How do you break in to starting out as an editor

I got my degree in video production over a year ago from a 4 year college but the only work I can find right now is a part time job at a news station. How can I get an entry level job as an editor? I do have alot of knowledge of after effects and I am learning motion 3 but I cant find a place that will allow me to edit things and incorporate some of my motion graphics skills. What type of company do I need to be looking for and where would be a good location because right now I am in eastern North Carolina and there is an incredibly small market.

My wife and are a paying subscriber to Media-Match. She is a Production Coordinator, I am a Video Editor and Audio Engineer. Within the first week her profile was viewed by 25 employers, I had none. She had a job with a production house in 3 weeks. It has been 3 or 4 months since we first signed up . She still has her job and I have had 2 profile views. What that saying about this field of work? Maybe it's competition, maybe it is about being in the clique, referrals, not sure.

Matt Thorne

Welcome to the real world. BTW, you answered your own question. You've got to get out of town and go to LA or NY if you want to focus on television or film. If you want to do corporate/industrial or commercials, you can go to a lot of places around the country. But in LA or NY, you start as a freelancer, working for low or no pay, but you get the opportunity to show em what you've got. Or find a place that's looking for an intern. But don't expect to get a full time staff gig as an editor based on your education and tech skills along.

Work at the news agency as much as you can, do free editing for them on anything.
Eventually when things get better (economy) they may hire you full time. Editors are hired by their reels, it's that simple. Like DPs, if you have a great reel, you'll get the job. Edit free projects or for little money. The main thing is to build your reel! Yes, features are LA or NYC. But there is a lot of doc, industrial and commercial work elsewhere---the main thing is don't give up!!

You need to consider working as an assistant editor, and working your way up. If you live in Los Angeles and you work hard you will move up to an editor position quickly and you'll rarely be out of work. I've been at it 12 years (1 year as an assistant) and I've never been out of work unless I wanted to be. And I've never put a reel together. A solid resume and strong working relationships have been enough for me. Also be aware that it's much more difficult to get work as a film editor whether it be features or scripted television. You need to know Avid and FCP at this point.

Good luck.

You should learn Avid as well as FCP. FCP is mainly used in independent productions but Avid is still the hybrid when it comes to movies, commercials and TV. If you know anyone that's still in school, they can get the Avid educational discount. You'll pay $ 250 for a $2500 dollar piece of software. It is not upgradeable but so what. It is for you to learn the ins and outs of the program. I would concentrate on how to group cameras and log. This will get your foot in the door as a P.A. or A.E. of some production house.

I'm in a similar situation, I just graduated from SCAD in Savannah, Georgia. Getting your name out there is probably the most important part, start applying to paid/unpaid internships, and start getting on crews that you know are going places. I recommend looking at Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte, Charleston and especially Savannah for films to get your name on. SCAD students are ALWAYS looking for great editors and more importantly they're ALWAYS submitting to festivals. I've been in LA a month and already have another internship lined up and am working on a variety of side projects! Good Luck!

I exchanged emails with the union editor, and Oscar nom, Dotty Dorn, about this very topic. I can tell a few of the important points she talked about. 1. Yes you do need to be in a location like LA, NY, or some other major city, that offers this type of work. 2. Inform the union of your desire to be an editor. 3. Get hired at non-union editing jobs like at MTV, or some trailer cutting house. 4. After a year or two of working at that, get hired as an assistant on a major film or TV show. Keep in contact with the union, and attend events .
I think it is a good idea to join and be active in organizations. I an joining Women In Film, LA (not for women only, lots of men too.) Network.

I'd say one of the keys to success is not remaining anonymous. I saw a posting on production hub for someone looking for an editor in your area, thought of this post and came back to provide the info. But I see no contact info for you.

What I will say about this is this. . . .

I am a post grad MFA in film production - editing/& sound,
I know FCP, AVID, ect
I live in LA,
I have cut one 90 min documentary
(on spec),
5 short films in films school.
3 short segments for PBS.

Iv been looking for work seance last november, graduated in may.

Iv applied 9,989 times for everything from PA, to editor, and sound. Iv had a meeting at Sony for crying out loud. (they shook my hand and never called.)

I'm willing to work for credit hell I have so far. No one is hiring.

I'm having the same problem. I have my degree from end of 07' and All i have gotten to do is PA work. It's hard to find someone to offer me an opportunity. I can cut like crazy.