A Beginner’s Guide to Working Conditions for Film Editors

Working in the film industry can be an incredibly rewarding career but before you plan your future, it’s important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. If you’re thinking about becoming a film editor, you should familiarize yourself with the expectations of the job. Working conditions for film editors are typically pretty safe, but you could face long hours and extensive responsibilities.

To help you prepare for a career in film, as a film editor, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to the working conditions for film editors.

Physical Working Conditions for Film Editors

Film editors generally work inside and are not subject to the extreme working conditions that other members of the film industry such as camera crews and film directors tend to find themselves in.

Occasionally a film editor will work “on-location” but even in doing so, they will have an indoor area in which they work preventing them from being involved in the elements or environmental hazards. 

Office Environment

Working conditions for film editors will likely involve engagement with others. Specifically working close to coworkers and being in an office environment.

Editors almost always share office space with others, working in close contact with members of the post-production crew.

For this reason, it’s important for film editors to avoid coming to work if they feel sick. As it is important for others not to come into work feeling ill. So as to protect from spreading germs indoors.

Work Hours & Travel

In addition to working indoors, the working conditions for film editors are mostly moderate. Without any major environmental or physical demands. Although there are times when deadlines are coming up in which the work can be demanding.

A film editor may be necessary to put in long work hours. Exceeding the typical 40 hour work week. Especially when deadlines are looming. Or if a project is running behind schedule. 

Generally speaking, film editors will have a set schedule of work time that requires the average 8 hour work day, 5 days per week. Making conditions relatively comfortable for the editor without any major pressure.

Travel is rarely required for film editors as they typically perform their work from an office. While travel might come up occasionally. Especially if an editor is to work post-production on-location. The typical work week does not require extensive travel or on-location hours.

Performance Related Conditions

The working conditions for film editors are typically those relative more to the mental demands. Which come from having to work in an office environment.

The need to work well with others, to put in mentally taxing work, and to perform the job correctly and accurately is important.

Editors make many important decisions regarding the film’s visual appearance. And are responsible for working closely with the producer and the director.

To ensure decisions that are made are those. Which are most suitable to the overall visual composition of the film and desired finished project. 

In Summary

Overall, working conditions for film editors are some of the safest in the film industry. If you’re considering a career in film, and you’re worried about the physical demands on many of the positions in the industry? Becoming a film editor might be an ideal choice for you!