What You Need to Know to Be a Multimedia Editor in Idaho

The state of Idaho features many media-friendly businesses that hire professional multimedia designers.  Multimedia design is the fastest-growing occupation in the field of visual arts, and editing is needed for virtually all film and sound productions.  Resident Idaho artists find ample opportunities in this field.

Idaho Schools and Training Programs for Multimedia Editing

Universities, colleges and film schools throughout the state of Idaho provide a full range of technical training and degree programs in multimedia arts.  Multimedia artists earning degrees at Idaho visual arts colleges typically major in film photography or communications design.  Popular Idaho arts colleges with film divisions include Boise State University in Boise, Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho State University in Pocatello, University of Idaho in Moscow and Broadview University in Meridian, among others.

Some aspiring Idaho artists earn multimedia degrees online.  Successful accredited virtual schools of visual arts include the Academy of Art University, Post University, Full Sail University, Stratford Career Institute, University of Phoenix, The Art Institutes, ITT Tech and DeVry.  Various cyber art schools also feature convenient local campuses and resource facilities.  University of Phoenix has campuses in Meridian and Idaho Falls.  ITT Tech has a campus in Boise. 

Working as a Multimedia Editor in Idaho

A broad itinerary of Idaho businesses hire professional multimedia designers.  Local companies in need of audio-visual editing professionals include animation studios, news syndicates, advertisers, websites, software developers, feature film makers and more.  Audio-visual editors in Idaho sometimes work for local TV stations like Banks-Boise and Northwest-Cable-News in Boise, Journal-Broadcast-Group in Nampa and New Hoss Communications in Twin Falls, to name a few.  Idaho sound editors are often employed by local radio stations like Jazz-Works and KZMG in Boise, Blue-Sky-Broadcasting in Sandpoint and KMOK in Lewiston, among others. 

Professional multimedia editors employed full time in the state of Idaho report an average annual salary of about $40,000, with a mean hourly wage of approximately $20.00.  However, this data (compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) does not reflect the incomes of part time editors, freelance artists or Idaho editors employed by offshore companies.  

Skills of a Professional Multimedia Editor

Multimedia editors are often entirely proficient in most of the technical skills associated with media production.  The job of a production editor is basically the reorganization of media footage into desired configurations.  Thus, audio-visual editors must have a feel for the story line and a highly refined attention to detail.  Multimedia editors use digital editing software programs to shorten, lengthen, darken, lighten or otherwise alter individual shots and sound bites.  Popular software packages used by audio-visual editing professionals include Adobe Premier, After Effects and Final Cut, among others.  Editors are also entirely familiar with Mac and PC, as well as with all related editing devices, equipment and materials.  Employers hiring multimedia editors typically prefer applicants who are proactive, reliable team players with some related experience.