Assistant Video Editor Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an assistant video editor. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an assistant video editor.
Who is an Assistant Video Editor?
An Assistant Video Editor is an individual who helps professional video editors with the video editing process. This can involve tasks such as organizing footage, cutting and splitting scenes and adding effects. Assistant Video Editors usually work under the direction of a more experienced video editor. They may also have their own freelance business.
Assistant Video Editors typically need a degree in video editing, film production, or another related field. Some experience in the usage of video editing software is also beneficial.
The first and most important responsibility of an assistant video editor is to make the editing process as smooth as possible. In the case of a feature description, the material is spread out over time. This means communicating with the camera and sound departments to understand their workflow and the process by which the material is shot, loaded, and delivered. Knowing the type of camera and type of footage files to be delivered will determine the post-production workflow and whether the footage will need to be offset and synced with external sound files.
The assistant editor’s tasks include preparing the editing system for the editor. The first step in preparation is to register the footage in the system. This means downloading the dailies from the hard disk and, if the project follows an offline/online workflow, transcoding them to the offline format. File organization is essential, not only in terms of how and where the files are uploaded but also in terms of file names.
Like all relationships in filmmaking, the relationship between the editor and assistant editor is one of trust, support, and teamwork. The editor must trust the assistant editor to organize and work with him or her to make the editing process run smoothly. The editor must also be confident that the assistant editor understands that there is a bigger picture. For instance, if the editor trusts the assistant editor, he or she can ask him/her to edit a rough cut of a scene that the editor will work on and refine.
Therefore, it is essential to watch how the editor sets up the story, as these rough cuts should have the same tone and emotion as those being edited.
Once the editor has finished and the picture lock has been achieved, it is the assistant editor who will take the project and begin the conform process. The assistant video editor will also be responsible for delivering the audio output to the sound designer.
Assistant Video Editor Job Description
Below are the assistant video editor job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
An assistant video editor is typically responsible for a wide range of tasks, which may include:
- Reviewing footage for content that must be removed to comply with government regulations or other legal requirements.
- Organizing and maintaining footage libraries to facilitate access to previously recorded footage.
- Checking footage for technical quality, including sound and lighting issues, to ensure that it can be used in a project.
- Reviewing interview transcripts to identify keywords that may need to be tagged for use in search functions or automatic captioning systems.
- Formatting video footage for use on websites or mobile devices.
- Performing basic color corrections, such as adjusting contrast or brightness, using computer programs.
- Checking footage to make sure it meets production requirements, such as length, format, and resolution.
- Preparing preliminary edits for video projects, including selecting clips and arranging them in the desired order.
- Performing post-production editing tasks, such as adding titles or special effects.
- Preparing material to be delivered to third-party vendors for sound mixing and color grading per vendor deliverables.
- Editing short-form video content daily in a variety of styles.
- Assisting senior editors in ingesting, formatting, and syncing incoming raw footage: basic edit prep.
- Assisting in creating video assets for social platforms.
- Creating title graphics and thumbnails if needed.
- Managing media for all footage and files.
- Researching and editing B-roll for video segments.
- Participating in briefings and brainstorming sessions for story ideas.
- Coordinating post-production, including preparing graphics and posting video stories to our CMS.
- Organizing shooting in the field and at agency headquarters.
Qualifications
Assistant Video Editors generally need the following qualifications:
Education
Assistant Video Editors usually need a college degree in film, television, video production, or a related field. These programs include courses in screenwriting, cinematography, directing, editing, and production.
Training and Experience
Assistant video editors usually receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or other experienced employees. This training may include learning the specific software the assistant video editor will use, how to organize and edit video content, and how to interact with clients.
Certifications and Licenses
Assistant video editors do not need certifications to obtain their position. However, video editing is a skill that can be acquired through educational programs offered by professional organizations or technical schools.
Essential Skills
- Project Management
Project management skills are important for assistant video editors because they help them manage their time and tasks. They often work on several projects at once, so they must know how to prioritize their workload and monitor the progress of each project. Project management skills also include task delegation, i.e., having assistants delegate small tasks to other team members.
- Organization
Organization is the ability to keep track of files, documents, and other work-related items. Assistant video editors often have to manage a lot of information, such as shooting materials, scripts, storyboards, and other project documents. Good organizational skills can help you fulfill all your responsibilities and complete projects on time.
- Communication
Communication skills are important for assistant video editors, as they help you understand the needs of your superiors. You may need to ask questions about projects or tasks, and communication skills can help you do this effectively. Communication also allows you to work as part of a team, which is common in assistant roles.
