SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Film and Video Editors

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Editor
  • Film Editor
  • News Editor
  • News Video Editor
  • News Videotape Editor
  • Non-Linear Editor
  • Online Editor
  • Tape Editor

What do Film and Video Editors do?

Film and video editors are creative professionals who play a crucial role in the production of films, television shows, documentaries, and various other visual media. Their primary responsibility is to edit raw footage into a polished final product that tells a cohesive story and engages the audience. This involves selecting and cutting scenes, adjusting audio levels, adding visual effects, and ensuring smooth transitions between shots. Editors work closely with directors and producers to understand their vision and requirements, making creative decisions that enhance the narrative and emotional impact of the piece. They utilize various editing software and tools to manipulate visual and audio elements, contributing significantly to the pacing, rhythm, and tone of the final edit. Their work not only influences the overall quality of the production but also requires a strong sense of timing, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of storytelling techniques. In addition to technical skills, successful film and video editors must also possess a collaborative spirit, as they often engage in discussions and feedback sessions with other creative team members throughout the editing process.

What the work actually is

  • Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  • Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
  • Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
  • Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
  • Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Fluency of Ideas The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Knowledge

  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Fine Arts Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Associate's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Getting Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Video creation and editing software Apple Final Cut Pro · Screencastify · TikTok · YouTube
  • Web platform development software AJAX · Cascading style sheets CSS · Hypertext markup language HTML · JavaScript
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe After Effects · Adobe Creative Cloud software · Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop
  • Web page creation and editing software Brightcove · Google Video · Instagram
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Tools

  • Media control systems Audio patch bays · Video patch bays
  • Video editors Digital video editing systems
  • Digital video disk players or recorders Digital video disk DVD recorders
  • Video streaming system YouTube.com
  • Desktop computers

Who it suits

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Film and Video Editors earn in South Africa?

Film and Video Editors salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Film and Video Editors do?

Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers, Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment and Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.