AMV Tech 4 Lyfe! (What schools for video editing careers?)

[rubyeye]

Rubyeye: So what programs would be better? A Video Production class or a Video Broadcasting one?

If you are interested in editing, then Video Production is what you should look into. Video Broadcasting is TV broadcasting and primarily trains in studio work and functionality (i.e. Cable News, Networks).

I'd like to do car commercials, by the way.

I did a car commerical when I learned the AVID editing suite. The hardest thing was maintaining continuity between the different cars as described by the audio track. I messed up a few scenes but it was a good learning experience.

You should take a look at BELIEF. They are a post production house who has done some incredible work...take a look at some of their car commericals to get an idea.

[Vancore]

You can find 'Just' editing schools, I found one right above Specs Howard School Of Broadcast Arts Inc called Media Powers in Detroit MI. The requirements for going to that college associates degree and a couple years of experiance useing editing programs. It was a 4 week Avid Xpress Pro class with an added bonus of a 2-week adobe photoshop class. They also offer services to take a hundred dollar test to become Avid Certified (I didn't take it). Going by what my Avid teacher said it was as good as the editing program that they had in NY but for less money and longer. The only real downside of going there was they didn't offer a job placement plan.. which is a pretty big downside if you think about it. Specs Howard had a placement system... So uh.. I guess thats all the real info I can give you on that.

For actually getting a 'job' job as a video editor I've also been given advice about getting an internship or getting a job at a news station. I've considered wedding videos and finding a place where they edit 'Home movies' for people (both of which I have to find first..). I've heard one of the best places to edit Car commercials is here in Detroit, Michigan. I've even detoured a video production house there that did just that a few years back (Universal Images).. probably just end up interning there since I do have somewhat of a 'foot in the door' leverage there. If I wanted anything better then that the best info I've gotten so far is to move to NY or CA... but I'm still gathering intel on this.

Well I hope some of this will be of use..

[TaranT]

Tarant: That only seems to be about animation, though. Not video editing?

Some of the links on that site lead to more resources that are worth looking at from a career standpoint. And keep in mind that "animation" is all over the place these days, even when it doesn't look like cartoons or CGI games. Some of those car commercials are using composited (i.e. edited) animation on top of live action video. If you study the ads you see on tv, you'll notice more of it. And not just the ads, but the tv shows, too (esp. sci-fi/fantasy). In fact, I don't think it's possible to get ahead in video production without knowing how to create and use CGI.

[madbunny]

Tarant: That only seems to be about animation, though. Not video editing?

Some of the links on that site lead to more resources that are worth looking at from a career standpoint. And keep in mind that "animation" is all over the place these days, even when it doesn't look like cartoons or CGI games. Some of those car commercials are using composited (i.e. edited) animation on top of live action video. If you study the ads you see on tv, you'll notice more of it. And not just the ads, but the tv shows, too (esp. sci-fi/fantasy). In fact, I don't think it's possible to get ahead in video production without knowing how to create and use CGI.

It's possible, but not very easy. If you're a specialist, then you need to have some serious experience behind you, or union backing. I used to work in an effects house down in N. Hollywood and the order of the day was whenever someone would ask: "can you do this?" the answer is always YES. I've worked on jobs where I had to buy a program on friday afternoon, and have a finished product ready by monday, sometimes sooner. So for those who checked out his link, there is a plethora of stuff there that the industry giants are using. If you want to get your foot in the door, it's a lot of hard work and networking (unless you get lucky or have an uncle or something already in, which I guess counts as luck).

He's right, just about everything has fast turnaround and a lot of sophisticated programs are used to make it happen. Ask anybody that's working in some aspect of the animation, editing, movie, or TV industry and they'll tell you that it's long hours... massive stress levels (sometimes amazingly awesome), and there are a thousand people out there that want your job. On the other hand, working with people that are at the top of their game is an awesome feeling and being able to point at a movie screen and say "I made that" is pretty cool.

[SQ]

The requirements for going to that college associates degree and a couple years of experiance useing editing programs.

So you have to already have an associate's degree to go there?

Madbunny: I see those SFX daily, but I thought other specialized people did that. So now I should look into 3D animation as well? My only background is regular Graphic Arts with good old Photoshop and 2D stuff. :/

[madbunny]

Madbunny: I see those SFX daily, but I thought other specialized people did that. So now I should look into 3D animation as well? My only background is regular Graphic Arts with good old Photoshop and 2D stuff. :/

It's just a matter of having more tools in your toolbox. If you want to make web pages or print design, then no. If you want to get into the hollywood industry then... maybe. Being able to do MORE stuff never hurt anyone. Someone posted on here that mentioned interning for CNN for something like ten years. To that person: would having extra abilities have made a difference? To be able to say; "hey, I can whip out those graphics in about 15 minutes" have been enough at some point to be able to move into another arena?

All the people that I know who are successful are good at getting stuff done, whether it's what they specialize in or not.

This is getting OT for the thread, PM me if you have more questions, or we can set up an AIM session.

[Vancore]

The requirements for going to that college associates degree and a couple years of experiance useing editing programs.

So you have to already have an associate's degree to go there?

Yes, an Associate in applied science computer occupations technology I grabbed from Mott awhile back. It worked, and I was glad to use it for something other then decoration. Of course my way isn't the only way, if you already had a job editing at your company, they may send you there for advanced training so you don't have to pay for it.. although that isn't assured its just something my teacher was discussing in class.

To keep on the subject on amv's I did show a couple of mine in class, my teacher had heard about them but never seen one and thought they were pretty good. Suggested that I might use some of em in a demo reel.

[Machine]

If you want to be an editor, from what I hear schooling isn't all that important. What you really need to do is just get your foot in somewhere, through an internship somewhere like the local news station. Prospective clients really probably wouldn't care about your education, they just want to see your experience, what you are capable of doing. That said, schooling certainly wont HURT you. You might want to look into graphic design, or perhaps you can find a program centered around broadcasting.

I agree with Alan on this one. I'm attending the University of Texas at Austin am currently the Production Director for KVR 9 in Austin. I've been rejected five times from the film program there because of grades but I continue to do work at the TV station, as well as edit music videos, short films, and commercials.

So while you sometimes won't learn editing with a higher education, it is always good to be around a source of media that you will have access to in or out of the classroom

[Machine]

DEMO REEL
Most production houses have demo reels online, study them to know how to make your own. However, a demo reel by design is an edited collection of various clips showcasing animation, visual effects, cinematography, composition, lighting, etc. So how do you make a demo reel showing your editing skills? That's a tough one. You could do it like AMVdeFans Promo video or simply string together a series of short clips from your various projects and just supply a brief info text at the bottom the sceen. There are lots of ways, it really depends on what matieral you have to show. There is nothing wrong with using AMVs in your demo reel - if that's what you've been doing to learn how to edit...show it, but only show your best work(s).
.

The beauty of learning Anime Music Videos at a young age is how the knowledge will benefit you later on, especially when making your own DEMO REEL to present to companies.

Take a look at the demo reel I have put together. This is a great ice breaker to have in case you are ever pitching an idea for a movie, commercial, marketing stragey, etc.

http://www.mindwarpet.com/profiles/Carl ... 20Reel.avi