Film Editing Roles and Pre-Production

The Editor's Role

• Ensures the story makes sense and cuts the footage to entertain the audience
• Typically starts as an assistant editor for short films, TV programs, or low-budget features before moving to major films and big TV dramas

Types of Editors

• Main editor: cuts the picture
• Assistant editors: work with the main editor, depending on the project scale
• Sound editors: work on dialogue and effects tracks
• Music editor: lays in the music tracks

Pre-Production

• Editor works with the director to refine the creative elements of the film
• Discusses story structure, script, and pacing with the director
• Assembles a team of assistant editors to check and refine equipment and facilitate liaison between on-set crew and post-production teams

During the Shoot

• Editor receives rushes and assembles each scene as the shoot proceeds
• Provides feedback to the director and key crew throughout the process
• Identifies missing shots and advises the crew accordingly

Post-Production

• Editor assembles the film in script order, using the best takes selected by the director
• Works with the director to refine the cut, shortening or removing scenes and adjusting the story sequence as needed
• Makes changes to increase the film's emotional impact, comedy, tension, or euphoria

Review and Revision

• Director and editor show the rough cut to the producer, who requests changes for creative or practical reasons
• Producer screens the fine cut to the distributor and investors, who may request further changes

Learn about the different roles in film editing, including the main editor, assistant editor, sound editor, and music editor, as well as their responsibilities in pre-production.