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Film & Video Editor

Creative

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

Creative Arts & Media

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  2. 2Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
  3. 3Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
  4. 4Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
  5. 5Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
  6. 6Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
  7. 7Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
  8. 8Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
  9. 9Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
  10. 10Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
  11. 11Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
  12. 12Manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.
  13. 13Program computerized graphic effects.
  14. 14Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
  15. 15Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
  16. 16Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
  17. 17Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
  18. 18Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.
  19. 19Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
  20. 20Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
  21. 21Develop post-production models for films.
  22. 22Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Editor
  • Filmmaker
  • ENG Editor
  • Film Editor
  • News Editor
  • Tape Editor
  • Cue Selector
  • Movie Editor
  • Video Editor
  • Online Editor

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

EnglishDraws directly on Communications and Media — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Bahasa MelayuDraws directly on Communications and Media — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Visual Art (PSV)Draws directly on Fine Arts — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Communications and Media99%

    EnglishBahasa Melayu

  • English Language92%

    English

  • Computers and Electronics90%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Telecommunications82%

    Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesComputer Science / ICT

  • Fine Arts81%

    Visual Art (PSV)

  • Production and Processing74%

    Design & Technology (RBT)Mechanical Engineering Studies

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Handling conflict situationsOften
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherRarely
  • Noisy environmentOften
  • Time spent sittingAlmost all the time
  • Time spent standingA little

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Write scripts.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

14%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Broadcast Journalist / Media Producer

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Film and Video Editors

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue