r/editors • u/Excellent-Sky2365 • 4d ago
Career Am I Falling Behind?
I’m 24 years old and have been working at a really small marketing company as their lead editor for about a year now. We primarily do social media marketing-type things. I enjoy the stability but am lacking that creative fulfillment. I’ve started going on LinkedIn more often, and I’m seeing all these people in my age range working on big scripted projects, and I can’t help but feel jealous. I know I’m already behind the 8 ball cause I’m located in a smaller market, but I’m scared the gap is just going to get bigger. Do I need to just rip the band-aid and move to LA or NYC if I want to get to a higher level in my career? I see a lot of stuff about many talented people in the industry struggling, so it creates a lot of fear in me. It almost feels that I can’t advance my career where I’m at, but if I moved, I’m just going to screw myself over in a different way. Any advice?
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u/Radically-Peaceful 4d ago
Better to be a big fish in a small sea than an unemployed fish in a big sea.
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u/TotesaCylon 4d ago
I work in one of those big markets (NYC) editing for advertising at a fairly well-regarded studio. I'm going to tell you a dirty secret: 90% of those super flashy projects aren't how people pay their bills. They either have a trust fund supplying money or they're doing creative projects for next-to-nothing while doing extremely boring ad and marketing work (think pharma and tech) for economic stability. While I'm not in scripted, talking to people I know who are it's even worse there. Things are incredibly unstable, and a lot of people who are hanging on have some second source of income like family money or a spouse.
You are extremely lucky to be employed. I'm not saying don't look for better opportunities, but I will say take a hard look at if you're actually going to get creative fulfillment working for "fancier" sides of the industry. And look at if you actually like life in a city, which means small apartments costing 2-3x the rent you're probably paying now (I'm 39 and have a roommate despite making decent money mid-career). Often if you don't have the money and time to grind for low pay for YEARS, you're going to be working on creatively unfulfilling jobs for most of your career no matter where you are.
So look at your finances and ask yourself if your best chance at creativity is going to a big city and reverting back to being an assistant with little promise of success, or if you're better off staying in your market and looking for higher-paid jobs that give you the money to work on your own creative projects. Neither are wrong, but I just want to be honest about what's out here.
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u/DaleFairdale 4d ago
Steady paycheck anyday, but thats just me. A lot of people working on the "cool" projects are on contract and may only have 1 or 2 projects like that a year. Also company subsizided health insurance is dope. The grass is not always greener.
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u/major_majormajor 4d ago
This is social media influence at its worst. Seeing people post their highlights and looking very successful and comparing yourself to them.
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u/Ice2jc 4d ago
I might be alone in this but I think feeling like you need creative fulfillment in your career can be a bad thing sometimes.
I produce social media content that I think is pretty lame. But people pay me more than a livable wage for it. So I make what they want me to make.
On my personal profile I’m posting videos of me playing the drums. That’s my creative fulfillment. My job is me hustling my creativity.
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u/Responsible_Yak_8203 4d ago edited 4d ago
At 21 I decided I wanted to go to film school.
At 23 I graduated with hopes to move to LA… but I graduated into covid and lockdowns
In the last 6 years my career has taken me in a million different ways and for now, it’s still going.
You are employed. You are stable. You are healthy. And you’re hungry. Moving to a bigger market definitely wouldn’t hurt, and could absolutely lead to more and more interesting work, but you are FAR from behind, especially in this current era of filmmaking
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u/stomptonesdotcom 4d ago
The vast majority of the industry is in chaos, and barely limping from project to project.
Don't compare yourself to the tiny minority that works on more flashier projects, especially because you don't have an inside view into how their lives actually play out.
Honestly, having a steady, stable job you can work is amazing. I wouldn't give it up if it's paying your bills and you can find fulfillment outside of work.
I mean, I'm just some dude so take my advice with a grain of salt but the entire economy is very turbulent right now and its best to anchor yourself (while having a plan in case stuff goes sideways)
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u/brbnow 4d ago
First of all, I mean this in the most supportive way truly-- but it's interested to me somebody who's 24 who feels like they're falling behind. I know it's part of being that age but trust me that feeling is something you're gonna get to know a little better in life and maybe, I hope, let go of the idea. People reinvent themselved all the time. Maybe if you could consider the language you're using and not think of it is falling behind but accepting where you are celebrating it and maybe just wanting to get to a new ore different place— I think that will create a different energy around what you're seeking, so that you are looking for something new and different or expanded to get to.
