So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby CrackTheSky » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:23 am

Thanks to Castor Troy's Tips For Becoming A Professional Editor, I've gotten several job offers and have already made over $50,000! Not only am I now the envy of a greater portion of the professional editing community, but I have multiple big-name studios competing to acquire my skills for their next hit movies!

Thanks Castor Troy!
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby rubyeye » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:44 am

You’ve written an excellent post, Castor, and I’d like to expand on it with a couple of my own experience and recommendations (if I may):

While your point of view is mainly that of an editor in the “Hollywood Film Industry”, it is NOT the only arena where editors can make a career - it’s just a matter of knowing where to look. Video game productions, "streaming" internet media sites, special effects houses, and local independent studios are just a few places I’ve constantly seen job offers for editors. Given the diversity of industries embracing video as a communication and delivery tool for their business, it helps to also diversify your skill set beyond just being an “editor.” First, it makes you much more valuable (i.e. hireable) to a studio because many editors often do multiple tasks besides just cutting footage - especially at smaller studios where almost everyone does everything. Second, you will find it easier to change careers later down the line if you every get sick of editing, or simply find you are better/happier doing something else.

I just recently began working at a start-up company as an Assistant Editor, and one of the most important skills I believe every editor must have in their arsenal is organization! Developing a system of labeling your media and grouping them in proper folders will make your workflow more efficient, and give you (and other editors) more time to actual be creative in cutting the project. In fact, it was because of this skill that another studio contacted me to hire on as an Assistant in helping to organize their media files during productions.

As for getting recognition .... I don’t know why anybody interested in “Fame & Fortune” would want to be an editor. Editing is about “Power & Control.” It’s about being the Masters of Storytelling and the responsibility of making (or breaking) people’s careers with a simple push of a button. I don’t want to be they guy on stage, I want to be the guy who makes the guy on stage look good - because without people like me .... he’s nothing.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Castor Troy » Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:47 am

rubyeye wrote:You’ve written an excellent post, Castor, and I’d like to expand on it with a couple of my own experience and recommendations (if I may):

While your point of view is mainly that of an editor in the “Hollywood Film Industry”, it is NOT the only arena where editors can make a career - it’s just a matter of knowing where to look. Video game productions, "streaming" internet media sites, special effects houses, and local independent studios are just a few places I’ve constantly seen job offers for editors. Given the diversity of industries embracing video as a communication and delivery tool for their business, it helps to also diversify your skill set beyond just being an “editor.” First, it makes you much more valuable (i.e. hireable) to a studio because many editors often do multiple tasks besides just cutting footage - especially at smaller studios where almost everyone does everything. Second, you will find it easier to change careers later down the line if you every get sick of editing, or simply find you are better/happier doing something else.

I just recently began working at a start-up company as an Assistant Editor, and one of the most important skills I believe every editor must have in their arsenal is organization! Developing a system of labeling your media and grouping them in proper folders will make your workflow more efficient, and give you (and other editors) more time to actual be creative in cutting the project. In fact, it was because of this skill that another studio contacted me to hire on as an Assistant in helping to organize their media files during productions.

As for getting recognition .... I don’t know why anybody interested in “Fame & Fortune” would want to be an editor. Editing is about “Power & Control.” It’s about being the Masters of Storytelling and the responsibility of making (or breaking) people’s careers with a simple push of a button. I don’t want to be they guy on stage, I want to be the guy who makes the guy on stage look good - because without people like me .... he’s nothing.


Exactly. Hollywood is only a small dot on the map. Even though I said there were 3 major cities for editing, you can find work anywhere if you're willing to look or you can even make work yourself. :up:
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby McDirty » Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:54 am

Pretty good post Castor. Some good info shared. I apologize if I'm jumpin in all of a sudden, there might some things I say that's already been said.

Ashyukun said:
The other part that I'd definitely reinforce is the it's very much WHO you know and not WHAT you know/can do in the media industry.


I agree.
I would definitely say 90% of the time, this is what lands most people their jobs in the media industry.

