Film/video editor : Training

Learning whilst working within the industry is the key way to develop the relevant skills. A combination of observing experienced professionals and experimenting with your own work is the common way for editors to develop the required technical and creative skills.

There is also a variety of short course which editors may find useful and they are available at different grades. Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media and the British Film Institute (BFI)  provide details of a range of courses in film, television, video, radio and interactive media, in the Skillset/BFI course database .

Courses to improve and expand your skills and understanding may include training in graphic design, special effects and screenwriting. It is also important to keep up to date with technology and new equipment. Freelancers in the early stages of their career, particularly outside London, may choose to extend their skills into camera or sound work in order to keep themselves employed and to maintain a network of contacts.

Skillset Careers  can provide a significant reduction in training fees for established freelancers on a range of courses. The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU)  also has a firm commitment to lifelong learning and offers a range of courses.