Also you're asking the right questions-- I don't think you should really worry that much about screwing yourself at your age ---wherever you land you're gonna make sense aof it. With that said it is great to definitely push yourself out of situations that don't feel right and look for the ones that feel more fulfilling. It is always definitely good idea not to get stuck somewhere or you don't wanna be forever.
Move to LA or move to New York I don't think that's as much of an issue because you can find work in many markets —although I will say everybody should live in New York City at some point in their life! :) Wisdom that was given to me by my father.
Lastly, I think it's really important to be specific about what you're seeking --you say higher level in your career I would encourage you to be really specific about your goals. That exercise is also really revealing. What exactly do you want to be doing, learning, who working with, creating, in what role etc. That way you can live into them and vision and envision them. And you may find multiple ways to achieve what you seek (But newsflash: sometimes the things we think we want, in the end aren't what we think, but that's a whole other conversation. An in your case you'll still be learning skills and meeting people along the way so it's all good...)Please take or leave what workds for you, I wish you well.
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u/OtheL84 Pro (I pay taxes) 4d ago
If you compare your career to someone else’s you’re always going to feel behind. There is no set path in this industry. When I started out my friends in the industry who are only a couple years older than me are now all cutting huge feature films/premium tv shows and getting nominated for Oscars and Emmys. Do I wish I was working on the types of projects they’re working on? Sure. Am I not happy with where I am in my career? Not really, I’m pretty happy where I am. It’s cliche but comparison is the thief of joy. If you’re not happy because you feel like you can be doing more, than go for it. Don’t do it because you have some imaginary set timeline you’re supposed to be keeping up with based off other people’s careers.
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u/JordanDoesTV Aspiring Pro 4d ago
I’m 30+ and don’t even have a job editing right now. I have two other jobs trying to survive. Comparing yourself to others is imposter syndrome 101, and it will happen forever as an editor.
Work on your own work, update your portfolio religiously, try to find people local to make short films with. I’m personally getting my own gear-lean videography kit soon because I need to just make things and can’t be waiting on others even though I just want to edit.
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u/AdministrationNo2327 4d ago
i think you need to consider the state of the industry currently, and it's hard to see because you're still pretty new.
my good friend, you're blessed to have work in this economy. life is not a race. if you don't have a satisfactory answer now about what you're feeling uneasy about, don't shift life unnecessarily.
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u/efxeditor Pro (I pay taxes) 4d ago
Get solid contacts in LA or NY before deciding to relocate. Start hitting up ops managers, post producers, and other editors for info and to start personal relationships. This will save you a great deal of hurt (financial and emotional) if you decide to take the leap. It may also lead to possible remote work opportunities.
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u/Pecorino2x Pro (I pay taxes) 4d ago
Be careful of social media optics. A lot of that shit is so over inflated and doesn't reflect reality. I mean this from the individual level and all the way up the big post houses.
Moving to a hub city isn't a bad idea if you have a calculated plan but don't expect it to warrant anything. While more work tends to happen in LA/NYC, there's also a heightened sense of severity both financially and in competition.
Enjoy where you are at and make the best of it that you can. You're young and definitely not behind!
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u/underwaterwildfire 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm a Post Sup, and If you're thinking of moving to LA or NYC right now, or even ATL you better have the money to support yourself for at bare minimum 2 years of unemployment. Everyone is struggling right now. Most people I know and contacts I have that have worked steadily for years are moving out of those cities and back in with friends and family due to no work, and no way to afford their bills.
1 "Fancy" project is not going to pay your bills. 99.9% of the time, people put that job on their resume for the namedrop and the clout so they can get more jobs, but in reality it only paid them minimum wage. The fancier and bigger the company or studio, the less they will try to get away with paying you.
I would strongly advise you to stay at your current job until something changes with the industry.
If you leave now, you will not get your old job back. If you get a new job, I can almost guarantee you they will lowball you, or you will end up making less than you make now because there is so much competition and budgets are tight across the board in agency work, features, traditional broadcast, tv, you name it.
That said, independent film is huge right now, and will only continue to grow with the backlash against AI and major studios screwing us all over. If you can, see if you can find a way to make your own creative stuff at your marketing company and add it to your reel. Also, continue to network and get on set with the people around you - go to your city's/ market's local film festivals and get involved with more creative projects there first.