Here's a tip too that might help AMVers who are considering working in media:
It's also not just your skills and talent that's going to land you your job, but also your skills in finding people and networking people. A lot of times, people just sit around and wait for the phone call for their next job. The people who are more likely to have success in finding jobs are people who know how to find referrals to people up the job ladder. The first step is starting with the people you know already and go from there. Taking a career workshop or a course would certainly help in learning about networking people and referrals.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby JaddziaDax » Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:06 pm

Castor Troy wrote:
JaddziaDax wrote:This is a good post to show to people who tell me I should be a professional editor...
Also a lot of the same mentality is what drove me away from acting...


Oh man. If I were to write this post about acting, then it would be 10x as long and 100x as harsh. :x

I'm glad everyone feels more informed after reading this thread. I hope I didn't destroy several dream in the process. :?


Trying to get anywhere in the movie business (especially the Hollywood Scene) is all about who you know... as for acting you are right it's 100x worse.. I've already given up on trying to even imagine getting anywhere in that scene.

I came to amvs because I wanted to entertain people, and with what I do here I can do that in my own way and on my own time. I still try to keep with that idea..

Its mostly local friends and family members that tell me I should go pro, but I don't want to turn it into a job O:
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby outlawed » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:25 pm

Instead of editing go into video production business for yourself.

Setup a seminar scam and release infomercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYqDS9i8zJw

Or perhaps come to the realization that with the low cost of and quality from a DV cam you can make ez-mode softcore entertainment by visiting Mardi Gras. Protip: remember to have your friend carry a bag around with extra beads while you mysteriously claim but I'm down to my last one; pls flash 'em

Oh wait someone already did those =p
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby rubyeye » Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:54 pm

McDirty wrote:Pretty good post Castor. Some good info shared. I apologize if I'm jumpin in all of a sudden, there might some things I say that's already been said.

I agree.
I would definitely say 90% of the time, this is what lands most people their jobs in the media industry.

Here's a tip too that might help AMVers who are considering working in media:
It's also not just your skills and talent that's going to land you your job, but also your skills in finding people and networking people. A lot of times, people just sit around and wait for the phone call for their next job. The people who are more likely to have success in finding jobs are people who know how to find referrals to people up the job ladder. The first step is starting with the people you know already and go from there. Taking a career workshop or a course would certainly help in learning about networking people and referrals.

Adding to this, I recommend joining social networks specifically geared toward areas of Video/Film production like Creative Cow or Texas Filmmakers. Also, start getting involved with volunteering at conventions and film festivals. You can make "tons" of connections not just with the producers & filmmakers showcasing their work, but invaluably with other volunteers and the people running these events.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Brad » Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:52 pm

I've been meaning to add my thoughts to this topic for a while, but, I'm Brad. But I think I can schedule in a couple paragraphs. :aimkissyface:

What Rubyeye stated is definitely close to where I fall. While I agree with a bunch of the points Ryan made in the original post, to be quite honest, it's pretty film-centric. The fact of the matter is, there are VERY few jobs available editing films (even indie films. Editing features is an even smaller percentage). Granted I don't have any concrete statistics to back this up, but based on pretty much everything I've experienced first-hand and heard second-hand from both professors and working professionals, probably 70-75% of editing work is in the commercial industry. Another big chunk of that is for web-based video, music videos and television programs (though there's a lot of crossover between those). Then in a small percentage leftover is for the few editors who work on actual features. All of these different mediums have different methodologies and working conditions for editors. The idea that every editing job you do will be under heavy-duty scrutiny by a director is simply not the case. Today for example, I spent 8 hours in an FCP suite working on a commercial spot, and I spoke to the director/producer of it maybe twice throughout the day. I recently helped out on a 2.5 minute spot for the Chicago Blackhawks where the director was doing the editing herself. Basically what I'm getting at is, each job is going to be slightly different. Some editing jobs will be simple as hell and won't require the crazy long grueling hours of capturing, logging, drafting, revisions, etc. And some will take weeks of tweaking and long hours.

I guess my main point is, while as I said, a lot of what Ryan was saying is true, there are a lot of generalizations being made about what an editing job is always like, and the fact is, there are no generalizations. The big point I will definitely agree on is that editing in the commercial world is very much NOT like editing an AMV. They can certainly share similarities and the knowledge you gain from working on AMVs can help you transition into real-world projects, but it's very important to realize that just because you really love making AMVs doesn't automatically mean that you'd love editing for a living. However, I'd guess that most people probably already realized this. But for the few of you who have had this idea, it's important to think about the differences and make an informed decision about whether or not you'd like to pursue it as a career. My biggest recommendation would be to just go out and make a short film or a "real" music video or something that ISN'T an AMV but still requires substantial editing. Try it out and see how much you enjoy the process and the outcome. If you find that you're just not having the same kind of fun you used to have, then perhaps it isn't for you.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Megamom » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:14 pm

I worked in television for a few months, it really was hell for me, takes too much time editing choose the best scenes, edit audio, create templates and

Honestly I'll never be professional editor, I prefer to become a director :up:
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Pie Row Maniac » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:19 am

I passed up a job editing gay porn six months ago.

