Job Duties Custom List 27-3041.00 — Editors
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
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- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
- Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
- Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes or "workshop" scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
- Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such as scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.
- Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements and cast and set accessibility.
- Conduct meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to ensure production objectives are attained.
- Compile scripts, program notes, and other material related to productions.
- Obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
- Write and submit proposals to bid on contracts for projects.
- Compose and edit scripts or provide screenwriters with story outlines from which scripts can be written.
- Cut and edit film or tape to integrate component parts into desired sequences.
- Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
- Choose settings and locations for films and determine how scenes will be shot in these settings.
- Review film daily to check on work in progress and to plan for future filming.
- Negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
- Develop marketing plans for finished products, collaborating with sales associates to supervise product distribution.
- Arrange financing for productions.
- Hire principal cast members and crew members, such as art directors, cinematographers, and costume designers.
- Hold auditions for parts or negotiate contracts with actors determined suitable for specific roles.
- Select plays, scripts, books, news content, or ideas to be produced.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
- Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
- Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
- Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
- Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
- Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
- Direct technical aspects of newscasts and other productions, checking and switching between video sources and taking responsibility for the on-air product, including camera shots and graphics.
- Set up and execute video transitions and special effects, such as fades, dissolves, cuts, keys, and supers, using computers to manipulate pictures as necessary.
- Discuss filter options, lens choices, and the visual effects of objects being filmed with photography directors and video operators.
- Follow instructions from production managers and directors during productions, such as commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics, and takes.
- Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
- Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
- Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
- Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.
- Develop employee work schedules.
- Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Monitor and log transmitter readings.
- Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
- Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
- Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
- Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
- Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
- Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.
- Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.
- Substitute programs in cases where signals fail.
- Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
- Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary.
- Edit broadcast material electronically, using computers.
- Instruct trainees in use of television production equipment, filming of events, and copying and editing graphics or sound onto videotape.
- Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.
- Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
- Make commercial dubs.
- Determine the number, type, and approximate location of microphones needed for best sound recording or transmission quality, and position them appropriately.
- Organize recording sessions and prepare areas, such as radio booths and television stations, for recording.
- Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.
- Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
- Produce graphics for broadcasts.
- Discuss production requirements with clients.
- Produce educational and training films and videotapes by performing activities, such as selecting equipment and preparing scripts.
- Design and modify equipment to employer specifications.
- Schedule programming or read television programming logs to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired.
- Develop employee work schedules.
- Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
- Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
- Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
- Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
- Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
- Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
- Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.
- Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
- Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
- Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
- Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
- Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
- Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
- Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
- Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
- Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
- Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
- Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
- Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
- Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
- Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
- Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.
- Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
- Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
- Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
- Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
- Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
- Manipulate 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.
- Program computerized graphic effects.
- Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
- Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
- Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
- Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
- Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
- Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
- Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.
- Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
- Develop post-production models for films.
- Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.
- Estimate how long audiences watching comedies will laugh at each gag line or situation to space scenes appropriately.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
- Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
- Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
- Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
- Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
- View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
- Direct studio productions.
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
- Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
- Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.
- Write new scripts for broadcasts.
- Design graphics for studio productions.
- Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
- Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
- Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock.
- Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
- Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
- Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
- Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
- Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
- Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
- Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
- Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.
- Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
- Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.
- Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.
- Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.
- Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
- Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
- Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.
- Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.
- Load and unload film.
- Photograph legal evidence at crime scenes, in hospitals, or in forensic laboratories.
- Write photograph captions.
- Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.
- Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.
- Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.
- License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.
- Send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.
- Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.
- Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.