[FTrain]

I was wondering if some of the pros here on the site might be able to give some advice on how to work into the business of digital video editing and production. I have had the chance to play around off and on for a while with FCP on a friend's machine and it is a lot of fun. But I wouldn't have any idea how to take that and explore if it would be possible to actually work in the field. Obviously it's possible, but I wonder if you could advise on how you got started, what schooling would be involved/necessary and how to get started, what jobs are entry level. Do pros actually use things like FCP (I know it's called "Pro" but that doesn't necessarily mean anything) or do real editing pros use much more complex systems.

Any advice would be welcome. I just don't know how to even start exploring this. Thanks in advance.

[Axo1ot1]

FCP is one of the top choices in the industry for DV editing. To break into the business, I reccommend you do what I am doing: go to NYU film school

[k2director]

"Pros" can mean anything: film and tv commercial editors tend to use Avids right now, though Final Cut is gaining ground in that department (Avids are very entrenched because they were the only game in town for many many years). News editors (working for the likes of CNN, local news shows, etc.) also tend to use special Avids that are made for workgroup editing. Documentarians, indie filmmakers, corporate/industrial video makers use Final Cut, Premiere, Avid DV Express, etc.

But Final Cut is a very sophisticated product, it's by far the best value for the money, it's more flexible than Avid's DV Express/Premiere, and it's gaining market share in all sorts of editing corners. You won't go wrong learning it, and can rest assured that what you learn conceptually will apply to any editing software, and that's half the battle. (by the way, time for a shameless plug: I wrote Final Cut Pro 3 for Dummies, so if you need a good book on the subject, check it out).

As for how to get into the industry, film school is obviously a choice--a great way to learn all aspects of filmmaking, and make contacts. But just don't expect that going to filmschool means you're going to work as a director. Most people that go to film school end up going into other areas--producing, editing, cinematography, sound design, etc. etc. Also know that going to film school doesn't guarantee you'll have a career--your success is more based on 1) your talent, 2) your hard work and hustle, 3) your contacts (not necessarily in that order). You can exploit all this without going to film school if that's not an option.

If you try to get into the industry without going to school, the best thing to do is work by yourself building your skills and volunteering to work on other filmmakers' projects--ie, there are tons of aspiring filmmakers that need an editor, but can't pay for it. Getting involved in these endeavors gives you good experience, and lets you build up your reel showing samples of your work. You can create your own editing projects--I once asked a commercial editing house if they would share some of their professionally shot commercial footage with me (stuff they had from past commercials), so I could practice editing on something that was well shot and looked really professional).

If you make a good reel for yourself, you can submit it to production companies, editing houses, wherever, and you're in the game...(no guarantees on how long this process would take, of course!) Or at least you can find an internship and build from there. Also, a good oppo for entry level jobs is often that of an assistant editor, who does no editing per se, but helps a real editor with all the logistics of editing--ie logging and capturing footage, keeping track of change lists, keeping hardware maintained, etc. If you have technical know how (ie, know the editing software and the hardware it runs on, and how the editing process works), then this is the kind of job you can get as well.

And of course, working in the editing field depends on you living in an area where editing is happening. LA and NY are two big markets, but there are many others. But if you live in Flint Michigan per se, there may not be too many opportunities...

[FTrain]

Is film school pretty much required? I've read things that make it sound like film school is much more targeted toward those whose ambitions are around directing. I don't really have that wish, at least not right now. I want to learn about the systems of film making and most particularly editing, which I think is the most interesting part of the process (at least as far as I know). Is the general route still film school? I do live in a major city (DC), so I'm not stuck with Flint isolation.

[k2director]

Nope, film school is not required. There are so many paths into this business, especially given your goals.

Like I said, the factors that will make a difference are: 1) talent (which will be demonstrated with a good demo reel you build over time) 2) hard work/hustle, 3) contacts (and again, not necessarily in that order).

Start by getting a good book on editing, and experimenting on your own with your Mac--Final Cut Express would be a fine learning tool, and only $300 (or if you're a student, you can get Final Cut Pro for the same price). When you have some confidence, volunteer to edit some indie filmmakers' film for free. Find an editing shop, explain that you want to learn, and ask if they'll give you some of their footage from past jobs to practice on. Build up good, professional examples of your work. Then start to look for paying opportunities...

There are probably other ways to go about this, but that's how I'd handle it...