Prepare for your Editor interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise in the film editing industry. If you have previous experience using specific software, share that information with the interviewer. If you don’t have any experience using specific software, explain how you plan to learn the software once you’re hired.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with several types of software in the past, including Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer. I’m familiar with how to use these programs to edit video footage, add effects and create transitions. I also understand the best practices for working with these programs. For example, I know that Final Cut Pro is best used for editing video footage because it’s specifically designed for that purpose. However, I also know that Adobe Premiere is better suited for editing audio files."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for film editors and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "I believe that one of the most important skills for film editors is excellent attention to detail. Film editing is all about finding the perfect shots and cutting them together to create a seamless movie. If an editor misses even the smallest detail, it can ruin the entire movie. Another important skill is creativity. Film editing is an art form, so editors need to be able to think outside the box when choosing which shots to use."
This question can help the interviewer understand your understanding of the editing process. Your answer should include an explanation of each step in the process, including any steps that are unique to your experience as an editor.
Answer Example: "The editing process starts with reading through the manuscript once to get an idea of what the story is about. Then I make notes on any errors I find while reading. After that, I go through the manuscript again to correct any spelling errors or grammar mistakes. Next, I read through the manuscript one last time to check for any other errors. Finally, I proofread the final copy to make sure there are no additional errors."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with a high-level executive. Your answer should show that you have worked with directors before and have a good understanding of how to collaborate with them.
Answer Example: "I have worked with many film directors in my career as an editor. I find that the best way to work with them is to communicate regularly about their vision for the project and any changes they want to make. I also like to ask questions about their ideas so I can better understand what they’re looking for in the final product. This helps me create a more personalized final cut for each director I work with."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach making edits and whether you have ever had to make a difficult decision. Use examples from your experience that show you can make decisions based on what is best for the film, rather than personal preference.
Answer Example: "In my last position as an editor, I was working on a documentary about endangered animals. The director wanted me to cut out a scene where a baby elephant was playing in the water because he thought it was too distracting from the overall message of the film. However, I disagreed with him and argued that the scene was important because it showed the relationship humans have had with elephants for centuries. In the end, we kept the scene in the film."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up when necessary and can provide a valid reason for doing so.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure I understood the director’s instructions, then I would explain my reasoning for why I felt the edit they requested was not appropriate for the scene. If I was wrong about the edit, I would apologize and follow their instructions. However, if I was right, I would explain why the edit I suggested was better suited for the scene."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to stand up for what you believe in, but also that you can work well with others.
Answer Example: "If I felt strongly about the edit, I would first try to explain my reasoning behind it. If they still wanted to make the change, I would ask if we could discuss it further before making a decision. In some cases, I may agree with the producer or director and decide to make the edit anyway. In other situations, I may decide that the edit is not worth making."
Editors often have a lot on their plates. They have to manage multiple projects at once, meet deadlines and ensure that the quality of their work is up to par. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle pressure well and still deliver quality work in a timely manner. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and manage your time effectively. Share a time when you had too much on your plate but still managed to get everything done on time.
Answer Example: "I am an organized person who likes to plan ahead. I find that being prepared for any situation helps me perform well under pressure. When I have multiple projects due at the same time, I create a schedule for myself so I know exactly what I need to do and when. This helps me stay focused and ensures that I meet all deadlines."
Editors often work with other editors and writers to complete projects on time. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working as part of a team. In your answer, explain how you worked with others in the past and what your role was in the project.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked on several projects with teams of editors. In one instance, I was responsible for editing a book while another editor was responsible for formatting the text. We worked together to ensure that all of the information in the book was correct. The formatting editor also relied on me to check the formatting of each page before sending it to print."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your editorial skills to create a final product that meets the needs of the client. Use examples from past experiences where you collaborated with actors to create a successful final edit.
Answer Example: "When working with an actor, I like to get as much footage as possible so I can choose the best shots to use in the final edit. This helps me create a more complete story for the audience, as well as gives me flexibility if there are any edits needed later on. In one instance, I was editing a commercial for a car company where the actor was driving the car through various landscapes. I got so much footage that I was able to use different shots of the car driving through each scene to create a more realistic scene."
This question can help interviewers understand your creative process and how you approach new projects. Use examples from previous work to explain how you experiment with different editing techniques, such as using different types of video editing software or trying out new editing techniques.
Answer Example: "I find that experimentation is a great way to encourage creativity in my editing work. When I receive a project, I like to take some time to think about what I want to achieve with the video and how I can best accomplish that goal. Then, I’ll experiment with different techniques and tools to find the best way to edit the footage. For example, I recently received a project where the client wanted to highlight the beautiful scenery at their resort. I decided to use slow motion footage to give the video a cinematic feel."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and whether you have a system in place. Your answer should include steps that show you are organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently.
Answer Example: "I start by reading the script or project brief to get an idea of what the final product should look like. Then I watch all of the footage that has been shot and make notes on each clip. I use these notes to decide which shots will work best for each scene. Next, I edit together the clips that I’ve chosen into a rough cut of the project. Finally, I watch the rough cut again to make sure all of the shots are in order and that there are no errors."
This question is a great way to test your editing skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer how you can improve a piece of content and make it more effective. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a cut you made that improved a piece of content.
Answer Example: "A good cut makes a piece of writing more concise without losing any important information. I always try to remove any unnecessary words or sentences when editing so the reader doesn’t have to read too much to get the point. I also make sure to keep the tone and style of writing consistent throughout the piece."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise with editing software programs. If you’re not familiar with any editing software, consider mentioning other software programs that you’re familiar with, such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop.
Answer Example: "I’m most familiar with Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. I’ve been using these programs for over five years and have become quite adept at editing video and audio files. I also have some experience with Avid Media Composer, which I used while working on a project for a client who preferred that software."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of film editing and how you prioritize your work. Your answer should show that you know what’s important in editing a film, such as continuity, timing and storytelling.
Answer Example: "I think the most important aspect of film editing is continuity. I always make sure to watch a scene from start to finish before I start editing it so I can notice any inconsistencies or mistakes. This helps me fix any issues before they become bigger problems later in the process. Timing is also important because it affects the flow of a scene. I like to watch a scene several times before I start editing so I can get an idea of where cuts should be made."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle errors in your work and how often they occur. Your answer should show that you are aware of when you make mistakes and how you correct them.
Answer Example: "I make mistakes when editing every now and then, but I always catch them before sending my work to the client. I have a system in place where I check my work multiple times before sending it out, which helps me catch any errors or typos before they become an issue. In my last position, I made a mistake where I forgot to change a word in one of the documents I was editing. Luckily, I caught it before sending it to the client and was able to fix it quickly."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle mistakes and errors in your work. Use your answer to highlight your ability to take responsibility for your actions and learn from them.
Answer Example: "I would first check my own work to see if I made the error. If I didn’t, I would talk to my coworker who worked on the project with me to find out if they noticed anything wrong. If neither of us saw any issues, I would ask the client if they noticed anything wrong with the project. If they did, I would fix the issue immediately."
