30 Film and Video Editor Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Film and Video Editor interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Who do you admire the most in film editing?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe a film editor who they look up to and talk about why they think this person is admirable. This gives the interviewer insight into how the candidate aspires to grow in their job and who motivates them.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I look up to James Cameron because he has made some of the most creative films in history. I find his editing technique fascinating because he cuts from wide angles to tight shots quickly, and I aspire to create emotion in my films the way he does."
Written by Rachelle Enns
2. What type of leadership style do you take direction best from?
How to Answer
The candidate uses this question to discuss how they work with others, especially under the management of a team leader or client. The candidate should respond by giving their prior experience working under someone's supervision and what types of leadership they work best with. Some of these leadership types include someone who gives lots of feedback or someone who is hands-off.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I work best with a leader who is hands-on. I like getting feedback often on my projects so I know I am making the client happy continuously."
Written by Rachelle Enns
3. Do you aspire to be a director or producer one day?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their future plans and whether or not they include becoming a director or producer in the future. The candidate should discuss why they want to reach this height in their career and how this current job will help them reach that goal in the future.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I aspire to be a film producer in the future. I believe I have strong leadership skills and have a good eye for editing, and someday can help others produce their best work. Until then, I can't wait to learn as much as I can about the industry."
Written by Rachelle Enns
4. In your opinion, what is the most exciting advancement in the industry this year?
How to Answer
The candidate should demonstrate that they are staying up to date with the latest technologies film and editing software, techniques, and technology.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I think the most exciting advancement of the year is the more practical uses of virtual reality in the field. Although virtual reality in filming was introduced years ago, just this year it became easier for videographers to shoot with virtual reality and editors to add it in post production."
Written by Rachelle Enns
5. What program(s) do you use for video editing?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their experience with editing software, and talk about which ones they prefer using and why. Examples include Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Edius, and Final Cut Pro X.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"If I'm using a Macbook, I'll work in After Effects or Premiere. If I need to use Windows, I'll work in both After Effects and Premiere and maybe even Final Cut Pro. However, if a client has a particular preference, we can discuss my experience with it and can give it a shot."
Written by Rachelle Enns
6. Were you part of a student filmmaker society during university?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss whether or not they had been a part of a filmmaker society during their time in post-secondary education. If the candidate has, they should mention what benefits they have received from it, such as great contacts and internships and early exposure to the film industry. If they did not participate in college, they should discuss other experience in the field they had during their college years, if any, and how that helped them grow.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"In college, I was a part of the Society of Professional Journalists. While it wasn't specifically tailored to filmmaking, a large part of what we did on a weekly basis was taking cameras and shooting stories to present to each other and critique them. This helped me develop my videography skills over time and I learned a lot about shooting good video for news."
Written by Rachelle Enns
7. Would you prefer to work as a full time employee or as a contracted freelancer?
How to Answer
There are benefits and downsides to both being a full-time employee and being a contracted freelancer. The candidate should discuss which they would prefer and why.
Being a full time employee means receiving full benefits from a company, a mostly consistent work schedule, and job protection under a contract. Some candidates prefer this type of commitment because it means consistent work and pay. However, some candidates prefer an irregular work schedule where they are not tethered to one company, and instead will work individual jobs as a freelancer for the same pay, but no benefits. This allows them the freedom to work with various clients instead of only working for one.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I would prefer to be a contracted freelancer because I like to pick and choose the projects I work on over time. Although I respect your company, I want the freedom to work on other side projects throughout the year, yet also produce great work for your clients."
Written by Rachelle Enns
8. What are your preferred working hours?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss with the hiring manager the times throughout the day they can perform their best work. While hiring managers are often looking for a candidate who can fill a certain position or time slot, the candidate should mention what times they work best, yet also mention how they are able to adjust to various working hours over time. The candidate should demonstrate ultimately that regardless of the hours they work, their work will remain consistent and strong.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I work best in the early morning hours. I am more alert and am able to do some of my best and fastest work early in the day, but if I was put on a later afternoon shift, I would be able to find a way to adjust and still do my best work."
Written by Rachelle Enns
9. Are you willing to work overtime to meet a deadline?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, broadcasting and filming may have long and irregular hours, the client wants to know if you are dedicated to the project. The candidate should respond by showing their dedication, regardless of the hours they may be asked to work.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Yes, I am willing to work overtime to meet a deadline, especially if that's what the client and I have come to an agreement on. I will continue working as long as it is alright with the client until I feel that the work is my best."
Written by Rachelle Enns
10. How do you present your edited and final work to your client(s)?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their particular editing techniques and how they reveal the final product to a client. This includes discussing any feedback on the project or any final touches they are asked to make. The candidate should answer the question by discussing their communication skills with a client in a professional setting and how they react to feedback.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I do a side by side comparison of the work that wasn't edited, to the edited version, and then final version based on feedback. I like to do this in-person to get a better understanding of my client's reaction to the work. However, if this can't be done onsite, I ask for detailed feedback as to what they like and don't like in the edits."
