1. Editors
Traditionally, Editors progress from being Runners to Trainees, Second Assistants, First Assistants and eventually to become Editors.
Editors are responsible for First Assistant Editors, and on bigger productions, Second Assistants and Trainees.
Editors work closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay.
Editors check the technical standards, as well as the emerging sense of story, and the actors' performances.
Editors start work as soon as the first day of filming commences, cutting first shots into rough assemblies
Because scenes are shot and edited out of sequence, Editors may work on scenes from the end of the film before those at the beginning,
and must therefore be able to maintain a good sense of how the story is unfolding. Editors select the best takes and edit them together to
create scenes.
Before the filming comes to an end editors spend hours cutting footage together to create a rough assembly of the film
During the post production period, the Editor and the Director work closely together, refining the assembly edit into the Director's Cut,
which must be approved by the Producers, until they achieve picture lock or Fine Cut (when the Director and/or Executive Producer give
final approval of the picture edit).
Assistant Editors
Assistant Editors are responsible for running and maintaining Editing systems, and for the smooth running of the cutting room on feature
films.
Assistant Editors are usually recommended to Producers by Editors, who prefer to work with the same Assistant. Assistant Editors are
normally employed, on a freelance basis, from the first day of principal photography
Their first task is to communicate with other relevant departments (Production, Camera, Sound, etc.) in order to understand and analyse
the requirements of the work flow, and to pass this information on to the Editor.
Most Assistant Editors start their careers by working as Runners on feature films or at Editing Facilities Houses