Are Old Editors employable

[Mark Suszko]

Are you hiring? 😉

[Mark Suszko]

You know the old saw about Guile and experience overcoming youth and skill. This is a business that is very much about building personal relationships and a reputation, and in that, an oldster retains an edge. When I first got into this business, I was the young turk learning to get along with and sometimes oversee co-workers older than myself. That took some time to learn how to do without hurting feelings or insulting skilled help, but I think I did learn it.

And now, many of my clients, and sometimes my temporary bosses, are so young, they hadn’t even gotten their driver’s licenses when I was already in my second decade of working my profession. That too takes skill to manage well. It also takes some patience to subsume your ego and concentrate on successfully accomplishing the work while getting along with everyone, regardless of their skill levels or experience. When it gets hard, I remind myself of the time I was on the other end of the telescope. Also, that my famuily likes to eat every day:-) Every day is a new chance to practice client/co-worker contact and relationship skills of all kinds. I’m still learning.

But you know, who said you ever had to stop learning? Why not have Junior train you up and keep challenging you to match him? Have you tried collaborating with him on a project? Keep “sharpening the saw” as they say, sharpen it every day, or you start to rust.

[James Dow]

When I’m loading up my production kit I now have to remember my bi-focals and/or reading glasses. I can’t hear the audio quite as well as I once did, either. And those steadi-cam gigs are now out of the question. And humping gear at 49 and counting sure ain’t what it used to be…but like my former co-worker Mark said, never stop learning. This internet machine sure is a great resource. Anybody need an M-Format recorder?

JPD

[Scott Sheriff]

Don,
This is a thread you should read.

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/17/871440

Scott Sheriff
Director
SST Digital Media
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com

[Alan Lloyd]

Remember, there will always be a kid who loves every cheesy wipe or move transition in FCP, has a pocketful of plugins and filters, and thus thinks there’s nothing left for him to learn, but you know how to tell a story.

It’s the difference between being an operator and an editor.

[David Johnson]

Don,

I was just going to recommend the same thread that Scott Sheriff did … there are also other good ones in that forum that are relevant to this subject (which is one I think about too at only 42).

Others who’ve responded already made very good points such as Alan Lloyd’s “the difference between being an operator and an editor”. At the same time, it also seems important to consider a point I tried to make in one of those other threads in a slightly different context … how often do paying clients know or care about the difference between an operator and an editor when it comes time to pay the bill? In other words, “are old[er] editors employable”? In my opinion, absolutely (due to the first point). Will we find it increasingly difficult to compete with younger guys who are able/wiling to work for half our rates? Especially in an environment where everyone has significantly tightened their belts? In my opinion, absolutely (due to the second point).

Obviously not an easy subject, but I for one am glad to see others both thinking about and talking about it.

[Richard Clark]

Of course “OLD” editors are employable, I am approaching 70, just turned 67 🙂 and this past year finished a couple of Indie feature films and a couple of short films and am now working on my own feature length Doc. It’s all a question of attitude. I began in film on a Moviola in the 60’s and kept evolving, flat beds until 1993 then back to USC where I fearfully embraced AVID and Computers. I designed a whole different console in a custom edit suite for myself in Hollywood and then in 1998, I embraced FCP and felt as though I were back in Film Editing mode. I have continued on FCP ever since and, while it’s not perfect, while it’s not a great editing tool, it works for me and I am totally comfortable taking on any sized project. I feel the real issue is that true film editors, those who learned the hands on craft of editing film have been taken over by producers who want eye candy and real story telling doesn’t need eye candy. Just my thoughts at 9PM on a monday night as I work in my studio.

Richard Clark’s kiwicafe.com
Film | Photography | Writing
http://www.kiwicafe.com/
Aotearoa New Zealand

[Grinner Hester]

I think you know the answer.
Somwhere along the line I went from the young eager editor who was not taken seriously and way underpaid to the overpaid vet who noone listens to because he’s a middle aged white guy. Can ya relate?
Bottom line is you’ll have to produce turn key videos because any post house will sooner pay 3 of your sons who have no lives or opinions before antying up for your salary. Yes, there is something to be said for experience but that’s what you’ll bring to the table by offering your onw clients finished videos. Post houses seek MTV watchin, doob smokin’ youngans they can work 70 hours a week at an annual salary you and I make in a month. Seek not employment… go grab some gigs.

[Richard Clark]

as I said “It’s all a question of attitude.” I well remember the great New Zealand author, Katherine Kansfield who stated; ” listen not to the voices of other but do the hardest thing for you”, I still follow that. I pay no mind to what others do or think, keeps me focussed on what I do and think, simple really. Pity our so called leaders couldn’t embrace that concept at times 🙂

Richard Clark’s kiwicafe.com
Film | Photography | Writing
http://www.kiwicafe.com/
Aotearoa New Zealand

[Don Walker]

Grinner,
That’s great advice! (So is everybody else’s by the way) Your right in suggesting that the older generation is probably able to deliver the total package better than the younger generation. (pre-production to delivery). And to those of you who said never start learning, I will re-open my Lynda.com account and get busy.
Thanks to All
Don Walker
Texarkana, Texas

John 3:16