrown in. Salary ranges for video editors are extremely diverse, depending on factors such as years of experience, specific talents, gender, and geographical area. A comprehensive summary according to several factors is shown below.

It is the level of experience that is the primary determinant in establishing the wage. The more years you've worked, the more money you'll make. Here's what we found when we looked at Video Editor wages by level of experience.

An entry-level video editor can expect an annual salary of around $37,700 AUD.

A person with two to five years of experience can expect to get $48,500 AUD annually, a raise of 29% over the salary of someone with less than two years of experience.

Moving forwards, a salary of 66,900 AUD per year is offered to those with between five and ten years of experience, a raise of 38% above that offered to those with between two and five years of experience.

Moreover, a Video Editor with fifteen years of experience can expect to earn 82,800 AUD yearly, a raise of 24% over the pay of a Video Editor with 10 to fifteen years of experience.

The average salary for someone with fifteen to twenty years of experience is 88,700 AUD a year, which is 7 percent higher than the average salary for someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.

Finally, personnel with over twenty years of professional experience receive an annual pay of 94,600 AUD, 7% higher than those with fifteen to twenty years of experience.

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FAQs About Video Editing

Video editing includes cutting segments (trimming), re-sequencing clips, and adding transitions and other special effects. Linear video editing uses videotape and is edited in a very linear way. Several video clips from different tapes are recorded to one single tape in the order that they will appear.

Here are the different types of cuts (and a couple of transitions) you should know.

  • Linear Editing.
  • Non-linear video editing.
  • Simple Cutting.
  • Bespoke editing.
  • Review for editing.
  • Editing based on a theme.
  • Multi-source Editing.
  • You Film We Edit.

Video editing can be an overwhelming subject to learn. After all, it is a blend of technical and artistic skills. Therefore, in the beginning, it is recommended to pick a video editing software and follow some tutorials to learn the basics.

Video editing is important because it is the key to blending images and sounds to make us feel emotionally connected and sometimes truly there in the film we're watching. So it's a safe assumption to say that video editing is among the most important jobs in the film industry.

Usually, any newbie can learn professional video editing in 2 months. However, you can also learn in 2 months. To become an expert video editor, you need to work on video editing projects for a video editor job. Through experience, you will acquire expertise in video editing.

Conclusion

Video editors can employ either a linear or non-linear approach, or even combine the two, depending on the project. Editing services can be provided by either full-time employees or independent contractors. Many different types of tasks are available to a freelance editor, and the day rate is usually higher than the pay for an ongoing contract. To get hired as a film editor, you'll need a lot of perseverance and good fortune. Working as an editor's assistant on a feature film can lead to a fulfilling and sustainable career.

Video Editing for Documentaries Task completion times might range from a few minutes to several years. Opportunities exist in other types of television as well, such as comedies and late-night discussion shows. Success in broader markets requires first establishing a foothold in niches. The ability to edit video in a range of programmes can open doors to better jobs. There will be a 12% increase in opportunities for online video editors during the next five years.

Demand for competent and experienced online video editors is consistently rising. Online video editors frequently put in long hours; some put in more than 12 hours straight to fulfil demanding deadlines. Video and film editors often work long hours alone or with other editors, directors, and producers. The median annual income for a video editor in Australia is around $64,900. This is the typical annual salary, including all bonuses and benefits.

A beginning video editor can anticipate a yearly compensation of about $37,700 AUD. In general, your salary improves in proportion to the number of years you've been employed. Salary for employees with over twenty years of experience is 94,600 AUD per year, which is 7% more than that of employees with between fifteen and twenty years of experience.

Content Summary

  • A video editor is an indispensable member of the post-production team.
  • After that, you should know that there are two types of editors: staff editors and freelance editors.
  • Working your way up from assistant editor to senior video editor was the customary approach.
  • There is no longer a need for assistant editors to assist editors in the physical process of cutting and splicing film.
  • It will take a lot of hard work and luck to break into the film editing industry.
  • The importance of today's assistant editors cannot be overstated.
  • Assisting the editor on a feature film can be a rewarding and long-lasting profession.
  • It is imperative that assistant editors are meticulous planners, particularly for larger assignments.
  • There is a vast divide between the editors of unscripted shows (also known as "reality tv") and those of scripted shows (such as dramas and comedies) in the television industry.
  • Oftentimes, a reality editor's duties involve a combination of editing and writing.
  • There are also opportunities to work on talk shows on television, such as in the editing of comedic skits for late-night programmes or introduction packages for daytime.
  • If this is something that interests you, getting your feet wet in a smaller market is a terrific opportunity to test the waters and get experience.
  • The key to success in larger markets is to first master smaller ones.
  • The challenges in the written world are similar to those in the unscripted world, but in very different ways.
  • If you don't have relevant experience, you'll likely have to start as an assistant editor to break into any of these fields.
  • As a result of their familiarity with the programme and the editing style, producers frequently give assistant editors a go when seeking for new editors.
  • There will be intense rivalry for jobs among film and video editors and camera operators.
  • Increasing one's proficiency with a variety of video editing programmes can boost one's employment possibilities.
  • The majority of online video editors have previously worked in offline media.
  • An internship is a great way for newcomers to learn the ropes of film and video editing and make connections within the field.
  • It's possible for skilled video editors to find work in television or radio stations after some time in the industry.
  • However, developing the necessary skills and experience to succeed as an online video editor takes time.
  • You can find job ads for video editors in the newspaper or on career websites.
  • There is always a high demand for skilled and experienced online video editors, but it takes a long time to train to become one.
  • Online video editors can anticipate a 12% rise in job availability over the next five years thanks to the expansion of the television industry.
  • Those who have mastered the subject matter will have the best job prospects.
  • Professional camera operators and editors spend most of their days in an office or editing studio.
  • Film and video editors spend many hours a day in editing rooms, either by themselves or with the help of producers and directors.
  • Many editors and operators work full time, however this varies by speciality.
  • Film workers may work long, irregular hours during production, but they must wait for a job offer afterwards.
  • In Australia, a video editor can expect a yearly salary of about $64,900.
  • It is the level of experience that is the primary determinant in establishing the wage.
  • The more years you've worked, the more money you'll make.
  • Here's what we found when we looked at Video Editor wages by level of experience.
  • An entry-level video editor makes $37,700 AUD per year. Two to five years of experience raises annual income by 29% to $48,500 AUD.
  • A Video Editor with 15 years of experience can make 82,800 AUD per year, a 24% boost over a 10- to 15-year veteran.
  • The average pay for someone with 15 to 20 years of experience is 88,700 AUD, which is 7% higher than for someone with 10 to 15 years of experience.
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