What skills does a video and motion picture editor need?

A video and motion picture editor needs 20 essential skills including film production process, graphic design, motion graphics, multimedia systems, digital media. Core competencies include Communication, Developing People, Decision Making.

Will AI replace video and motion picture editor jobs?

The AI disruption score for video and motion picture editor is 63/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2654

video and motion picture editor

Video and motion picture editors are responsible for the assembly and cutting of raw footage into a logically and aesthetically-pleasant material for movies, television series, or domestic purposes. They reorganize scenes that have been shot and decide which special effects are needed. Video and motion picture editors work closely together with sound editors and music directors.

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

CommunicationAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Developing PeopleIntermediate

Decision MakingIntermediate

Sense MakingIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

film production processfilm production processThe various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.graphic designgraphic designThe techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.motion graphicsmotion graphicsThe techniques and software for creating the illusion of motion such as keyframing, Adobe After Effects, and Nuke.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.consult with motion picture producerconsult with motion picture producerConsult with a motion picture producer about requirements, deadlines, budget, and other specifications.consult with production directorconsult with production directorConsult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.supervise video and motion picture editing teamsupervise video and motion picture editing teamSupervise multimedia artists and other members of the video and motion picture editing team to make sure editing is done on time and according to the creative vision of the production team.create rough cutcreate rough cutDeliver a programme/film following the first editing process. Indicate future improvements.familiarise with personal directing stylesfamiliarise with personal directing stylesUnderstand and analyse the behaviour of specific directors.watch sceneswatch scenesWatch raw scenes and shots after shooting to ensure quality. Decide which shots will be used and what needs to be edited.put uncut recordings into computerput uncut recordings into computerPut uncut footage and sound into files on the computer.finish project within budgetfinish project within budgetMake sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.synchronise sound with imagessynchronise sound with imagesSynchronise recorded sound with footage.analyse a scriptanalyse a scriptBreak down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.search databasessearch databasesSearch for information or people using databases.follow directions of the artistic directorfollow directions of the artistic directorFollow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.cut raw footage digitallycut raw footage digitallyDigitally cut video footage to put together the sequence of the film and decide what is usable.supervise equipmentsupervise equipmentStart up and shut down equipment; identify and troubleshoot technical problems and conduct minor repairs. Monitor control equipment in order to identify safety and environmental hazards.

Optional (33)

digital content creationdigital content creationCreate and edit new content (from word processing to images and video); integrate and re-elaborate previous knowledge and content; produce creative expressions, media outputs and programming; deal wit...Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopThe computer program Adobe Photoshop is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorThe computer program Adobe Illustrator CC is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the sof...photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.digital compositingdigital compositingThe process and software for digitally assembling multiple images to make one, final image.GIMP (graphics editor software)GIMP (graphics editor software)The computer program GIMP is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by The GIMP Development Te...colour gradingcolour gradingThe process and techniques for adjusting the colour composition of recorded motion pictures, video images or still images either by hand in a photographic laboratory or digitally.3D lighting3D lightingThe arrangement or digital effect which simulates lighting in a 3D environment.SketchBook ProSketchBook ProThe computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software ...Microsoft VisioMicrosoft VisioThe computer program Microsoft Visio is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...file-based workflowfile-based workflowThe recording of moving images without using tape, but by storing these digital videos on optical disks, hard drives, and other digital storage devices.graphics editor softwaregraphics editor softwareThe field of graphical ICT tools which enable digital editing and composition of graphics, such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to develop both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.computer graphicscomputer graphicsThe field that merges approaches from computer science and design. It involves the process of creating images, 3D models generation, as well as the rendering, texturing and lighting them. Its applicat...SynfigSynfigThe computer program Synfig is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by Robert Quattlebaum.draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.apply 3D imaging techniquesapply 3D imaging techniquesImplement a variety of techniques such as digital sculpting, curve modelling and 3D scanning to create, edit, preserve and use 3D images, such as point clouds, 3D vector graphic and 3D surface shapes.work with the camera crewwork with the camera crewWork with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...perform video editingperform video editingRearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, ...apply colour gradingapply colour gradingEnhance the colour of recorded motion pictures or videos by adjusting the colour composition either by hand, in a photographic laboratory or digitally by using image editing software.archive documentation related to workarchive documentation related to workSelect relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.advise supervisorsadvise supervisorsAdvise supervisor of problems, changes, or suggestions for more effective regulation practice or development activity.animate 3D organic formsanimate 3D organic formsVitalise digital 3D models of organic items, such as emotions or face movements of characters and place them in a digital 3D environment.create subtitlescreate subtitlesCreate and write captions that transcribe the dialogue on television or cinema screens in another language, making sure they are synchronised with the dialogue.colour grade images with digital intermediatecolour grade images with digital intermediateUse a scanning device to scan film negatives in order to digitally fine-tune them using image editing software.assist multimedia operatorassist multimedia operatorTake over tasks from the multimedia operator as required. Call cues for the multimedia operator or operate the multimedia equipment yourself.edit recorded soundedit recorded soundEdit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.render 3D imagesrender 3D imagesUse specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.create moving imagescreate moving imagesCreate and develop two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in motion and animations.develop animationsdevelop animationsDesign and develop visual animations using creativity and computer skills. Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, colour, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating ...design graphicsdesign graphicsApply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.convert different audiovisual formatsconvert different audiovisual formatsUse specialised software to convert data from one audio and/or video format to another.operate 3D computer graphics softwareoperate 3D computer graphics softwareUse graphical ICT tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender which enable digital editing, modelling, rendering and composition of graphics. These tools are based in mathematical representation of three-di...