Written by Rachelle Enns
11. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
A film and video editor makes an average of $45,000/year, depending on how many prior years experience they have, and for what company they are applying. The candidate should give a reasonable range of salaries they hope to be paid for the job so they and the interviewer can come to an agreement on proper payment.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I am hoping to make between $50,000-$55,000 for this job, considering that I have worked for many years at a great company as a film editor and can offer much to this company. I also expect to grow in the years I work here."
Written by Rachelle Enns
12. Who do you admire most in the film industry?
How to Answer
The candidate should answer by mentioning someone they look up to in the film industry and why this person is inspiring to them. In answering this question, the candidate should demonstrate what kinds of techniques and skills they value most and how they hope to grow in the future. They may mention ways they will try to improve their work to mimic this person to become a great asset.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I look up to Steven Spielberg. He is an inspiration in my work because he really changed the film industry through advanced technologies, especially used in Avatar. I hope I can make animations come to life like he has someday."
Written by Rachelle Enns
13. Tell me about your favorite project as a film and video editor.
How to Answer
The candidate should proudly describe one of their favorite projects they have worked on and why it was their favorite. They may reference certain techniques they used in it, or describe the feeling of the outcome upon watching it back as a final product.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My favorite project was working on an independent film that went to the Cannes Film Festival last year. I learned so much from the other older editors and photographers on set, yet I was the one who was tasked with editing all of the sound, which later won the film Best Sound and Tracks at the festival."
Written by Rachelle Enns
14. What are you most proud of in your career?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe part of their career in which they are the most proud, whether it be about previous projects, the skills they have developed, or the positions in companies they have held. The candidate should talk about why they are so proud of this and how this element would be beneficial for the company to have.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I am most proud of how I became an editor and director of films in just 8 years. While this may seem like a long time for some, I have climbed up the ladder and made myself a valuable editor to any film, and I know that working in your company, I will continue to grow."
Written by Rachelle Enns
15. How would you describe yourself as a Film and Video Editor? What techniques and styles do you deploy?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe what kind of editor they are and what styles they work best with while editing. Doing research on the client's style beforehand is a good idea to see yourself if you are able to produce work that is similar to what they have done in the past. It is also important to reference the different styles and techniques you use or have used that will help their film and video editing projects.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I utilize a mix of various cuts when editing film or video from the 'L & J Cut' used commonly for documentaries and commercials, to 'Jump Cuts' used in interviews, to 'Cutaways' that are typically used as transition pieces to give the audience a view of what's happening outside of the main character's environment."
Written by Rachelle Enns
16. When was the last time you faced a high-pressure situation and how did you react?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss an example of being under pressure on the job in the past and how they dealt with the situation. The candidate should mention how they dealt with the stress well, including taking deep breaths or completing the work regardless of the pressure they were under. If the candidate did not respond well, they should discuss how in retrospect they would have done better, showing that they are able to realize their faults and improve.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Previously while editing, I was under a tight deadline, and only had one hour to complete one section of the film. However, I put in headphones and was able to block out anyone else trying to talk to me. I thankfully made the deadline and learned that in times of immense stress, as long as I trust I can get it done, I can do it."
Written by Rachelle Enns
17. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
How to Answer
A good response is for the candidate to discuss one example of when they have been disappointed in the past in their career. A person may have accepted a job position they regret, or wished to progress faster in their career, as a few examples. The candidate should not only discuss why this was a disappointment, but how they recovered from it and found new hope moving forward.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My biggest professional disappointment is that I did not get a raise in my past job. However, I realized down the line that the job was not the right one for me, and I am glad to be in the position I am now, applying at this company instead."
Written by Rachelle Enns
18. How do you react to criticism about your work?
How to Answer
Part of any job is growth within the position, and the candidate must discuss their desire to grow in the job or company, and how part of that growth is based on others critiquing their work. Make critique a positive by discussing why critique will help them ultimately become a better editor.
Written by Rachelle Enns
19. Do you work well on a team?
How to Answer
Being an editor requires working with others on a project, editing video shot by someone else, or telling a story through someone else's writing. This requires much communication within a team and with others. The candidate should describe their experience working with others. They should also provide ways that they work well on a team, like asking lots of clarifying questions and taking the time to help others for the greater good of the piece.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I work very well with a team because I like the support of others. I find that I help others when they are struggling, and I appreciate when someone else can help me when I have a question."
Written by Rachelle Enns
20. Do you work well under pressure?
How to Answer
Editing films and video is often time consuming, yet editors are faced with tight deadlines. The candidate must prove that they are able to complete the job quickly but still produce their best work possible. They may also give an example of a time where they were put under pressure and how they managed to resolve the situation.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I find that I do my best work under pressure. I am able to concentrate strictly on the job at hand and put all my doubts about the project aside."
Written by Rachelle Enns
21. What are you looking for in terms of career development?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss where they see his or herself in terms of skill level and position within the company over the course of working there. They may mention certain skills they hope to improve upon and how the company will help that, or they may talk about how they aspire for more higher up positions eventually that they will be great fits for.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Over the course of my time at this job, I hope to become one of the top editors here because I already know I possess the knowledge and skills to make your clients happy. I would love to be given this opportunity so I can excel at it and eventually help others do the same."
