Raw Footage

Term from Video Editing industry explained for recruiters

Raw footage is the original, unedited video material captured by cameras before any editing work is done. Think of it like the ingredients before cooking a meal. Video editors work with raw footage to create the final polished video by cutting, arranging, and enhancing these original recordings. This unprocessed material often includes multiple takes of the same scene, different camera angles, and sometimes imperfect moments that will be removed in the final version. When someone mentions raw footage in their resume, they're typically talking about their experience handling and organizing original video materials before the editing process begins.

Examples in Resumes

Managed over 500 hours of Raw Footage for documentary productions

Developed efficient organization system for Raw Footage and Unedited Footage storage

Converted and processed Raw Footage from multiple camera formats for editing team

Typical job title: "Video Editors"

Also try searching for:

Video Editor Post-Production Specialist Digital Media Editor Content Editor Film Editor Media Manager Footage Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage large amounts of raw footage for multiple projects?

Expected Answer: Should discuss organized filing systems, backup strategies, logging methods, and tools used to manage footage across multiple projects efficiently. Should mention collaboration with team members and storage solutions.

Q: What's your process for evaluating raw footage quality and making decisions about usability?

Expected Answer: Should explain their experience in assessing technical aspects like exposure, focus, and sound quality, as well as creative elements like performance and composition. Should discuss how they communicate issues to production teams.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you organize raw footage when receiving it from multiple sources?

Expected Answer: Should describe their system for labeling, categorizing, and storing footage from different cameras or shoots, including naming conventions and folder structures.

Q: What's your process for backing up raw footage?

Expected Answer: Should explain their backup procedures, including multiple storage locations, verification processes, and how they ensure footage safety throughout the editing process.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic steps do you take when receiving new raw footage?

Expected Answer: Should mention reviewing footage, basic organization, creating backups, and checking for any technical issues before starting the edit.

Q: How do you log raw footage for editing?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic logging techniques, like noting good takes, marking important moments, and creating simple descriptions of footage content.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic footage organization
  • Simple logging and labeling
  • File conversion knowledge
  • Basic quality checking

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced organization systems
  • Multiple camera format handling
  • Efficient backup procedures
  • Quality control expertise

Senior (5+ years)

  • Large-scale footage management
  • Team coordination
  • Complex project organization
  • Workflow optimization

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience with footage organization systems
  • Lack of backup procedures knowledge
  • Poor understanding of different video formats
  • No experience handling multiple camera sources

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