I'll be blunt... what do I @*%#ing need?

[Todd]

Hi Arcane, just wanted to say that I'm in the same boat as you at the moment and that from the interviews and jobs I have previously had the above advice is spot on.

Don't get upset about emails that don't get replied and all that crap, it's part of the nature of the industry. It really is a matter of persistance, there's a lot of competition out there so you just need to block out the bs and keep your eye on the prize. Good luck (from one unemployed assistant to another)

T.

[Daz]

I haven't read the book either, but from what I heard on the Avid-L, The Murch went completely out on a limb on his own to use FCP on a SAN over several cutting rooms. Apple apparently discouraged him from doing so!

Lightworks was a wonderful system when it first entered the market. It was way ahead of Avid in many crucial ways: for example, it had interactive editing in the timeline before Avid, whose timeline was a display only. Its media management was powerful and friendly, an area in which FCP still falls short. But it was principally the brainchild of a brilliant British inventor and when the non linear editing market expanded and Avid's development accelerated, Lightworks could not keep up a similar pace of development and it stagnated. The company was eventually bought up by Techtronix, who have pushed the online version (Heavyworks) on a bit but have done little for the offline version.

But many editors still swear by their Lightworks, keeping them lovingly restored, polished and in good working order! Bit like a classic car, I guess.

[Marc_Collister]

I agree with what has already been posted here and just thought I'd add my own experience to the thread.

When I graduated from college a friend told me a large production company was hiring. I didn't realize it was for a receptionist and applied. While I did get an interview, I didn't get the job, but two weeks later a production assistant position opened up and they called me. A big part of my job was assembling directors' reels on an old Umatic tape to tape system. One day the owner saw something I had cut together, just playing around with the system and he was impressed. He had been thinking about buying an AVID and it was the push he needed. In less than a year after starting, I was editing TVCs and music videos.

I'm not saying you should go to production houses hoping someone will buy you an AVID, but don't discount taking or applying for other positions that can lead to where you want to go. You didn't mention what your experience is, but also consider a tape op position or assistant editor position. My one regret about how I got to where I am is that I never assisted an editor. It's a valuable way to learn the craft, not just the editing, but client relations etc. I have learned all this, but it took me longer and some things I stuffed up because I didn't have a mentor to show me the ropes.

Hang in there and good luck.

[Arcane Azmadi]

Oh I've been checking in alright, I was just waiting for the right time to reply again. I'm very appreciative of the advice. Thank you all.

I think I do need Avid after all- I've got the Encore directory and indeed, about 70% of post-production facilities appear to use Avid. I can probably just teach myself, the same way I taught myself to use Premiere, but I need to get it first.

I also think I need to get mentored, which means I need to become a fully paid-up guild member. I'll do it ASAP, I just need the contacts too much.

By the way, how much do I need to know about dealing with hardware (i.e tapes, recording gear etc). I've never dealt with hard copy footage before, as all my editing work has been with DVD and .avi footage. I assume I'll need to know at least a bit, so where should I find out?

Again, thank you for all the help.

[E_Tedeschi]

To get Avid:

http://www.avid.com/freedv/

It's a cut down version of avid feature-wise, but the interface is all there.

Good luck!

And join the ASE.

e.

[rachelw]

Lightworks... haven't run into that for ages.

AVID is certainly the go in my books

As for FCP....well, I am using it at work now, the new hd4.5 version is ok, it's still not as neato as an avid, kinda clumsy but it does have a fair amount of latitude for the one-stop bells n whistles suite. I think that it's good to know avid, because you will get more high-end work, but if really you've not been doing any work you won't get a run in that sector first off probably.

What you do need to get work is a showreel. And some friendly contacts. If you don't have any experience it's unlikely that you'll get a look in on a decent project, because there are other more reliable editors out there, from an employer's perspective. Doesn't mean you ain't talented, but you need to find a way to prove it.

There are a few good ways to do this, becoming an editors assistant is something you ought to consider, as you will benefit from the experience of the editor you work alongside. Mentorship may be another route, although you'd need to look at what you really want to know - mentorship isn't per se about getting more work, it's about honing your skills in particular areas with mentors that are appropriate to your area of interest and particular skills. I think. Emma knows best about that.

You also might try to get a 'foot in the door' job as a vt operator, there are lots of places looking for compilers to work the arduous midnight to dawn shifts; you'll learn some skills, get paid, and wind up in the right place at the right time when something better comes along.

The most important thing I can really stress however is that regardless of what software packages you are familiar with, editing is a craft requiring a vast amount of technical and creative skill. I myself can use a variety of editing systems. But it's not really why I get work. Your sense of timing, narrative, style; ability to follow direction - all that good stuff - don't forget that editing is storytelling before it's about what software you're using. If you've not been paying attention to developing yourself as a 'creative technician' it will show in your work, and hold you back in many instances. So go learn whatever you want, but remember that those nle packages are really just a tool you use to edit. Knowing them does not in itself constitute editing. Probably sounds a bit high and mighty, but I've gotten work on jobs where I don't know the system because the producers like my style more than my intimate knowledge of a particular platform or software package. Your skills as an editor are entirely transferrable.

Fingers crossed for you.

Rachel

[Stuart]

Hi everyone,

I only found this website this morning via the AFC website and I have to admit it has alot of quality information. I am really beginning to realise that whilst my uni degree provided the opportunity to experience editing, the job criteria as editor and how one gets employment is something not delved into.

Not to derail Arcanes discussion but my position is very similar so I thought i'd add my questions here instead of creating a new post for similar questions.

My current position is a graduan uni student in BMedia(VisualProduction) who has worked on about 5 films, 2 of which I've edited. I love the process of editing and have developed a bit of a knack for it however I realise that 2 films is hardly a resume. This being said I won the best editor award for 05 and the other was shortlisted at the Canberra Short Film Festival, which whilst small in comparison to the experience here, i'm still hoping will help me get some work...

As such, in my shoes, what is the best way of getting out into the world?

+Am I best off taking out a loan and getting an editing system in the hopes of editing some short films and the like??

+Am I better off calling post-production houses looking for a tapes position or somesuch??

+I have just applied for associate membership (due to my lack of professional experience) is it possible to still apply for mentorship with this membership??

+Am I missing any options??

I guess ultimately I've just realised how sheltered my academic experience is, I wasn't expecting the workforce to be as it is and i'm still trying to get my head around whats expected and how one goes about doing this...

Thanks all for your help,

Stuart

[Neil Ryan]

Just briefly,
Two things:
1. Don't confuse knowing how to use a tool with being a craftsperson... (in the same way that going to church on Sundays makes you a Christian or standing in a garage makes you a car.)
2. Consider the kind of job you want and the kind of work you want to do; there's editing and there's editing ...

[E_Tedeschi]

Amen.