do agents exist for film editors?

Hi guys,

So actors always use agents, are there agents for our fine breed as video editors?
If so, does anyone recommend any in hte following cities:

London
Los Angeles
New York
Sydney

Thanks for your help and time

Dom.

Of course. Same as with actors, directors, Cinematographers, etc. Generally agents find you, you don't find them. Meaning, once your hot, they come after you.

Michael Horton
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...in CA / NY maybe an agent "finds you". My market (Florida), there's no such thing.

- Joey

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

In Australia you could register with someone like Top Technicians [www.toptechs.com.au], but I find work mostly happens via networking.

You could also hook up with the Australian Film Commission, or the New South Wales Film Commission - join the Australian Screen Editor's Guild, or for a more international strike rate, check out Mandy [www.mandy.com]

I've gotten more inquiry through my Mandy listing than through any agent!

- Loren
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Hi There

Here in London we have [www.sohoeditors.com] they are also Apple certified trainers.


Derek

Don't know how true this is but I have heard here in LA that agents don't get you much work as an editor, it's more of an ego thing to have one.

Agents dont necessarily find you work. They negotiate and speak on your behalf and field offers. It is when you are not hot any longer that good agents in full service agencies can help find you work.

Michael Horton
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Okay gents, I have a question that goes along with this idea of "how do you get work" - "do you need an agent".

I've NEVER seen a post for narrative television or studio feature films (two categories I have yet to get into in my career) on any job board. I am currently cutting network reality TV, international commercials, and independent feature films - but other than hanging on to the coat tails of independent directors that I have worked with, I have no idea how to transition into bigger markets.

As a young editor I always thought that was what separated Avid and FCP editors, and perhaps that still rings true, even though FCP is "catching up".

I've also heard stories about how "back in my day you had to work your way up from being an apprentice editor". But I haven't even seen posts for those positions (Again, I am only talking about network narrative tv and/or studio feature films). And as a working editor, I am not sure I could go back to assisting.

I have considered joining the union, now that I have enough credits, but does that really help beyond health care and retirement plans?

This post has gotten me to think that maybe it's that bigger productions don't post adds on Mandy, or any other job board because negotiations are all done behind closed doors with agents and producers. Agents have their feet in doors that the average editor couldn't get into.

Now I realize that 90% of work in this town is from "who you know" - so like I said, I currently keep my director friends close, waiting for them to get bigger and bigger budgets! But I'd love to hear from anyone who has pursued the "editors dream" of "the promised land" and how you got there.

In the mean time, I'll keep cutting as much as I can get my paws on, building the reel, gaining the experiences, and trying to rub elbows with the big players in some hip LA eatery!

Well said Rick! Thats where I'm coming from entirely!

Thats a very good point just keep trying to look around on the web for other opportunities and try get as much work experience in the field as you can.

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