There are generally four types of film editors: film and video editors, music editors, sound effects editors, and assistant editors. Each has a very specific set of tasks related to piecing a movie together. A film and video editor selects the strongest scenes to include in the film, cuts those segments to a length that has the best storytelling quality and continuity, works with other editors to insert dialogue, sounds effects, and music, and reviews and corrects the edited version of the film. A sound effects editor records or obtains tracks of sound effects needed by the film and video editor, and puts them onto a soundtrack to be edited in by the film editor. Music editors have similar duties, but they also have to ensure music is the right length for a scene, find appropriate music from libraries if there is no original score, and sync the music to each scene. Assistant editors help the other editors in a myriad of ways and also schedule screenings for directors and producers.
The ability to reorganize information to problem solve is a very important tool for an editor to posses, as is being able to build and group different sources of information; knowledge of media production; knowing alternate ways of entertaining someone; strong computer skills; the ability to work long hours alone while retaining strong interpersonal skills; and, perhaps above all, patience.
As of 2008, film editing had a growth rate of about 28 percent. The average annual wage for a professional editor was $44,000. Since editing for film requires more skill than editing for television, the pay is higher in the film medium. It is important to note that the work, like film production, is seasonal. Editors generally freelance, working a few weeks out of the year. An editor's higher than average salary can make up for sparse employment time.
Getting a bachelor's degree in film production or editing is helpful for becoming an editor. Courses in basic editing, film theory and production, directing, acting for stage or film, and other art courses supplement a candidate's storytelling abilities. However, this kind of education can also be obtained by filming and editing your own projects, while simultaneously producing a reel of your work to submit to potential employers. As with all arts, the more education you can get in all areas of fine/performing arts and visual media, the more you'll have to pull from when creating new material.
While in school, students often get jobs as production assistants, editor's assistants, or interns in postproduction. While getting professional experience, most editors will want to join their local or regional chapter of the Motion Picture and Videotape Editors Guild of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to get the full benefits of working as a professional editor. Under union rules, apprentice film editors can be promoted to assistant editors after three years in the union, and assistant editors must have at least five years of experience to be promoted to an editor. Many editors create their own editing services company.