A Cut above The Rest

Not one to be governed by any form of pre-set notions or regulations, the job profile of a film editor is quite intricate as well as interesting. Cutting out the extra scenes, keeping the good ones, deciding which of them are the indispensable ones and then, how to sequence them perfectly to make each film highly engaging, as well as entertaining for the audience; is a tough and challenging job, no matter how glamorous it may sound.

There were times when the duration of certain movies used to be a full nine hours and some even had in them as many as 21 songs. Those times lacked editors. But that was then. Imagine having to watch that long a movie now. There wouldn't be a single person in the audience whose patience does not give way. Ensuring such a scenario does not arise is what the job of a film editor is all about.

It can safely be said, that in a way, a film editor re-writes the entire film. Exclusion of scenes that seem redundant plays a major part in their work. All the corrections required in the film have to be made by them. They have to make the film presentable before it hits the theatres. A film editor has to see to it that the film turns out to be not only an entertaining watch for the public but also an engaging one. They also have to keep in mind the expectations of critics as well as the regulations laid down by the Censor Board.

Glamorous as the job might sound, it entails a lot of hard work. To ensure that a film turns out exactly the way the director is envisioning it, a film editor has to put in a lot of labor and lose many-a-nights' sleep. one with another. It goes without saying that a clear and calm mind is an important requisite to be able to handle this job profile. You should also be a good team player and a good organizer and manager.

The returns are high. The pay scale varies from INR 5,00,000 to INR 30,00,000 depending upon the budget of the film being edited. Film editors do not have a share in the profits or box-office earnings of a film.

A sharp mind, the quality of being a fast-learner, a good command over certain softwares, the ability to pick things up easily, an understanding attitude and a sound knowledge of the basics of film making and editing are certain traits that can get you there.

Certain institutes like the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata and the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, offer short courses on film editing which if undertaken, prove to be quite helpful to those aspiring to get a start in this industry. However, no particular degree or qualification is necessary for someone to be able to make a career as a film editor. What matters is being able to handle extreme pressure and stress and the ability to meet strict deadlines.