Thanks for the tips guys. I have no problem doing interning as long as it gets me somewhere. Does anyone know any decent non big name film schools that offer the creative side of editing?
do you know where "somewhere" is at this point?
do you have a goal?
that's your first step.
having energy and desire are great things, but you need a goal to focus it.
what do you want to edit?
as for film schools...they don't offer courses in "creative" editing.
they teach you the theories behind editing, the equipment/software used, etc...
but the creativity comes from the editor.
it's not something you can teach.
it's something that is developed over time.
and what wil make you a great editor will not be found sitting in front of a computer trying to decide between a 10 frame or 7 frame dissolve for a particular moment in the timeline.
film schools can teach you the "math" of editing.
life experience can teach you the "creativity" of editing.
Take a look at
Walter Murch's background.
liberal arts degree, met likeminded people in college that helped him get his first job on a film as a sound mixer/editor.
one thing you should do is constantly educate yourself.
go out and shoot video, import it and then edit it.
shoot anything. cats playing, people talking, sports, something scripted, etc...
then see if you can cut it together into something coherent.
show it to people and get feedback, take it in and compare it how you feel about it.
the other thing to do is to watch everything as an editor.
I do a lot of work as a director and editor of live music.
when I'm not working I spend my time on the internet searching for, downloading, and watching other people in my field are doing.
I look at camera positions, style choices, speed they cut at, etc...and then the stuff I like I try to incorporate into my own work.
use the internet to your advantage. download and watch everything that interests you. then try to recreate the elements/choices/edits you like over and over until you are happy. it's like learning to play a song on a guitar. you get up everyday and practice so when the opportunity for the big gig arrives you are ready to go.
another thing to consider: many of the great editors are artistically inclined
they paint, sketch, play music, etc...things you won't learn in film school.
it's those hobbies and the disciplines they require that inform and inspire their
creativity in the edit suite.
if there's any regret I have is that I never learned to sketch or draw.
btw - if you haven't watched this already you should:
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing
good luck.