Written by Rachelle Enns
22. What equipment do you use for filming? (i.e lens and/or lighting)
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their successes and failures with certain types of equipment and whether they require equipment from the company, or if they will use their own.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I use a DSLR, 3-way lighting setup, lighting reflectors, and shotgun microphones and/or boom poles."
Written by Rachelle Enns
23. What are your career goals?
How to Answer
The candidate should respond by mentioning what they aspire to do in the future based on what they hope to improve upon and achieve in the current job. The candidate should show how passionate about the current job they are and how much they hope to grow within the position. A hiring manager is looking for someone who plans to stick around the company for a while and not only improve his or herself but also help the company grow. The candidate should discuss how they plan on making the workplace a great one over time.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Far off in the future, I aspire to be a movie editor in Hollywood. However, in order to get to that level of skill and knowledge, I believe I am a great fit for your production team. I am detail oriented and I can even further develop this skill with you over time. I hope to produce great films with your company so that someday I will be as great as big-time movie editors."
Written by Rachelle Enns
24. How is your vision?
How to Answer
An editor is expected to spend much time in front of a screen. The interviewer wants to know if the candidate is able to perform the job without hindering their eyesight. They also want to know if the candidate feels comfortable sitting in one spot for a long period of time without getting restless. The job requires the same amount of detail oriented vision throughout the day, and the candidate must discuss if they are able to do this.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My vision is very strong, and I have never needed glasses. I am used to editing, and therefore I have worked in front of a computer screen for hours on end all the time. I am a great candidate for this job because my vision is strong and stays strong over time."
Written by Rachelle Enns
25. Are you a detail oriented person?
How to Answer
A film or video editor is expected to be able to pay attention to tiny details no one else is able to see, such as a slight change in lighting, or a small blip in a transition between shots. This careful detail is necessary to create flawless video. The candidate should discuss their strengths surrounding paying attention to small details, and how this skill will help them be successful in the career.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I consider myself a very detail oriented person. In previous jobs, I am often the person everyone else turns to when they need a second set of eyes before they submit a project. I am able to pick up on details no one else sees, and I can bring that to your team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
26. What is the most difficult part of being a film and video editor?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss in what areas they still struggle in the career and where they still have room for improvement. This is an opportunity for the candidate to openly admit where their weaknesses are within the job, but discuss how they plan to improve upon them. Oftentimes, the most difficult parts of a job are ones that the person does not fully understand, and this is a chance for them to show that someday they may find this aspect more enjoyable than they previously realized.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I find the most difficult part of the job hitting the export button when the project is finished because I always feel that there are more edits to make the work completely perfect. However, editing is like art, and can always be tweaked more and more, and over time I will find the confidence to submit my work with complete satisfaction."
Written by Rachelle Enns
27. What is the most rewarding part of being a film and video editor?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what is the most rewarding part of doing the job, whether it is the final product, or how they feel following the completion of the job. An interviewer is looking for a candidate who takes pride in some aspect of working the job, and wants to know what motivates them to complete the job to give them a sense of fulfillment at the end.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"For me, the most rewarding part of being an editor is seeing the final product all the way through. Oftentimes when you are editing, you forget what shots you put where, and watching the final product back seamlessly shows exactly how I wanted the story to flow, and I am proud of the story I told."
Written by Rachelle Enns
28. What do you like least about being a film and video editor?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss some aspect of the job that they may not be as strong at as others, or one part that they do not enjoy doing. While this is a chance for the candidate to discuss what they may not be best at, they must eventually show the interviewer that ultimately they would be able to perform the duty of the job without any issue or hassle.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My least favorite part of the job is sequencing and organizing all of the video clips. It takes so long to put them all in some kind of order so that it is easier to edit later. However, I realize how important it is to do this so I can stay organized throughout the entire process."
Written by Rachelle Enns
29. What do you like most about being a film and video editor?
How to Answer
The candidate should answer this question by describing what motivates them to come into work each day. They should describe their favorite aspects of the job and why they love it so much. This shows the interviewer how much the career means to them, and how much hard work they would put in, if given the chance.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My favorite part about being an editor is that I get to choose my favorite parts of each scene to put together. Being an editor, you can cut out any shots that are bad and replace them with ones that change the entire mood of the piece. I love being in control of the emotions and flow of the sequence."
Written by Rachelle Enns
30. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a film and video editor?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what has lead to their interest in becoming an editor and working in film or any type of video. They should describe what aspects of their personality make them a good fit for this type of job, including someone who is hands-on and good with technology. They should show a love for the field and a deep understanding of all the responsibilities required of them.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I wanted to become a film editor because I have always loved watching movies, and always knew that I would someday want to create them. For years I have studied how to sequence scenes and I have learned many techniques on how to edit seamlessly, and I can bring that to your business."
Written by Rachelle Enns