Roles and responsibilitiesEditor

Film-making is a collaborative process and many different people must work together to create the final product.

Part ofMoving Image Arts (CCEA)The film industry

Editor

A film editor cutting a programme in an edit suite

The editor works closely with the director, shaping the film’s raw footage into a polished final film. A good editor doesn’t just filter out the bad takes and assemble the good ones, he or she must also be aware of the film’s pacing and overall impact. Like screenwriters and directors, editors must also have a keen grasp of the story and how it can be best presented to audiences.

Roles and responsibilities:

During pre-production the editor will read the screenplay and consult with the director on possible approaches to the story.

During filming the editor will view each day’s , offer feedback to the director and will log the footage, marking up especially good takes or useful shots. The original rough cut of a film created at this time is called an assembly edit.

During post-production the editor will work closely with the director to turn the assembly edit into the director’s . The editor and director must pay special attention to the timing of scenes and the flow of the story.

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