Joining a Film Union · IATSE Local 700, Motion Picture Editors Guild
Editor / Post: how to join IATSE
The editorial and post department cuts the film: picture, sound, color, and the assistants who keep the media organized. It's IATSE Local 700, one national local, with day counts that vary by classification, so editors and colorists qualify on different bars.
Good to know
Post is one national local, the Motion Picture Editors Guild, Local 700, covering picture, sound, and the assistants. Each classification qualifies on its own day count, and almost nobody starts as the editor: the standard path is assistant editor first, banking covered days until you can move up.
Roles in this craft
The jobs that make up this craft, each with its own page on pay, the day-to-day, and how to break in.
How to join, step by step
Know your union
- Post is the Motion Picture Editors Guild, Local 700, one national local.
- It covers picture, sound, and the assistants, each on its own day count.
Start as an assistant
- Almost nobody starts as the editor: assistant editor is the standard way in.
- Master the media management, software, and organization the cutting room runs on.
Work covered days
- In LA, covered days register with Contract Services; elsewhere, apply to the local.
- Post houses and covered productions are where the days come from.
Roster and join
- Hit your classification's day count and you can join Local 700.
- Keep deal memos and pay stubs.
What you’ll need
- Day log: 175 days in 3 years (editors) or 100 in 2 (colorists)
- Call sheets and payroll paperwork backing every day
- Initiation + quarterly dues funds
Find your local
IATSE Local 700, Motion Picture Editors Guild membership runs through a local for your market. Look up the one that covers where you work on the union’s site.