What Is The Career Map For A Hollywood Editor?

Did you know that it takes up to 10 years to become a full time Hollywood Editor? Yikes right? But honestly, if you have the patience and passion for this profession, I truly believe you will love it. For me, it’s the most satisfying journey I’ve ever taken. The process of learning from so many talented filmmakers has been so worthwhile for me. And I wouldn’t change a step in my career thus far. You’ll be surprised at how much fun and challenging the process is and you’ll start to realize why it takes 10 years to make it.

So let’s get to it - I wanted to answer this topic in written form because I think it will help everyone see a bird’s eye view of what it takes to get to the Professional Seat of A Hollywood Editor. Also these steps are explained in my “What is The Career Map For A Hollywood Editor Webisode in case you’d like to watch it in video form:

• Step #1: Post-Production Assistant (Non-Union)

  • Being a Post-PA (Non-Union) should be your first job to pursue.

  • Responsibilities include helping out post-supervisor, going on runs, handling lunch orders, and supporting your editing team in any way you can.

  • Best time to shadow Editors/Assistant Editors - always try to learn as much as you can from your team. This is the BEST time because you’re not responsible for their tasks and you can literally watch how they handle different scenarios first-hand.

  • Don’t be afraid to take intern, runner, receptionist, or logger positions. Just tell them upfront that you want to become a Post-Production Assistant or an Assistant Editor so that after you pay your dues working those positions, they’ll move you up properly.

  • Suggested time being a Post-PA: 6 months to 1 year.

• Step #2: Assistant Editor (Non-Union)

  • Find Assistant Editor positions in either Reality, Trailers, Commercials, Independent Features, or Documentaries. If you become an Assistant Editor in Independent Features, the movie needs to show in a legitimate festival for those 100 days to count.

  • In order to become a Union Assistant Editor, you need to accumulate 100 non-union working days as an Assistant Editor. See Step #3 for all the information on how to join the Union and its requirements.

  • Do informational interviews with Union Assistant Editors to start putting your name out there. You’ll always want to let your contacts know that you’re in the process of getting your union days so that when you do get them, they can help you make that next step in landing your first union gig.

  • Learn to be a damn good Assistant Editor. This is the time to really pickup the habits of being a great Assistant. Fun fact, Reality TV shows are often far more difficult than Union TV shows due to the faster paced nature.

  • Suggested time being an Assistant Editor (Non-Union): 1-2 years. Don’t get stuck in the non-union field. Once you have your days, you need to be actively looking for your first Union Assistant Editing gig. But also please remember to leave gracefully and in good terms with your non-union editorial team.

• Step #3: Join Contract Services & Motion Picture Editor’s Guild

  • Contract Services and the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild are two separate entities. You must join the “Industry Experience Roster” in order to be eligible to work on any union show. To do that, you have to submit paperwork to Contract Services showing proof that you worked on 100 non-union working days via company paychecks with your full name and “Assistant Editor” written on them. In addition to paychecks, they require you to submit a letter from your employer stating that you worked these days. All of the information can be found here at the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild website. Start there.

  • After collecting your 100 days, you can apply to be on the Industry Experience Roster here

  • Normally, people will join the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild once they’re officially hired on their first Union Assistant Editor gig so that they don’t have to pay the dues. I recommend doing that to save money. You’ll have 30 days from your first day on your first Union gig to join MPEG anyway so definitely do it this way.

• Step #4: Assistant Editor (Union)

  • This is a very celebrated step as you are now officially a Union Assistant Editor who can apply to work on all of those well-known shows.

  • As you gain more experience working union, if possible and if the opportunity arises, try to consistently stick with an editorial team. Consistency working with the same people shows on your resume that you are good.

  • You’ll start out as a second assistant editor or even an apprentice editor in the beginning but once you start gaining more experience, you’ll want to become the First Assistant Editor to an Editor. An even better scenario will be if that Editor will allow you to edit as well.

  • Try angling yourself to really prove to Editors, Producers, and Directors that you want to edit because if an opportunity comes up, you’ll want to be on their radar to land you your first Editing credit.

  • Suggested time being an Assistant Editor (Union): 5-7 years.

• Step #5 Hollywood Editor

  • All of your patience, practice and hard work has now got you to this point. You get a shot at an episode or you get a scene to cut. All I can say is Prove Yourself.

  • Stay late. Come in early. Do whatever it takes to make all of your cuts polished and final cut worthy. Don’t ever turn in a “rough cut”. Put all the bells and whistles in your first pass!

  • I always tell myself that I’m replaceable at any given moment. Remember that and your work ethic will change.

Well, there you have it. The Hollywood Editor Career Map. Now you can see why it takes around 10 years to become a full fledged Hollywood Editor. My advice is to take it one step at a time and don’t feel frustrated if one step takes you longer than my suggested times. If you want it enough, the opportunities will come your way as long as you work hard at it. People will take notice and don’t be afraid to tell your supervisors that this is your career map. Literally show them this page and tell them this is what you’re aiming for.

If you want to get my help on this specific topic, sign up for my 1-on-1 mentorship phone sessions here. We’ll go over a game plan that’s best suited for you and help you get on your way to becoming a Hollywood Editor. Thanks for reading this week’s blog and hope to catch you on the next one.

-Alfonso Carrion