Video editor
Career outlook for video editor
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£18,000
£18,000
Experienced
£45,000
£45,000
Currently employed in Scotland
9,200
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would bring together pictures and sound to produce a finished piece for film, TV or the internet.
You would be part of a post-production team that joins together material recorded by the camera and sound crews and adds any extra effects. You could work on projects from feature films and TV programmes to corporate videos, commercials and music videos.
Typically, you would:
- Agree a finished ‘look’ for the final footage with the director
- Transfer film or video footage to computer
- Check the footage and decide which shots to keep and which to cut out
- Cut and join shots using editing software
- Keep a clear idea of the storyline, even though you may be editing scenes out of sequence
- Create a 'rough cut' from the chosen material
- Digitally improve picture quality
- Use computer software to add titles, graphics, sound and any visual effects
- Put all the elements together, in order, for the final version
- Create DVDs or format footage for streaming online
On larger projects, you could be one of several editors with different jobs and specialisms. You could create the ‘rough cut’ as an offline editor, produce the final version of the footage as an online editor or edit the sound effects.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
38%
Part-time
14%
Self employed
48%
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- Time management
- Taking initiative
- Developing a plan
- Attention to detail
- Recalling
- Working with technology
- Verbal communication
- Cooperating
- Observation
- Creative
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
Although there are no set entry qualifications required to enter this job, some applicants have gained a qualification in a relevant field prior to looking for work.
An apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media (SCQF Level 7), a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in film & television, advertising, business, communication, marketing or media production can be helpful in this field.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
Useful subjects
- English (required by most courses)
- Maths
- Social Studies subjects such as media
- Technologies subjects such as graphic communication
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience that show understanding of the industry and digital skills such Skills for Work Creative Digital Media (SCQF level 4) or Creative Industries (SCQF level 5).
Qualifications such as the National Progression Award (NPA) in Digital Media Editing (SCQF level 5) can be achieved while in the job.