Your Ultimate Guide To Selecting Film Editing Schools
Your Ultimate Guide to Selecting Film Editing Schools
In the current times, Film Editing has gained popularity as a career. Students wishing to follow their passion for being a part of the movie industry, often pursue these courses. Film Editing Schools are in plenty; therefore, it is necessary for you to be clear with what you want to achieve out of the selected program. In this article, we shall discuss the various aspects one must explore before enrolling in a film editing school.
Things to keep in mind when selecting a film editing school
When considering various film editing schools, you should focus on the following parameters: –
- Duration of the program
Some individuals wish to enter the industry soon, whereas others are more interested in pursuing a liberal arts education along with film editing. Different programs are available, so you must know your goals before enrolling into any.
- Faculty at the college
Professors are ultimately the ones who guide a student throughout his or her education. It’s important to know if your selected school’s faculty has practical experience or not. Generally, those who have worked in the industry themselves will be able to teach better, so even if you haven’t been admitted in a top film editing school, make sure that the faculty at your school is class apart.
- Location of the school
The well-known film schools are clustered around industry hubs. You should aim to attend schools in LA, New York or Vancouver as proximity to the industry allows teachers and students to take advantage of live action. Moreover, you can get amazing opportunities to work alongside filmmakers in the Industry. So, if you’re planning to pursue Film Editing in the States, be prepared to settle in LA!
- Salary and job opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018-19 Editions, the median annual salary for film and video editors is $62,760; however, this is subject to changes as per specialization in the field. Moreover, the job growth for such professionals is expected to grow by 12% through 2026! An increased demand in the use of special effects has led the movie industry in need of more film editors. So, these times are great to follow your passion for film editing!
Which are the best colleges to pursue film editing?
Selecting film editing schools in the United States can be quite confusing for many. Although there are numerous institutions that cater to this field, however, we have hand-picked a few that are renowned for courses associated with film editing. These schools offer a range of classes that foster creativity, storytelling skills and enhance students’ technical knowledge that is essential to become successful in film editing. Following schools must be checked out by you-
- University of Southern California
- Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, NYU
- University of California School of Theater, Film, and Television
- Rhode Island School of Design
- University of California, Berkeley
These colleges train student’s efficiently in sound image, frame, and sequence, production, animation, documentary and educate them on the latest technology in this field while simultaneously focusing on critical thinking and content development. Through various internships, film-making projects and close interaction with the faculty, students who graduate from these colleges often gain due recognition and success.
Time for introspection
To achieve your dream of becoming a reputable film editor, it is crucial for you to understand your preferences and to broaden your perspective. To understand the film editor within you, consider the following: –
-What’s your style?
Author of “Film Production Theory” Jean-Pierre Geuens believes that each student should opt for a school that goes in sync with his or her personal style. You should ask yourself whether you like to work on feature films, commercials, shorts or something else.
-Watching films!
To excel at a film editing school, you must have a thorough knowledge of script-writing, cinematography, visual effects, scenery, etc. Your school will no doubt equip you with this knowledge, but before school starts, it is highly advisable that you watch all classics and blockbusters. Don’t stick to one genre, expand your horizon and delve into diverse productions and do try world’s other film industries as well.
If you follow the guidelines in this article, we are sure that you’ll be able to pursue a film editing degree that suits your needs and ambitions. This is a creative field but also requires extreme precision and thought, both before and during your program. Hence, in order to become an acclaimed film editor, choose your school carefully!