TV Editor

TV Editor

TV_Editor

Los Angeles, CA

Male, 38

I edit day-of-air video segments for a national television entertainment news show. I piece together 1-3 minute segments by laying down the audio of the script (the narrative voice-over), including any “sound bites.” I then take previously-shot footage, including, but not limited too, interviews, still photographs, and graphics. I also add music and a variety of effects to these pieces.

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Last Answer on October 03, 2017

Best Rated

Do editors usually work solo, or do you have a team around you while you're in the editing bay?

Asked by big ben about 12 years ago

It varies from project to project. Sometimes I work solo, other times I have 5 different people in the bay telling me what to do (which sucks).

Any advice on how to break into the field of TV editing? Considering it myself.

Asked by mork about 12 years ago

In college, I majored in broadcast industry communications knowing that one day I wanted to work in television. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-90s, I found work at a small production company answering phones and running errands. At this point I had little to no editing experience. However, I was given the opportunity at this company to become an Avid editor. I started out as an assistant editor, gaining hands-on experience and knowledge of editing. After assisting for a year, I was promoted to a staff editor position.

Do you have crazy hours, or is it manageable?

Asked by babycO about 12 years ago

Different projects demand different hours. As a staff employee, my current hours are roughly 9 am to 6 pm. However, I sometimes work nights and weekends.

If being on TV "adds 10 lbs", can you as an editor correct for that? And does the problem disappear when shooting in HD?

Asked by FatzDomino about 12 years ago

Sort of. We can stretch the video to make a person look a little thinner. Doesn't really disappear in Hd.

How do you maintain focus for long editing bay marathons? Caffeine? Medication? Both?

Asked by 123call about 12 years ago

My day is broken into two different edits. My morning edit has to be ready to air by 1 pm. There is no room for error and no time to focus on anything else. My afternoon edit, while no less important, is a bit less intense and it leaves me some breathing room as these pieces usually air at a later date. I cannot speak for other editors regarding “medications” to focus. I usually just have a cup or two of coffee and that seems to get me through the day.

I once heard that in most TV commercials, they cast the actor and "voice" parts separately...in other words, they choose an actor based on the "look" they want, but then they'll get a trained voice-over specialist to do the speaking, and then just dub it in as though it were the actor's voice. Any truth to this?

Asked by Kyle about 12 years ago

Short answer, yes and no. Most "good" actors have the voice training to pull it off. That does happen when there is a problem with the audio recording and the need to re-record. Usually if it's an off camera voice over read, they'll hire different voice talent.

Now that HD makes skim blemishes of on-air talent way more visible, does the onus fall on you to help correct for that?

Asked by GaryO64 almost 12 years ago

Actually that's up to the make-up artist. However, I've put on a "soft filter" effect to help. Some older celebs have this done religiously!