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A big portion of my time is spent editing, I do it full-time under a company making promo content as my career, and then on the side for short-films (personal and smaller productions/ no-pay). I'm starting to realize that over everything else, I enjoy editing shorter form, more exciting content. Having my main interest being film + music, I'm wondering what it takes, and what the required steps are to break into editing Movie Trailers indefinitely. Are there trailer houses that studios go to? How do those houses employ editors? etc...
Would really appreciate any insight on the topic.
I started as a runner/PA at mOcean, then learned from all the editors, then became an assistant editor there, then became a jr editor at another agency, then once I got finishes, headhunters started to court me, now I’m an in-house trailer preditor at a network
If you have any samples you’re proud of, pm me. If they are good then I’ll get you in touch with my headhunter who works with HBO and other companies in nyc. She can refer you to other headhunters depending on your preferred location
Ya, what i'm gathering so far is; either start from the bottom of the industry, or network/ know people (I guess those work simultaneously) - it's a dragon-eat-dog world out there, I'll definitely shoot you a pm thanks for the input!
This is very similar to a story I heard the other day from a trailer editor. Started at the bottom, wherever that is (logging? fetching coffee), then at some point got to do some temp sound editing, then assemblies, and after years of experience he popped out of that cocoon as a full-fledged trailer editor that the producers trust.
There are trailer houses specifically that do this but it’s a tiny tiny club of editors that actually make the big motion picture trailers. I’d imagine there are less than a few hundred people doing this in all of the US. Ignition in Los Angeles is one that comes to mind.
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Oy, looks like i've got some work to do then lol
There re a TON of places doing Trailers in LA now. Ignition is one of the bigger but in no means the only player in town. In fact theyve slowed down in the last couple years for huge campaigns because of internals issue and basically had a mass exodus of their trailer guys last year.
Wow thats a pretty small number, is it just a networking thing? Do you know if these guys ever outside hire or make postings to bring in new talent? How could I get on their radar? Checking out Ignition now! Thanks for the recco!
It’s always a networking thing in my experience. I know some people that started interning and then slowly made their way up at ignition but it’s a seriously small club. I’d say try and get your foot in the door sweeping floors at the big trailer houses and see what you can do.
Have you ever thought about getting into sports editing? I used to dream about trailer editing but when I looked into it more it just seemed stressful and probably not as creative as I'd imagined... Ended up doing sports stuff and love it though. Short edits, high impact, lots of freedom and creativity and there is so much work around. The quality of the vision you are working with is sometimes downright cinematic, I love the raw emotion of it... I dunno, might not be your bag but I thought I'd chuck it out there.
I'm interested. I'm in LA. Would love to know more about this path.
Can’t give any specific advice about your market as I’m in Australia. But I know plenty of Aus editors get work in the US and internationally, particularly on big events like world cups and Olympics, even NFL and some other domestic stuff so there mustn’t be a surplus of sports editors on the ground over there.
I like it for the variety though, you can jump between horse racing and golf which is pared back and classy, into Motorsport and football which is fast paced and intense. Then there’s everything in between.
Ive worked in trailers for a few years now in LA. Started out as a promo guy at a network. Got hired at a trailer house to start handling some TV clients. Eventually they started giving me movie projects. Got a few finishes and moved to another agency. Then at that agency moved over to the TV/streaming department because theatrical is a huge pain in the ass. You will have to sacrifice alot of your free time if you want to work on movie trailers. TV is a little more relaxed, you will have ALOT more to show for your work but it can still be grueling.
My advice - start cutting spec spots and trailers and jut cold emailing the trailer houses.
Why not edit films?
You'd have to assist on both. Which will be more fulfilling to you in 15 years?
It's going to be similarly as difficult. It's very competitive. Go after your dream bro.
Editing films would be great too, I just think I personally find more joy and fulfillment from working on shorter bursts of content, things I can pour high dosages of creativity in without fear of it being diluted with the burden of longer duration. Maybe eventually as my editing improves and I get more confident in my abilities to sustain that level of quality!
<-------- the industry DOES NOT work like that.
Fair enough, that's what I'm here to try and understand.
thats why im saying.. if you really want to edit films, imagine being 40 and editing trailers.. but not being even close to editing films... how will you feel? Go after what you want, because its attainable.... don't do trailers because it seems plausible. It's actually INSANELY competitive, as is commercials. Get stuck in, but do it in the genre you want.
I want to do the same thing! How did you score your editing gig if you don't mind me asking? I love high octane action packed trailers. The secret is the editing!
Just got lucky I guess; worked hard on my portfolio and played the numbers game, after about a year of applying things just fell into place and I got an offer. I agree! I just don't think I could ever get bored editing trailers, always pushing the boundaries of creativity, and that's what appeals to me the most I think.
Thanks for the response! Totally! It's like Lego.
It starts with networking and living in LA. Do you live in LA?
I don't, but I don't typically stay in one place for too long either. I wouldn't mind moving there if that would help me along, I do know a few folk in LA just through work.