Film/video editor : Career development

It is usual to enter this career as a runner or trainee and then work your way up to assistant editor and then editor. A proactive approach and a willingness to start at the bottom are therefore essential for developing and progressing in a career in this fast-changing industry. Be prepared to learn new skills, make new contacts, keep up to date with changes in the industry, and show a firm commitment to your job. It is essential to establish a good reputation and develop networking skills to succeed. Building up speed and bringing edits in on time, and therefore to budget, is important.

The number of entry level opportunities in regional areas is increasing, and flexibility as to geographical location is an advantage, especially at the early stages of a career. Aspiring editors could work unpaid for short film companies or get involved with student filmmaking in order to gain experience and build up a showreel. In post-production or broadcasting companies, progression may be from runner, digitiser or assistant editor to senior editor. Larger employers, such as the BBC , provide well-structured career paths. Experienced in-house editors may ultimately move to management roles.

For freelancers, career development takes the form of progressing from small productions to larger or more prestigious projects. Forging good working relationships with freelance directors, production managers and producers pays off in developing a network. As these colleagues move from job to job and into new production companies they are often able to bring preferred editors onto projects. Whilst relevant qualifications may be of benefit, career development is based more on evidence, experience and practical involvement within the industry, and on developing this strong network of contacts.