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, assist-
ing 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 eventu-
ally 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 produc-
tion 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 continu-
ing to assist the editors.
What do you like
least about your job?
"What I like least are
the long days. You don't
really have much of a
life outside of your job.
I worked six days a week,
between 12 and 15 hours a day, for seven
months on Black Hawk Down."
--Steve Sacks
What do you love most
about your job?
"What I like most, what got me into editing,
is that the editor controls what is seen by the
audience."--Steve Sacks
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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