Role · Post-production
Choosing every cut, with the director, until the story works.
The editor heads the cutting room and shapes the film or episode from the rushes to picture lock.
The job
You choose performances, find each scene's rhythm and build the story. During the shoot you watch every take and cut an assembly, so the director knows what they have and what's missing.
After wrap you work beside the director on their cut, then take notes from producers and the broadcaster or platform. You decide with the director when it's locked. You're often the first to see the film whole.
A typical day (during the shoot)
- Watch yesterday's rushes with the script supervisor's notes.
- Cut the scenes as they come in, in script order.
- Flag to the director and producers anything that might need a pick-up shot.
- Lay temp music and effects so a cut can be screened.
- Send a scene to the producers at the end of the day.
After wrap, the day moves to the director's chair beside you, and notes sessions with producers.
Skills
- Story and performance judgement.
- Rhythm and pace, and knowing what to leave out.
- Avid Media Composer at speed.
- Calm, honest collaboration with the director under pressure.
- Taking notes from several voices and finding the version that works.
Reporting lines
You work to the director and report to the producers. On a series, the lead editor may also work closely with the showrunner or executive producer. Assistant editors, assembly editors and trainees report to you. The post-production supervisor runs the schedule around you.
How people get in
Most editors spend years as assistant editors, then cut scenes as assembly editors, then step up on shorts, documentaries, lower-budget dramas or second blocks of a series. Film school editing courses, including at the NFTS, are another route. Short films and music videos let you build a reel.
Next step up
Editor is the head of the cutting room. Progression is to bigger productions, lead editor on a series, or supervising editor across several blocks.
Find out more
- ScreenSkills: editor profile
- ScreenSkills: post-production career map (PDF)
- Post rates: the post cards on the Bectu rate cards index
Skills checklist · Editorial and post
Editor
Head of the cutting room; shapes the story with the director.
Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.
A guide, not a qualification. Built from our editorial and post ladder and the editor guide. Checked 13 November 2026.
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Last reviewed 9 November 2026