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L.A. Editor’s Salary
COW Folk,
I’m moving out to the L.A. area and finding some work. There are already a couple potential leads; but I’d like to be prepared in knowing how much to ask for. Got a decent reel that people respond very well to (for example, landed a pretty big directing job with it, funny enough – it was mainly a camera/editing reel…), and have quite a bit of experience shooting and editing from Texas, to KS, and MI, TN, and Atlanta; from DV now to HD… including documentary, a short, music artist stuff, and a Grammy Award-Winner.
As a contractor I’ve made a varying $25-$75 an hour for editing (oh, b.t.w., I use Final Cut at this point – sorry, Avid friends), depending on the client.
Like a lot of folks, I’ve got an award and nominations to put on the resume, along with taking part in winning producers awards and big DVD sales. SO! All that to say, I’m experienced, with around 5 years of production.
Hope all that wasn’t a waste of your time, but that maybe it could help you in giving a ball-park of what one can ask for from a post-house, editing either:
-Trailers
-National/International Promos
-Behind the Scenes
-Documentary
-Indie Features (okay, so don’t even talk about this…)Where I’m headed is writing/directing features… but I like the livability of a steady income in the meantime, you know? 😉
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the extended post!
-Joe Schmo
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1 Reply
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by-in-large you are subtracting alot from your hourly rate by being a jack of all trades. Most looking for an editor don’t watch videographer/editor reels.
As a freelancer, yuo can feel out the market at 75/hr then rework that if need be. It’s a good round starting point.good luck in the good lands, man!
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