How Many Editors Work on a Movie? Indie Films to Blockbusters | Ben on Film

Ever wondered how many editors work on your favorite movies? 🎬 From indie projects to Hollywood blockbusters, Ben on Film breaks down the editing process, the roles of lead and assistant editors, and how teams tackle complex productions. Whether it’s one dedicated editor or a full team of specialists, editing is the backbone of every film’s story. 📌
In this video:
What does an editor do?
The role of editors in filmmaking
How editing teams vary by budget and scope
Indie films
Mid-budget films
Blockbusters
Animation
Why movies need so many editors
Examples of famous editing teams like Star Wars and Avengers
Insights into animation editing
Hey filmmakers and film fans! Welcome back to Ben on Film. Today, we’re answering a fascinating behind-the-scenes question: How many editors typically work on a movie? You might think it’s a one-person job, but the reality is far more complex. Let’s break it down, from indie films to Hollywood blockbusters.
The Role of Editors
First, let’s talk about what editors do. Film editors are responsible for piecing together the raw footage into a coherent story, working closely with the director to refine pacing, tone, and emotion. It’s not just cutting and splicing-it’s storytelling in its purest form. Editors help shape the movie into what we see on the big screen.
Indie Films - Usually One Editor
On indie films, budgets are tight, and the crew is small. In most cases, a single editor handles the entire project. This editor may also wear multiple hats-like assistant editor, sound editor, or even visual effects artist-depending on the scope of the project. It’s a lot of work, but indie filmmakers often thrive on collaboration and multitasking.
Mid-Budget Films - 1 to 3 Editors
For mid-budget films, it’s common to have one lead editor and one or two assistant editors. The Lead Editor oversees the creative process, working with the director to craft the story. Assistant Editors handle technical tasks like organizing footage, syncing audio, and creating rough assemblies. This setup allows the lead editor to focus on creative decisions while the assistants handle the groundwork.
Blockbusters - A Full Editing Team
On large-scale productions, editing is a team effort. You’ll often find:
Lead Editor(s, sometimes multiple editors, sharing the creative workload, especially for films with intricate plots or large amounts of footage (think Star Wars or Marvel movies). Assistant Editors: A team of assistants manages footage, organizes dailies, and prepares scenes for the lead editor. Specialized Editors and Visual Effects Editors: Focus on integrating CGI and effects seamlessly. Dialogue Editors: Polish the spoken word for clarity. And, Music Editors: Work on syncing the score with the visuals.
For a massive blockbuster, the editing team can include 10 or more people, each specializing in a specific area.
Animation - A Different Approach
For animated films, the editing process starts early-sometimes even before animation begins. Editors cut together storyboards, animatics, and voice recordings to create a rough version of the film.
Because of this, animated movies often require multiple editors and assistants to manage the unique workflow.
Why So Many Editors?
The number of editors depends on several factors:
The Complexity of the Story: More characters, locations, and effects mean more editing work.
The Deadline: Tight schedules often require more hands on deck.
The Budget: Bigger budgets allow for larger teams.
Think of editing a movie like assembling a puzzle. The more pieces you have, the more people you might need to put it together.
Famous Editing Teams
Here are some examples of editing teams in action:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey shared editing duties, with additional assistants for handling effects-heavy sequences.
Avengers: Endgame: Jeff Ford led the editing team, supported by a large group of assistants and specialists.
Mad Max: Fury Road: Margaret Sixel, the lead editor, worked with assistants to handle the film’s intense, fast-paced sequences.
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