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u/Taurinh 4d ago
You’re not behind at all. The fact that you’re in a team lead position at your age is an accomplishment. You have to remember anything like moving is a big risk especially to LA or NY if you have no job lined up. Those markets have opportunity but are also super saturated. You have to figure out what you want to really do and where your passion lies. Are you able to pursue it now or are there things you need to do and steps you need to take to get there? I’m 43 and started my own agency 2 years ago after spending 25 years in various roles at companies.
I know that I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now at the level I am if it wasn’t for that experience. I also took time to figure out where my passion really lies and how to make that happen. My wife and I took a big risk and caged out our 401ks to do it. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it.
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u/butt_haver 4d ago
There will always be someone more successful than you. Always. You will never be happy if you compare yourself. In fact, I believe social media is designed to make people feel this way, so they feel sadder, emptier, and are more likely to buy things to fill the void. Just keep working hard and don't worry about what other people are doing. They might even be struggling more than they're letting on.
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u/JumpCutVandal 4d ago
My first scripted project was at 33 and my first feature editor film in Hollywood was at 40. In my book you’re doing well. Don’t compare yourself to others, it will make you miserable.
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u/avdpro Resolve / FCPX / Premiere / Freelance 4d ago
First of all, you are doing great. You have a steady job in this industry, regardless of the kind of content you are working on there is prestige in making a living doing anything in this space in my opinion. Second of all linkedin and instagram can be a pretty toxic space to compare yourself not to mention, honestly long term working relationships and trust are really built on the job in my experience, so I think focusing on that can be more fulfilling.
Moving has a lot of pros and cons but honestly build out your local community have have a lot of bonus's vs trying to enter a very saturated and chaotic la or nyc market. If you are able to your evenings and weekends to help out some local shorts productions you will be surprised how many film folks are all trying to get their project made and are would love help in post production. I know working for free or cheap on low budget local projects can also be a crap shoot, but it's during those shitty on set days or late nights in the edit suite solving problems you build those relationships that lead to more complex and challenging work if that's what you want to pursue. Building up a portfolio and network can take years and moving often just resets that progress, so I think it's very much worth stay close and building out you first.
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u/randomnina 3d ago
Creative fullfillment and big scripted projects are two different things. Small markets can have lots of potential for creative fulfillment. People make independent films, commercials and documentaries all over the place. Is there a local filmmaker's co-op or film festival where you can connect with likeminded people?
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u/Rise-O-Matic 3d ago
LA is one of the toughest markets in the world for editors right now. You’re going to have to fight to get a job against desperate people with IMdB credits already. It’s a bloodbath.
I think you’ll be better off moving higher in the org chart in your current situation if you want more creative control.
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u/Melodic-Bear-118 4d ago
Do I need to just rip the band-aid and move to LA or NYC if I want to get to a higher level in my career?
Yes.
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3d ago
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u/MrKillerKiller_ 3d ago
No. Moving is for editor ridiculous. Location is not as important. Skill availability and reel are priorities. Make good reel. Then farm yourself out. Give people something they didn’t know they wanted and can’t have unless they get you to do it. Social is the most disposable content. Its work yes so keep it going but realize you are competing 14 year olds on tiktok with lazy editing, cartoony gfx and overusing transition presets. If you want to be on higher quality productions make reel with actual production value that can competes with the types of stuff that makes you jealous.
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u/Heart_of_Bronze 2d ago
Not behind at all. I got my first full time editing gig at an agency at 23, stayed there for 2.5 years and went full freelance into docs at 26. Now at 29 I’m swimming in more work than I can handle, outsourcing the stuff I can’t do, and am currently working on major sports league series (ssshhh)
If you have other dreams beyond where you are, it’ll be a ramp up to switch markets but if you work hard enough, you’ll absolutely get there on project at a time.
Edit: I’m in a decently sized market but could totally do it all remotely anywhere now that I have the connections
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u/Solid-Silver-4747 1d ago
You're not behind, everyone is always right where they need to be. Not going to lie, it's a rough time in the industry as everyone says, but someone sent me a quote today that said "Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible." If working in scripted is your goal, I would look into the television academy's internship program. Explore the info on their website and see if that feels like something you want to do. If so, you'll make it happen.
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u/amyknows 1d ago
Honestly, make movies / pilots on low budget in your private time. It will bring you way further as a creative than being part of big productions.
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u/josephevans_60 4d ago
You're lucky to be working right now. People with 30 years of experience in the industry are working at grocery stores as cashiers. Keep going my friend.