- Organization and Time Management
Organization and time management skills are important for assistant video editors, as they allow you to complete tasks on time. Video editors rely on the punctuality of their assistants, so you must plan your day accordingly and prioritize the most important tasks. You should also keep track of files and documents related to projects, as this allows you to retrieve them in case of need.
- Motion Graphics
Motion graphics is the process of creating animations and other visual effects for video. Assistant video editors often use motion graphics to create titles, lower thirds, and other elements that reinforce the message of a video. Motion graphics software includes Adobe After Effects, which allows assistants to add text, images, and other elements to videos. They can also use this software to animate these elements into moving parts.
- Creative Problem Solving
Video editing assistants often work with others to create a finished product, so they must be able to solve problems creatively. They may have to think of alternative ways to perform tasks or find solutions when they don’t have the equipment or resources to do so. For example, if a video editing assistant needs to edit footage from a camera that is not compatible with their editing software, they may have to be creative problem solvers to figure out how to convert files into editable formats.
- Audio Mixing
Audio mixing involves adjusting audio levels to ensure that all sounds are audible and balanced. Assistants often work with video editors who specialize in audio, so they must have a basic knowledge of audio mixing. This allows them to communicate effectively with their colleagues and know how to adjust audio levels if necessary.
- Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Assistant video editors often need flexibility because they may have to work on projects with changing deadlines, production schedules, and other parameters. Flexibility can help video editing assistants fulfill their responsibilities while maintaining a positive attitude. It also allows them to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
- Time Management
Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks to meet deadlines. Assistant video editors often work with other team members, so it is important that they are able to manage their time well so that they can perform their tasks while contributing to the overall project. For example, if an assistant video editor knows that he or she has to edit a piece of footage by a certain date, he or she may want to prioritize that task over others to ensure that it is completed on time.
- Video Editing
Video editing involves the use of computer software to combine and edit video footage. Assistants are often taught how to edit videos, which can help them support their superiors in completing projects. Video editors must also be able to identify the types of shots they need for a project and where these shots should appear in the final product.
- Color Correction
Color correction involves adjusting the color levels of a video to make it more appealing. Assistant video editors often use this skill when working with footage shot by different cameras or under different lighting conditions. For example, if one camera used fluorescent lights and another used natural light, an assistant can adjust the colors so that both videos are consistent.
- Visual Effects
Visual effects are the tools that video editors use to create special effects in their videos. Examples of visual effects are transitions, which are used to move from one scene to another, animations, which can be used for motion graphics or to bring an object to life, and color correction, which is used to change the tone of a video. Video editing assistants with strong visual effects skills can help their colleagues by creating these effects quickly and accurately.
- Storytelling
Assistant video editors often work with storytellers who have a clear vision for their projects. They use their storytelling skills to understand the message of the film and how each scene fits into that narrative. Assistant video editors also use storytelling when creating sequences, or individual scenes, for a project. They may plan the sequence by writing an outline and then creating a script for the sequence.
- Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is the ability to notice small details and make sure they are correct. Assistant video editors often have to pay attention to detail because they are working with footage that someone else has shot, so it is important for them to make sure that all the information in the footage is correct. For example, if a camera has been set up incorrectly or if there is an error in the metadata, this can cause problems during editing.
- Creativity
Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas and solutions. Video editing assistants often use creativity when thinking of ways to improve a project or develop unique transitions between scenes. Creativity can also help assistant video editors find creative solutions to overcome difficulties, for example, finding another camera angle when the original shot didn’t work.
How to Become an Assistant Video Editor
The main qualifications for a job as an assistant video editor are proficiency in nonlinear editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, AVID by Media Composer, or Final Cut X. Many assistant editors have a bachelor’s degree in film, broadcasting, communications, or a related field, but employers may consider candidates who demonstrate editing experience without a degree. You can seek internships with local media or advertising companies to gain hands-on industry experience while learning alongside professional editors. Some aspiring copywriters offer free services to their clients so they can cultivate their skills and build an impressive portfolio to use during their job search.
Where to Work as an Assistant Video Editor
Assistant video editors work in a variety of settings, including television studios, production companies, advertising agencies, and corporate video departments. They usually work regular office hours, although they may occasionally work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.
Assistant video editors work closely with other members of the video editing team, including the video editor, to ensure that the final product meets the client’s expectations. Working with delicate and expensive equipment, assistant video editors must be extremely careful and detail-oriented. They must also be able to work under pressure, as deadlines are often tight.
Assistant Video Editor Salary Scale
In the United States, salaries for assistant video editors range from $43,000 to $71,274, with a median of $55,653.