7 answers
Ariel
Student
Fontana, California
1
Question
Asked
658 views
How do I become an editor or designer but for movies?
I want to edit films like "Everything, Everywhere All at Once" or the "Spiderman: into the spider-verse and across the spider-verse" but I don't know how to get into the editing industry or what to do to start a portfolio. I am in school for Graphic Design for Digital Media but I just do not know how to build a portfolio surrounding editing.
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7 answers
Emma Matzke
CG Generalist
5
Answers
Covington
Updated
Emma’s Answer
The best advice I can give is to start! Even if that just means getting some friends together on a weekend and filming something fun you can edit later - or even filming something by yourself, documentary style. If money is tight, DaVinci Resolve is a great non-linear editor that professionals use everyday that doesn't cost anything. Another great way to gain experience and build a portfolio is joining 48hr film contests, there's plenty of groups for those online. The important thing is to simply get started!
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
44
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
Yeah - just start doing it. Peter Jackson made a whole host of terrible movies long before he embarked upon Lord of the Rings. And while you're working on your films, get a degree in filmmaking. Also, learn editing software like Avid, which is a big step up from Adobe products for video and film editing.
Tina Winograd
Editor writer
9
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Tina’s Answer
There are many ways to get into production editing. If you're still in high school and have a phone, you and your friends can shoot video of stuff and you can edit those pieces together to music. Make several vignettes. The more exciting, the better. There are several editing apps you can use on a desktop or even your phone.
I did a video to the music from Phantom of the Opera with my friends dressing up as Christine and the Phantom and shooting in an old theater. I edited it in black and white. Turned out good and didn't cost a penny, for the most part.
You can visit the local TV stations and talk with one of the editors there. They will probably let you watch them work and give you advice. If you live near a big city, there are production companies that you can visit and talk to the in-house editor. You can also apply as an intern with bigger production houses. Go to websites to see who is accepting interns.
Of course, there are colleges that have production degrees and you can apply to those. If you have edited some stuff to make a demo reel, then that will help with admittance.
In the meantime, research everything you can online about video/film editing. Read all the articles you can and subscribe to any sites that real editors have. The more you learn beforehand, the better.
Also, don't limit your learning to just editing. The more you understand about the whole process of creating a movie, the better of an editor you can be. For example, you want to understand how directors think because it's your job to create what the director has imagined the film to be. By understanding lighting and staging, you can better select the best cuts to make to bring the movie alive.
This type of job isn't something you can partially apply yourself to if you want to make it as real editor. You will have to sacrifice social time and sleeping time. You have to throw your entire self into tirelessly pursuing this job. Late nights and looong hours. Maybe moving away from family and friends to find an opportunity. If you don't want to devote yourself entirely, then I don't suggest this be a career you go after.
I did a video to the music from Phantom of the Opera with my friends dressing up as Christine and the Phantom and shooting in an old theater. I edited it in black and white. Turned out good and didn't cost a penny, for the most part.
You can visit the local TV stations and talk with one of the editors there. They will probably let you watch them work and give you advice. If you live near a big city, there are production companies that you can visit and talk to the in-house editor. You can also apply as an intern with bigger production houses. Go to websites to see who is accepting interns.
Of course, there are colleges that have production degrees and you can apply to those. If you have edited some stuff to make a demo reel, then that will help with admittance.
In the meantime, research everything you can online about video/film editing. Read all the articles you can and subscribe to any sites that real editors have. The more you learn beforehand, the better.
Also, don't limit your learning to just editing. The more you understand about the whole process of creating a movie, the better of an editor you can be. For example, you want to understand how directors think because it's your job to create what the director has imagined the film to be. By understanding lighting and staging, you can better select the best cuts to make to bring the movie alive.
This type of job isn't something you can partially apply yourself to if you want to make it as real editor. You will have to sacrifice social time and sleeping time. You have to throw your entire self into tirelessly pursuing this job. Late nights and looong hours. Maybe moving away from family and friends to find an opportunity. If you don't want to devote yourself entirely, then I don't suggest this be a career you go after.
Mitch Rankin
Business Development Representative
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Mitch’s Answer
The editing field is vast, with each editor specializing in different areas. At this point in your editing journey, it's advisable to practice editing as much as you can. While you could concentrate on specific areas like color, vfx, audio, or mastering, it's crucial to have a basic understanding of all these aspects. Senior editors, when considering you for an internship or apprenticeship, will expect you to grasp the basics but also show initiative in exploring specialized editing areas.
