EDITORIAL

Job Overview

The second assistant editor supports the first assistant in all his duties. Although delegated assignments may vary, second assistant editor Steve Sacks explains that generally “My job is to conform picture. I get a list from the editor and go to the shelves where all the film is kept, all the daily reels. My goal is to cut through all the reels, get the needed shots, and put them together.”

Special Skills

Computer aptitude and a basic understanding of film editing are assets to becoming a second assistant editor.

Advice for Someone Seeking This Job

One way to become a second assistant editor is by starting out as a production assistant, preferably assigned to the editing department. Let it be known that you want to work in editing. Offer to work for free, assisting an editor, in exchange for observing.

Professional Profile: Steve Sacks, Second Assistant Editor

Los Angeles native Steve Sacks studied broadcast journalism at Arizona State University with the intention of working in sports. He served several internships working in newsrooms during semester breaks, where eventually he was allowed to edit sports highlight reels. “I got to pick which clips were used and write notes. The sports producer or the sports anchor would take my notes and he'd put his own style into it and use the footage I picked.”

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1991, Sacks moved back to Los Angeles and landed a production assistant job on a live morning talk program called The Home Show. “I was a day player. They called me in whenever they needed me.” When a permanent production assistant job opened up in editing, he was offered the position. In time, he was selecting and editing the music for teasers and promos, and recording celebrity voice-overs, while continuing to assist the editors.

Two and a half years later, Sacks was out of work when the show was cancelled. Finding it difficult to locate another job in the film industry, he got out of the business for a couple of years and worked at a restaurant.

Through a friend, Sacks got back in the business as a day player on the feature Dante's Peak. Production assistant work on a few television movies and series followed. He served as writer's PA on the second season of the series Clueless, followed by a stint as postproduction PA on the pilot for Love, American Style.

Sacks' work as a PA in several different areas made him realize that he wanted to return to editing. Soon after making the decision, he was offered work as a production assistant to editor Pietro Scalia on Playing by Heart. It proved a pivotal point in his career. As part of Scalia's crew, Sacks moved up to apprentice editor on the features Gladiator and Hannibal, then second assistant editor on Black Hawk Down.