A Career As A Film Editor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

A Career As A Film Editor - Essay Example The skill of an editor is extremely valuable in the post production process because film editing determines the quality and delivery of the resulting product. A film editor plays a significantly vital role in the overall film production process, in the film industry. This can be both as a television programs editor, or a movie editor. Film editing mostly involves the general assemblage of the footage to be viewed on the screen. It can also be compared to artwork such as the shaping of final exhibit sculptures form the various raw materials as provided by the directors (Dickens, 2008). The process of film editing requires that an editor should be in close relation with the director in the film production. This is because the editor needs to understand the storyline of the film just as the director because the work is a combination of ideas from the two parties in telling the story of the film. The editor mostly ensures of the occurrence of continuity which is the seamless unfolding of the story form part to part. The job of the editor officially starts once the shooting of the film or movie wraps up. This is because the shooting of a film involves random scene shooting mostly due to the convenience and other influential factors. In line with this, shots get disarranged and does not flow with the real story intended for the film such as having a scene of the beginning at the end and/or vice versa. It is, therefore, up to the editor to arrange them and link them to flow continuously (Knight, 2007). This requires long working periods and patience in working under strict deadlines and pressure. The editor formulates the imagery and synchronization of the various sound effects which may include the soundtracks, voice covers and/or sound effects. In the culmination to the final presentation of the film’s production, the editor also incorporates added visual effects. William Hal Ashby is a films editor based in Hollywood films Productions Company. He began his f ilms career in the 1960s in Utah, California. He got his big break by winning the academy awards for films editing in his editor role, in the film, â€Å"in the heat of the night† (Hal, 2006: p.9). Looking into his life from when he decided to venture into the career to what he has become in the film industry will be a considerable contribution into the research. Research Rationale The film industry has undergone revolutionary changes with the advent of technology (Dmytryk, 2004). As a result, there has been the development of a better film production and also the categorization of films as a complex world of production. In addition, more people have become interested in film editing mostly because of the recognition that film editors receive. The title of a film editor in the overall production and film making industry is eye catching for most people. Consequently, interested individuals need to understand the role of a film editor well because of the challenges, as well as the opportunities. They should be able to conduct their efficiently and professionally. As a norm mostly witnessed in many industries, the popularization of a role in production more often than not leads to the eroding of the value of the role and the end product. Therefore, in order to ensure that the integrity and efficiency of production of films by film editors is not at risk, it is vital to understand, carry out and uphold the integrity of the editor’s role in this fast evolving technological world (Murch, 2001). This is also in conjunction with the increased uptake of studies for the role of films editors by most students, as well as increased numbers of film