As an video editor, you shall be responsible for editing / assembling recorded raw material into a finished product that’s suitable for broadcasting on television / internet or may be in theatre. This is a key role in the post-production process and your skills can determine the quality and delivery of the final product. The given material may include rushes/camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects. In some instances you may be given creative freedom, while in others you’ll be required to just operate the necessary machines.
An Video editor is a mechanic who removes the unneeded and fits pieces of film together to make a finished movie. He is a collaborator who works with cinematographers and sound editors to bring sight and sound together. And he is an artist who captures a director’s vision and tells a compelling story. Being an video editor requires hours of looking through footage and then assembling a film a half-second at a time.It’s highly likely that you’ll be employed on a freelance basis, working on short-term contracts for post-production studios, television companies and corporate employers.
Job description
- Read the shooting script and discuss with director to understand his vision for the film.
- Make visits to the locations during shooting to gain a sense of how the shooting is progressing.
- Go through footage, once shooting is done, and select scenes based on their dramatic and entertainment value and contribution to story continuity. The editor is looking for the best combination of photography, performance, consistency and timing.
- Trim the segments of footage to the lengths needed for the film and assemble them into the best sequence to tell the story.
- Insert music, dialogue and sound effects, using editing equipment like Final Cut Pro, Avid Media, Adobe Premire Pro CC etc.
- Review the edited film, make corrections and prepare it as a first cut, or rough cut, for the movie director and movie producers to view.
- Make changes as requested by the director and producers, and prepare the final cut for release to the film house for production. The final cut may take an additional month to finish
[sources: State of California Occupational Guide and Learner]
Ajit Sawant 