Interested in a career in editing?
Then here is some invaluable advice from veteran editor Duncan Hart.
Editor here. I've been a full time TV editor for over 20 years and always happy to offer advice to anyone wanting to pursue the noble profession of post production or putting pictures together.
As with most things in TV a lot of it is to do with who you know. So networking and coming into contact with potential employers is key.
The other thing is experience but it's a catch 22 situation - you can't get work because you don't have enough experience but you can't get experience if you can't get work. I completely understand how frustrating it is because I've been there. But please don't worry - if you're determined, you'll do it. And it's a lot easier these days to break in. But it takes one vital thing - patience. OK, two - patience and self belief. Be realistic. It can take a long time - often a number of years to work your way up.
Firstly - it's probably a good idea to work out what sort of editing you're likely to be interested in. Are you interested in what we call offline (the creative side , where the vast majority of creative decisions are taken) or online (the technical side - taking an offline cut and getting it delivered for broadcast). Are you primarily interested in drama or documentary? Personally I knew I wanted to offline factual entermainment and cut documentary, comedy, food and travelogue stuff. Which is what I now do.
One of the best ways is the traditional route and that's running at a post production house and working your way up. Normally via the library and the machine room you go to offline support and then assistant editing and then editing. But this route can take a while.
It's difficult to keep the faith as a runner because your goal seems so far away but if you remain helpful, cheerful and upbeat - people will take note. It's also a delicate balancing act as you dont want to come across as pushy but keen. I got my first breaks in the industry from people who enjoyed my company and thought I was probably a decent chap that they took half a chance on. And then when opportunities arise take them with both hands.
The other thing is luck. Being in the right place at the right time. I was incredibly lucky and started cutting full time in my 20s
If you don’t like the sound of the traditional route another thing to do is to build up a bit of a portfolio. Not a showreel - they're pretty pointless but a portfolio of different types of work.
Editing software is relatively cheap these days (and both Avid & Resolve have free versions) and you can get a half decent edit computer for not much money. (I edit full time on a M1 Mac Mini).
Once you're set up you can offer your services to local corporate production companies as a freelancer and build up a portfolio & contacts that way. Or you could collaborate with some local young filmmakers and network that way. Or get junior editing roles working with production on casting reels etc. You could combine all of these approaches.
Do some running and a bit of freelance work / portfolio / network building in the evenings / weekends. But don't burn yourself out, be honest about your availability and don't ever promise things you can't deliver. And don't ever work for free. (Unless it's your own little passion project or something you really really believe in.)
There are some good Facebook groups where low end editing work crops up. And that way you'll build up your portfolio, credits & contacts. Just don't apply for jobs beyond your experience and don't get exploited. As always it's a balancing act.
So my advice is to keep plugging away, get some running work, do some side projects and keep the faith. You'll get there in the end.
Good Luck!
I've collated a few useful FB groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641240146134227/?ref=share
https://www.facebook.com/groups/editjockeys/?ref=share
Film / TV jobs in general
Northern Freelance TV Production staff
Collaborations / Student Films
Collaborations, passion projects or student productions might be a good place to start. I'd probably steer clear of unpaid passsion projects but you might find something that you like the look of in this group, or this one.
Never do any work for a company or organisation for free though... (Unless it's a very small local charity)
Software / platform specific groups - useful for Tech questions / advice:
Da Vinci Resolve: here and here
Best of luck!