Wish I hadn't. :uhoh:
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Infinity Squared » Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:05 am

Brad wrote:My biggest recommendation would be to just go out and make a short film or a "real" music video or something that ISN'T an AMV but still requires substantial editing. Try it out and see how much you enjoy the process and the outcome. If you find that you're just not having the same kind of fun you used to have, then perhaps it isn't for you.


Certainly what really makes the dynamics of creating an AMV versus a professional video is to do with the fact that it's not really completely up to you how the finished product goes. You gotta work with people and working with other people totally changes everything. The few times that I've delved in more commercial or non-AMV type filming out there has shown me there's quite a bit to enjoy about having that kind of work but it's also full of frustrations...

Hence, I'll probably stick to my engineering job... the money is good :lol:
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Castor Troy » Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:13 am

Pie Row Maniac wrote:I passed up a job editing gay porn six months ago.

Wish I hadn't. :uhoh:


Those are the only types of jobs hiring. :x
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby ExSphere » Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:30 pm

This thread depresses me. From what I hear my openings in Austin TX are pretty good so i'll just see what I can get.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Brad » Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:58 pm

ExSphere wrote:This thread depresses me. From what I hear my openings in Austin TX are pretty good so i'll just see what I can get.

It shouldn't. Unless you were expecting that going from AMV'ing to real-world editing would be a total breeze. But if you know what to expect going into it and it's something you still want to do, then what's the problem? Sure it's not the easiest profession to get into, but it's also not the toughest. I think this was one of the biggest problems I had with the thread. As much as I love Castor, I really didn't like the whole "I'm here to crush your dreams" motif he had going on. How is that productive? There's a difference between preparing people for certain realities and being like "you're going to hate this, don't do it." (and yes I know I'm slightly exaggerating the tone, but honestly, only slightly). Especially when you realize that a lot of what is being talked about really applies mostly to film editing, whereas the much larger sector for this industry (commercials/television) simply works quite a bit differently. So, don't be depressed. If you have a passion for it and you enjoy it, then fuckin go for it.
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Re: So you want to be a "Professional Editor"? Read this first

Postby Castor Troy » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:51 pm

Brad wrote:
ExSphere wrote:This thread depresses me. From what I hear my openings in Austin TX are pretty good so i'll just see what I can get.

It shouldn't. Unless you were expecting that going from AMV'ing to real-world editing would be a total breeze. But if you know what to expect going into it and it's something you still want to do, then what's the problem? Sure it's not the easiest profession to get into, but it's also not the toughest. I think this was one of the biggest problems I had with the thread. As much as I love Castor, I really didn't like the whole "I'm here to crush your dreams" motif he had going on. How is that productive? There's a difference between preparing people for certain realities and being like "you're going to hate this, don't do it." (and yes I know I'm slightly exaggerating the tone, but honestly, only slightly). Especially when you realize that a lot of what is being talked about really applies mostly to film editing, whereas the much larger sector for this industry (commercials/television) simply works quite a bit differently. So, don't be depressed. If you have a passion for it and you enjoy it, then fuckin go for it.


Well, I kinda hope some people see this post as more of a subliminal message to pursue it if they really want to and to come back with *good* experiences. Although, I really wanted to warn people about the harsh realities without sugarcoating it which I felt was important, even though I overdid it a little. The original post I wanted to make 2 years back would have been a much more encouraging one since I was still new to it at the time. Don't get me wrong, even though I've had quite a few bad experiences, I've had a lot of great ones as well. Without the bad ones, I wouldn't have realized how much more suited amv editors are as producers/directors/writers/editors rather than just plain editors.

Of course Hollywood is just a small dot on the map for this profession and things are run differently everywhere else.

Sorry if my post came off that way Brad. :?
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