Once a project has been filmed, it’s far from being finished. It takes a team of professionals with exceptional creativity and skill to edit all the shots, add and enhance the sound, and then overlay the music to bring emotion to the scenes. Explore the world of in-demand post-production careers in the Toronto screen industry.
Post-Production Supervision roles oversee all post-production aspects of a project and play a liaison role in the timely delivery of a screen project. Experience in project management, administration and an understanding of production and post-production roles and responsibilities are key to develop for these types of roles.
The Guild representing Post-Production supervision roles is Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario. The job descriptions are provided by the Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario.
The Post Production Supervisor (PPS) is the administrative liaison between the Editorial department and Producers and Production Managers. In consultation with both the Picture and Sound Editors, this role is responsible for budgeting and scheduling all post production activities of a screen project. They oversee scheduling screenings, spotting sessions, Automated Dialog Replacement (ADR) sessions, mixes and playbacks and administer required contracts and paperwork for post production.
Post Production Coordinator (PPC) assists the Post Production Supervisors in any and all aspects of their duties.
Post Production Assistant (PPA) supports by helping with paperwork, shipping, filing, and running errands, and provides general help in the editing department.
The Picture Editing department takes the raw footage from a film or TV production and combines it into the proper sequences to create the final picture. Working closely with the Director, this department is responsible for the flow of each scene to ensure the story successfully unfolds from start to finish.
Experience in photography, videography, image manipulation and knowledge of editing software(s) are key assets for this department.
The Guild representing all Picture Editing positions is Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario. Industry Group: Editors Canada (Editors’ Association of Canada). The job descriptions are provided by the Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario.
The Picture Editor (PE) is the creative Head of the Department and supervises any editorial assistants. The PE works closely with the Director in crafting the final story and must understand dramatic storytelling techniques to create rhythm, pace and tension. The Editor and Director work together in refining the dailies (the unedited footage for a movie or TV show that is collected at the end of each day) into an assembly edit which will then be approved by the Producers.
The First Assistant Picture Editor (1PE) oversees the day-to-day operations of the Editing Room and must have a thorough understanding of the post production process as well as an aptitude for computer-based technology and editing software. They require excellent communication skills, the ability to follow direction and strong attention to detail. This role communicates daily with the heads of the Production, Sound and Camera departments, while keeping the Picture Editor informed of all information concerning the editing of the film.
The Assistant Picture Editor (APE) works under the direction of the 1PE, assisting with duties in the editing room. An APE needs a basic knowledge of the software and technology used throughout the editing process.
The Trainee Assistant Picture Editor (TAPE) is a trainee position, working under the supervision of the 1PE and/or APE, assisting with the needs of the editing room. This role is a great entry point opportunity for new and emerging editors.
The Sound Editing department manages all recorded and available post-production sound elements and works closely with the Director and Picture Editor to create the soundscape of the screen project.
Experience in sound recording, audio manipulation and the music industry are considered an asset.
The Guild representing Sound Editing positions is Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario. The job descriptions provided by the Directors Guild of Canada Ontario. Industry Group: Guild of Music Supervisors.
The Sound Editor (SE) manages all of the post-production sound elements including dialogue, automated dialog replacement (ADR) recording, sound effects and Foley (a unique sound effect technique). They have an excellent knowledge of the entire sound editing process and are responsible for the organization of all materials and their synchronization and assembly. They also work closely with the Re-recording Mixers in creating the final mix of all sound elements into a seamless synchronized soundtrack.
Music Editors (ME) are responsible for the preparation of all music materials and the synchronization and assembly of all music tracks. They work closely with the Composers and other Sound Editors and have an excellent understanding of music recording techniques and music structure.
First Assistant Sound Editor (1SE) works in a fast-paced environment and must possess excellent knowledge of computer software and recording electronics. They require excellent listening skills and an organized approach and work closely with the various Sound Editors, Picture Editors and Re-recording Mixers.
Trainee Assistant Sound Editor (TASE) is a training position, working under the direction of the 1SE, assisting with the needs of the editing room.
Foley artist is tasked with recreating realistic ambient sounds that are portrayed on screen. Recording of sounds like walking shoes on a hard floor or on crackling leaves, the putting down of a mug on a table, the running of water can be visually recorded by the camera yet not translating in the soundscape at a desired level. The Foley artist brings extraordinarily creative ideas to sound making, including the utilization and manipulation of objects and materials that have nothing to do with the on-screen representation.
Automated Dialogue Replacement Editor/ Mixer (ADR Editor/Mixer) is tasked with the re-recording and replacement of un-captured or poorly-captured dialogue lines during the film shoot. Actors often have to re-record dialogue lines that need to be seamlessly integrated into the film’s dialogue tracks. The ADR mixer schedules and records or re-records the necessary lines with the actors as they recreate the sound environment to match the shoot and integrate the final product into the dialogue track.
Music is often a central aspect of screen projects and can be essential to conveying the mood or atmosphere of a scene. The soundscape of a film, television, video or commercial is as important as the visuals.
Experience in sound recording, audio manipulation and the general music industry experience are considered strong assets.
A Music Supervisor oversees all music-related aspects of a film, television, advertisement, video game and or other visual media platform. The Music Supervisor must possess a comprehensive knowledge of how music impacts the visual medium. The Music Supervisor works with the key decision makers and/or designated creative team to collectively determine the musical vision, tone and style that best suits the project.
Composer writes the musical score, background score or theme of a screen project. They work closely with the Director to determine the soundscape and desired atmosphere necessary to best tell the narrative through music, and the music’s relationship to the image and dialogue.
Orchestrator creates the final scores created by the Composer and assigns parts and instruments to perform and record the score.
Music Coordinator works with the Supervisor, Composer and/or Music Editors to ensure royalty dues are paid out, create sheets with the Orchestrator and assists in securing rights to existing music.
The Copyist is responsible for reviewing and proofreading scores as well as preparing individual score parts for musicians and recording staff.
Film Score Conductor oversees and conducts scoring sessions with musicians.
Recording Engineers work with the Conductor and performing musicians on the technical aspects of the recording session. They often work with Sound Editors and Directors on getting to the desired recordings for the project.