Film and Video Editors
Official O*NET title: Film and Video Editors (27-4032.00)
Also called: editor, film editor, news editor, news video editor, news videotape editor
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing film and video editors work
5 of 13 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 38%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Program computerized graphic effects (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Verify key numbers and time codes on materials (main task) — no recorded AI use
- 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions — some recorded AI use
- Develop post-production models for films — some recorded AI use
- Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films — no recorded AI use
- Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end — no recorded AI use
- Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries — no recorded AI use
- Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs — no recorded AI use
- Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors — no recorded AI use
- Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks — no recorded AI use
- Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements”. Try the prompt for: “Program computerized graphic effects”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and film and video editors
Will AI replace film and video editors?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 5 of the 13 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 15 of the 22 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which video editor tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements; program computerized graphic effects; talk with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
Which video editor tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: 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; set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 39% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a video editor start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Film and Video Editors ranks #212 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #12 of 31 in Creative & Media.
Related jobs
- Will AI change art directors?
- Will AI change craft artists and makers?
- Will AI change fine artists and illustrators?
- Will AI change animators and vfx artists?
- Will AI change industrial and product designers?
- Will AI change fashion designers?
- Will AI change editors?
- Will AI change producers and directors?
- Will AI change desktop publishers?
- Will AI change audio and video technicians?
- See all jobs