To build your portfolio, connect with professors and classmates to learn about current student projects. Approach the director, producer, or line manager expressing your interest in editing. Don't hesitate to ask. Professors are usually eager to use their classes as a platform to showcase student work and link you with those who have ongoing projects. Engage in as many projects as you can. Edit student films, music videos, Tik-Toks, Instagram clips, YouTube videos, podcasts. Training your mind to edit various media types will be advantageous when you begin editing feature films.
In your final college year, set up a LinkedIn account and network with editors from your favorite production companies. Connect with as many as you can. Review the credits of your beloved films and connect with everyone in the post-production department. If they accept your connection request, ask them if they'd be willing to have an informational interview to discuss their career path. If you conduct enough interviews, someone should recognize your potential and refer you to someone in their network looking for an intern or apprentice. Don't hesitate to connect with as many people as possible. Best of luck!
To build your portfolio, connect with professors and classmates to learn about current student projects. Approach the director, producer, or line manager expressing your interest in editing. Don't hesitate to ask. Professors are usually eager to use their classes as a platform to showcase student work and link you with those who have ongoing projects. Engage in as many projects as you can. Edit student films, music videos, Tik-Toks, Instagram clips, YouTube videos, podcasts. Training your mind to edit various media types will be advantageous when you begin editing feature films.
In your final college year, set up a LinkedIn account and network with editors from your favorite production companies. Connect with as many as you can. Review the credits of your beloved films and connect with everyone in the post-production department. If they accept your connection request, ask them if they'd be willing to have an informational interview to discuss their career path. If you conduct enough interviews, someone should recognize your potential and refer you to someone in their network looking for an intern or apprentice. Don't hesitate to connect with as many people as possible. Best of luck!
Emerson Welsh
Student Filmmaker and Movie Theatre Employee
4
Answers
Wichita, Kansas
Updated
Emerson’s Answer
Alrighty! So when talking about those BIG industry films, the term “editing” gets broken down into so many different types of roles and branches like cutting the clips together, vfx, sound, color, etc. Sooooo my advice would be to if you can, think specifically what aspect you want to do. But if you want to do all of it you can too!
Portfolios are easy honestly! All my friends that do editing for their thesis projects put together a short video combing all the projects they work on. Vfx artists and colorists do the whole “before and after.” But building a portfolio for editing is as simple as putting the “money shot” clips that you edited into a short video. If you can get producers to just go “oh that’s cool, who is this person?” then the portfolio worked haha. That’s it on a basic level.
I’m not the biggest editor, I’ll admit it, but I hope I eased some nerves or something idk haha.
Portfolios are easy honestly! All my friends that do editing for their thesis projects put together a short video combing all the projects they work on. Vfx artists and colorists do the whole “before and after.” But building a portfolio for editing is as simple as putting the “money shot” clips that you edited into a short video. If you can get producers to just go “oh that’s cool, who is this person?” then the portfolio worked haha. That’s it on a basic level.
I’m not the biggest editor, I’ll admit it, but I hope I eased some nerves or something idk haha.
Emeka Mbadiwe
Filmmaker
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Emeka’s Answer
Allowing people to see your true skills is what will get you noticed. I recommend using YouTube and search for “how to..premiere.” , and every video that pops up with the words “how to do something in premier” , watch it and study it. Take notes. Become a master. Then use and the site evatoelements to download random video clips and put together the best Editing reel that has ever been made. 😊😊. Then put it out there and let the world see. Also, YouTube search “editing reel”. And study different editing techniques that you see in them, learn them, then apply them to your work.
Marshall Main
Director, Manager, Videographer
75
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
If you want to do features specifically, I would start with Shorts (independent film). If you are at a school that has a film program, I would switch your focus so that you are running with that crowd. You will need credits to get gigs. Doing shorts and getting festival releases will help in possibly opening up opportunities down the road.
If you look at the credits on those types of films you mentioned, you can see the history of those editors on IMDB. You can find thier reels sometimes online as well.
You will also want to start networking. Find other filmmakers around you, work on projects with them. Start by building a reel on Youtube or Vimeo if you dont have your own site and keep it updated.
And be aware that you will not be working on studio features overnight. It takes years and lots of projects to get to that level. But as others have said, you have to start somewhere so get started on the small stuff and keep going.
If you look at the credits on those types of films you mentioned, you can see the history of those editors on IMDB. You can find thier reels sometimes online as well.
You will also want to start networking. Find other filmmakers around you, work on projects with them. Start by building a reel on Youtube or Vimeo if you dont have your own site and keep it updated.
And be aware that you will not be working on studio features overnight. It takes years and lots of projects to get to that level. But as others have said, you have to start somewhere so get started on the small stuff and keep going.