[wdc]

Could anyone give me advice on the current state of careers in digital video production? Is the field completely saturated or is there opportunity? What does a person realistically need to do to get into the field--what kind of education? What tools must they know how to use? I'm curious because I am a great fan of photography, increasingly learning digital photography and fairly well versed in PhotoShop, but the dabbling I've done first with iMovie but since with Final Cut have left me very interested in exploring video further. I just don't know what I need to do to really have a chance or if the field is flooded with unemployed talent already.

Any advice from anyone in the field or knowledgable of the field would be very much appreciated.

[Axo1ot1]

I am headed to NYU film school in the fall, but right now I have a job in this field. Most of the people I work with have at least attended a technical film school (NYU, USC and UCLA have the technical, but also place a lot of emphasis on theory). Requisite proficiency includes using Final Cut Pro, using Adobe After Effects, Avid systems and photoshop. Regarding job market saturation, I have no idea. There are definitely some guys that really suck at what they do where I work, but generally if you have talent and enough technical know-how to find your way around you can make money.

[macbain80]

Getting started in editing does NOT require any sort of film school experience, or even experience using Final Cut or Avid. They both can help, especially the technical expertise, but most people just lie about that anyway to get in the door and learn the systems then... because you won't be forced to perform on them for the first year, anyway.

Basically, the one thing you DO have to know is how to drive a car. Every editor I know started out as a PA (production assistant) at a post-production facility. Scan job boards (I found mine through my college job board- but it was in LA so it was a little easier than if you're out of state). Then work up a resume, pumping up even basic (or less) knowledge of numerous platforms and software. You basically have to beg and plead your way into getting an interview, and when you get one, use big terms, mention proficiency with obscure programs, etc. and try to impress upon them that you know your sh**, which often isn't that hard, because the Production Managers (the people that head the editing departments) are usually manager types, and actually have little technical knowledge. Very important... tell them you KNOW that you want to be an editor, and you'll work any hours for whatever pay to get there.

Do that, and you'll get hired. Partially because they can't believe someone will be so gung-ho to get the thankless job of PA, which, as I said, consists mostly of shuttling tapes of editor's cuts around the city (again, assuming you're in LA or NY or a major city) and getting food for the producers and editors working late. It'll suck, and the pay will be awful, but it will get you in the door, around the machines and the raw material to edit. If they don't let you cut on their stuff after hours (for yourself), get out of there- it's a dead end. But if they do, put in the extra time cutting stuff using (hopefully) their high-end looking footage, and put it to tape. Either use that to become an Assistant Editor (next rung up the ladder) there, or use it as a reel to get an AE job at another post house.

It's a tough jump from PA to AE, and likewise from AE to editor, and often you have to change places to do it (once they think of you as the guy running tapes around it's often hard to change your image). Again, almost every editor I know (myself included) has gone through almost this exact process. If you can speed it up or jump a step, take the job immediately, wherever it is (within reason of course).

Be prepared to put up with a LOT of degrading sh** from abusive idiots, but stick to it, don't be afraid to jump places, and you will climb up.

Or, alternately, just get a Powerbook and Final Cut, and put an ad in the paper that you're an editing house! (My "starting out" experience was in the era of Avids being the only game in town and costing 100 grand. The editing game has definitely changed, and for the better.)

Hope my .02 helps, and good luck!

[bkatran]

what kind of salary could one i expect? i know thats a general question, so a general answer would be fine

[macbain80]

As a PA, 400 bucks a week. Yeah, it's bad. As an AE, you should be making 800 or so. As an editor, anywhere from 40 an hour and up.

[dlefebvre]

Originally posted by macbain80:
You basically have to beg and plead your way into getting an interview, and when you get one, use big terms, mention proficiency with obscure programs, etc. and try to impress upon them that you know your sh**, which often isn't that hard, because the Production Managers (the people that head the editing departments) are usually manager types, and actually have little technical knowledge.

But be carefull with that tactic. You never know the manager's background. I manage a big post-production department in Montreal. I was an editor for more than 10 years an a special effects supervisor for 3 years. I can be very technical in an interview and I can smell someone who's trying bulshit me. I'm not the only post-production manager with experience on the field.