DV Editing Career ? at DVinfo.net

Mike Cerx · November 28th, 2003, 03:16 PM

Hello. I'm doing a project on digital video editing (mostly about PC NLE software). But I had a few questions about the career path and what it entails. Any information is appreciated.

Questions:

1) What kind of path do u take to in order gain experience with non-linear editing? (EX: Internships)

2) Does a film degree help?

3) What kind of editing jobs do you take on? Do you contract out your services or do you work for a company?

4) Do companies prefer editors with PC NLE experience? (EX: Do they like Avid Media Composer over Final Cut Pro)

5) What’s your favorite color? ( hehehe... I always ask this question when I meet people :D)

Any help is appreciated and thanks for your time. Have a great holiday.

Cheers mate!

-Mike Cerx

Mike Rehmus · November 28th, 2003, 08:55 PM

Probably one of the better sources for information would be the film schools. Usually found in the major metro areas. Easy to find on the Web.

Unless you are unusually gifted, studying film making is a good path on which to start.

Anybody can read the owners manual and edit something. Great editing takes study and experience and feedback from people who know all about it.

Blue

Jon Yurek · November 30th, 2003, 10:05 PM

I've gained all my knowledge the practical way. I don't have a film degree (although I'd like one), and I take jobs doing indie films and my own films to get more experience. I like to think that I do a pretty good job, although I'm sure that I could be doing things differently that I haven't learned yet.

I don't know if this helps you at all. :)

Oh, and green.

Ken Tanaka · November 30th, 2003, 11:21 PM

Mike,
I don't have answers for you, but browsing through the site of the American Cinema Editors, the trade organization for editors (A.C.E.), may provide you with some tips.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · November 30th, 2003, 11:39 PM

Re: film school, several good posts have been made on this subject that you'll find with a quick search.

Mike Cerx · December 2nd, 2003, 08:32 PM

Thanks 4 the feed back. I appreciate it.

Cheers mate!

-Mike

Martin Garrison · December 2nd, 2003, 09:00 PM

1) Started out in production(floor crew) for local affiliate. Had experience editing at home, at school and as volunteer. Eventually moved to tape-op, then technical director, a couple other jobs then writer/producer, but I edited most of my own spots.

2) Definetly helps, but not necessary. My degree is in Journalism, but anyone at school could volunteer for the school station. If you don't study RTF you need to read and study on your own. And when you land a job, hang with the guys who are obviously good and learn from them.

3)I edit full time for the local PBS affiliate. I volunteer for things, if I can make time. I make a little side money editing occasional corporate pieces or weddings.

4)Companies almost always ask for experience on the gear they own; So this is still predominantly Avid. Final Cut has broken into many of the small shops. Sometimes you will see job listings asking for premiere, media 100, or Sphereous. Despite the job listing, most production managers know that if you have experience on a couple of different NLEs you will be able to learn theirs quickly. BUT almost all companies want editors to be good with photoshop and After-Effects.

5)Gray-Blue or Brittish Racing Green.

Good luck on your project, feel free to email me if you need anything else.

Martin

K. Forman · December 3rd, 2003, 06:44 AM

1) I was a graphic artist doing sales for an entertainment website, and volunteered to edit the video. After a while, I became the chief graphics artist there, and made a whopping $10 per video.

2) I wouldn't know I don't have one, and in this area, I don't think it would count for much. But it would look impressive on the wall, next to my A.S. in Graphic Arts.

3) Having left the entertainment website, due to lack of work or money, I started on my own. Events and music videos are my prefference, and avoiding weddings at all costs. In the coming Spring, I plan to produce a feature length movie.

4) The few companies I have seen doing any hiring, seem to expect experience with Final Cut and After Effects, Avid at the very least. I learned with Premiere, and will stick with it for the time being.

5) Fade to BLACK

November 28th, 2003, 03:16 PM	#1
Mike Cerx Tourist Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2	DV Editing Career ? Hello. I'm doing a project on digital video editing (mostly about PC NLE software). But I had a few questions about the career path and what it entails. Any information is appreciated. Questions: 1) What kind of path do u take to in order gain experience with non-linear editing? (EX: Internships) 2) Does a film degree help? 3) What kind of editing jobs do you take on? Do you contract out your services or do you work for a company? 4) Do companies prefer editors with PC NLE experience? (EX: Do they like Avid Media Composer over Final Cut Pro) 5) What’s your favorite color? ( hehehe... I always ask this question when I meet people :D) Any help is appreciated and thanks for your time. Have a great holiday. Cheers mate! -Mike Cerx

November 28th, 2003, 08:55 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Probably one of the better sources for information would be the film schools. Usually found in the major metro areas. Easy to find on the Web. Unless you are unusually gifted, studying film making is a good path on which to start. Anybody can read the owners manual and edit something. Great editing takes study and experience and feedback from people who know all about it. Blue __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 30th, 2003, 11:21 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Mike, I don't have answers for you, but browsing through the site of the American Cinema Editors, the trade organization for editors (A.C.E.), may provide you with some tips. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

November 30th, 2003, 11:39 PM	#5
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Re: film school, several good posts have been made on this subject that you'll find with a quick search. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 30th, 2003, 10:05 PM	#3
Jon Yurek Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 64	I've gained all my knowledge the practical way. I don't have a film degree (although I'd like one), and I take jobs doing indie films and my own films to get more experience. I like to think that I do a pretty good job, although I'm sure that I could be doing things differently that I haven't learned yet. I don't know if this helps you at all. :) Oh, and green.

December 2nd, 2003, 08:32 PM	#6
Mike Cerx Tourist Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2	Thanks 4 the feed back. I appreciate it. Cheers mate! -Mike

December 2nd, 2003, 09:00 PM	#7
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	1) Started out in production(floor crew) for local affiliate. Had experience editing at home, at school and as volunteer. Eventually moved to tape-op, then technical director, a couple other jobs then writer/producer, but I edited most of my own spots. 2) Definetly helps, but not necessary. My degree is in Journalism, but anyone at school could volunteer for the school station. If you don't study RTF you need to read and study on your own. And when you land a job, hang with the guys who are obviously good and learn from them. 3)I edit full time for the local PBS affiliate. I volunteer for things, if I can make time. I make a little side money editing occasional corporate pieces or weddings. 4)Companies almost always ask for experience on the gear they own; So this is still predominantly Avid. Final Cut has broken into many of the small shops. Sometimes you will see job listings asking for premiere, media 100, or Sphereous. Despite the job listing, most production managers know that if you have experience on a couple of different NLEs you will be able to learn theirs quickly. BUT almost all companies want editors to be good with photoshop and After-Effects. 5)Gray-Blue or Brittish Racing Green. Good luck on your project, feel free to email me if you need anything else. Martin

December 3rd, 2003, 06:44 AM	#8
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	1) I was a graphic artist doing sales for an entertainment website, and volunteered to edit the video. After a while, I became the chief graphics artist there, and made a whopping $10 per video. 2) I wouldn't know I don't have one, and in this area, I don't think it would count for much. But it would look impressive on the wall, next to my A.S. in Graphic Arts. 3) Having left the entertainment website, due to lack of work or money, I started on my own. Events and music videos are my prefference, and avoiding weddings at all costs. In the coming Spring, I plan to produce a feature length movie. 4) The few companies I have seen doing any hiring, seem to expect experience with Final Cut and After Effects, Avid at the very least. I learned with Premiere, and will stick with it for the time being. 5) Fade to BLACK