Film editors take raw film footage and add music, sound effects and dialogue to create a seamless, cohesive story.

There are several lower-level editing positions available depending on the scale of a project, and many future editors perform.

An academic foundation followed by work experience is necessary to become a film editor.

Film Editor Education

Required Education Bachelor's degree

Other Requirements Internships and apprenticeships preferred
Projected Job Growth

Average Annual Salary $65000-70000

Education Requirements

Educational requirements for film editors vary because employment is often based upon experience and industry connections.

Bachelor of Art with a major in film and television, film studies or communications

Because film editors need to know how to work camera equipment, they may also major in cinematography.

Film editors may attend independent film schools, photographic institutes, community colleges and technical schools as well as traditional universities.

Curriculum

In all programs, students learn about filmmaking equipment and the filmmaking process.

This includes traditional editing methods, such as cutting and splicing, although films today are edited digitally.

Internships

Internships give students the opportunity to learn skills outside the classroom, such as editing techniques specific to a genre of film or television, from a professional editor or team of editors.

Internships also offer students industry contacts for future work.

Apprenticeships

Apprentices should be keen observers of the techniques and the processes of editing.

An apprentice is essentially learning how to become an assistant editor, the next step in the chain of employment.