-
training as a video editor in NYC
I’d be grateful for advice about how to go about getting the training necessary to become a video editor.
I live in New York and am prepared to take 12 or 18 months away from work for intensive training here. I am comfortable with Logic, Audacity, and Photoshop, but video is something new to me. I’m actually interested in editing professionally on a computer, without the long-term goal of becoming a director or screenwriter (which I have observed in my friends in this business). Here are things I am wondering:
• What is the best way to start preparing myself to join a production company or to freelance effectively after those 12 or 18 months are up?
• Does it make more sense to start with an intensive course of study at a film school, or to try to apprentice/volunteer as soon as possible and hope for the best?
• What are the most effective programs in New York for my purposes, apart from basic training in Final Cut and related applications?Thanks for your suggestions.
-
3 Replies
-
I strongly suggest the FCP Pro Training. And after you do the courses, get yourself certified while you’re at it. 12 – 18 months full time learning is a bit extreme… give yourself a few months tops to learn the tech of FCP. If you can’t attend FCP training, then just get yourself a hold of a FCP training book. I like the ones from Lynda.com – a bit more conversational than Apple’s.
And between lessons or whatever, get online and do some fun tutorials for effects and such. And so you don’t want to blow your brains out from reading about editing all day. : D-Benjamin
——
The Hungry Frontiersmen – Sketch Comedy EXTREME!
https://youtube.com/hungryfrontiersmen -
Thanks.
So after I’ve done some of the training and gotten certification, how do I get projects to work on so that I can accumulate enough hands-on experience to make a real career of it?
-
Some good ways would be either to do some non-profit organizational work, contact em and say you’ll give them your editing services. That may even be a tax write-off… not sure. Also get invovled with the NY FCPUG (final cut pro users group). Basically a fcp club. Aside from those two things, Id say get on your favorite forums and put yourself out there. People will definitely take advantage of a free editor; just don’t let yourself get taken advantage of in a bad way. Doing it all for free after all.
If the networking stuff doesn’t grab you, you could do an assignment I had to do in school. Edit a trailer for a movie that doesn’t have one already, like a 1920’s flick.Cheers,
-Benjamin
——
The Hungry Frontiersmen – Sketch Comedy EXTREME!
https://youtube.com/hungryfrontiersmen
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up