What ballpark range should an editor expect to be paid to cut a film, presumably feature length - non guild?

Depends on the budget. Anywhere between $1000- $2500 per week.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Thanks.

How many weeks do you work on the typical full-length film?

I usually bill around 50-75 an hour depending on the job for editing. It really depends though. Chris sounds like he's on the ball.

I'm doing 13 weeks on the feature I'm cutting now. 5 during the shoot - 8 weeks after.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

*wince*

I really hope the editing profession doesn't offer a maximum of $32,500 per film, because that's a salary comparable to a high school teacher. Although I'm sure in Hollywood, things are done differently, so no worries...

A salary comparable to a high school teacher for EACH movie.

Who ever said you cut one project per year?

You're wincing at making that much money in 13 weeks - just 3 months - when that is what most our country's workers make in an entire year? Think about that for a moment.

Most features go longer than 13 weeks too - but for the current feature I'm cutting - that's what I'm contracted out for. It may go longer.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

quote:

Originally posted by Dan Gross:
$32,500 per film, because that's a salary comparable to a high school teacher. Although I'm sure in Hollywood, things are done differently, so no worries...

This leads me to another social justice tirade of mine. Why are teachers paid so little? They're teaching the future of this country and they get paid like the scum of the earth.

My wife's a teacher - and I always joke that she "enriches" and I "corrupt".

But still. Teachers should be paid way more for what they do - and they work insane hours during the school year. (grading 90 assignments every other night)

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Well yeah, I see what you guys are saying, but all the editors I've researched on IMDB only cut like one, two films a year, so that's why I'm concerned...but again, I'm assuming this is non-Hollywood editing you guys are talking about, and that work in Hollywood is much different.

What is non-hollywood editing? These rates are quite normal for indy films in Hollywood. I am in Hollywood.

If by Hollywood you mean Union - well yes they get paid alot. But union gigs are hard to come by.

I also cut alot more than just features - music videos, commercials, etc...so editors stay busy.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

quote:

This leads me to another social justice tirade of mine. Why are teachers paid so little? They're teaching the future of this country and they get paid like the scum of the earth.

My wife's a teacher - and I always joke that she "enriches" and I "corrupt".

But still. Teachers should be paid way more for what they do - and they work insane hours during the school year. (grading 90 assignments every other night)

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Teachers should be paid more but it's a strange paradox that if they did get paid more it would attract bloodsucking souless pricks like the marketing or banking industry does. So teachers are only deserving of more if they continue to be underpaid.

Wow I took way too much acid as a teenager.

I think that's amazing pay! 13 weeks out of 52 weeks a year? You've got to be kidding if you think thats low paying. I understand that from your research you've only seen editors cutting one feature a year, but as Chris said-it's not all an editor cuts.

All the other music videos, commercials, shorts or weddings add up to be probably a considerable sum of money. I wouldn't mind making $45-$50k US a year doing something I love like that.

When you think about all the struggling indie film makers out there making practically nothing and just going into debt with each movie they make, this is great pay.

-Kegan

quote:

Originally posted by REDking:
Teachers should be paid more but it's a strange paradox that if they did get paid more it would attract bloodsucking souless pricks like the marketing or banking industry does. So teachers are only deserving of more if they continue to be underpaid.

Wow I took way too much acid as a teenager.

Well not really - if they were paid more - there would be a lot more competition for the jobs - and that would mean that (hopefully) only extremely qualified and good teachers would get the jobs.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com