In order to be a film editor you need to have great people skills. People skills are key in working your way up in the

business world, because connections are a big part in getting that editing job you want.

Another thing that is important for editor’s to have is an eye for detail. People are going to be seeing the editor’s final work so it’s very important that the editor doesn’t make

any mistakes.

Creativity, artistic talent, ability to use editing software, and ability to work under pressure are also all important aspects

that make a person a good film editor.

A grade 12 diploma is the first step to becoming a film editor.

After high school, any person who wants to be a film editor should start gaining work experience anywhere they can while studying film in college. There are many colleges that offer courses involving film, with admission fees around $15, 000.

There are also tons of programs that offer training and certifications.

Almost as important as training and certifications though is connections. If you know someone that works with film, that can really help you find a job and work your way up.

Digital Film Production Courses (Vancouver)

14 week program - Digital Film Production Program Certificate

12 week program - Documentary Production Certificate

Part time evening/ weekend program - The Digital Film Production Certificate

Certificate in Film Production

Screenwriting and Writing for New MediaIntroduction to Film AnalysisFilm and Video ProductionAdvanced Film Production

Directing and Acting for Film and Television

The film editor’s start their work once production is underway. Once some taping has

begun, the editing begins. The editor works with the director and often a picture or sound editor to piece together the different parts of the movie, which can be a very lengthy job.

The editing continues through post-production, to perfect the movie. There’s many stages to

the editing process.

When editor Walter Murch, who has won three Oscars and is the editor of Jarhead, was

interviewed about his job as a film editor he said,

“My job as an editor is to gently prod the attention of the audience to look at various

parts of the frame," he says. "And I do that by manipulating, by how and where I cut and what succession of images I work with."

-Will have choppy transitions from scene to scene- Distorted audio- Transitions timed improperly- Transitions that distract from the film

-Will have smooth transitions that are effective and not distracting

-Good timing with transitions

-Audio that is clear and not distorted

-Music that enhances scenes and doesn’t take away from them

http://www.careerprospects.org/briefs/E-J/FilmEditors.shtml

http://www.langara.bc.ca/cs/dfp/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4994411