LO2 - Task 3: Understand the skills to carry out the role of an editor

An editor has a key role in the overall production of a media product. For example the Editor has to take raw footage from the original video shoot, where footage was recorded, and then they have to polish it up for it look acceptable to be broadcasted to an audience. To make this footage looks professional, the editor first has to import all of the raw footage into the software which in my case was Adobe Premiere pro, however their are alternatives like Sony Vegas. The editor then has select the clips that he wants to use, and will then proceed to select what is called the razor tool in Adobe Premiere and will separate any unwanted footage from the clip by slicing it. There are also other effects like the cross-dissolve effect which can help the overall aesthetic of the production, and tools like the warp stabilizer which helps shaky footage look stable. Colour grading is also another thing that can be used in adobe after effects, as you can select the colour balance tool to add more of a certain colour to enhance the production. Once the production has been edited and has been done it must be rendered, and then saved at a high setting for the best quality, which would usually be at 1080p and MP4.

Written communication:

I had some experience with written communication in relation to editing as I had to interact with the artist for the music documentary I edited, being the beats lounge for example as I had to message him to debate certain editing techniques that I was thinking of using as I was considering changing the colour balance. I also had to ask the artist what music he would like in between the clips, as sometimes it is good to get other peoples views as this can enhance the overall creativity of the editing process. I messaged the artist on social media,for example Facebook, as well as emailing him multiple times.


Verbal communication:
Verbal communication can also vert important to editing as for example while working in a group, it is a very valuable skill to share opinions as someone else in the group could have an idea that really complements yours. An example of this is when I did duke of Edinburgh a few years ago, I had to work in team and this was very vital to how we progressed throughout the expedition as we had to share out items in a team to balance the weight out and so that it was equal for everyone to carry.

Practical production:

While editing the media production, it is vital in many aspects to make sure you have selected all of the clips that you want to use as sometimes it can be a long process browsing through a large amount of unwanted footage. I always have all the clips I wan't to use in a folder as this makes it easier. Once all the wanted clips are imported, I usually know what effects and transitions that I am going to add as I usually start off with some cuts, and sometimes add a cross dissolve to make it fade nicely into the next clip. I also use the colour correction tool often to enhance the colours to make it look aesthetically pleasing to the audience. Here is an example of a production I edited using similar techniques to the ones that i mentioned.