Sony Pictures Animation hiring Editor, Los Angeles

Job Overview

• Company: Sony Pictures Animation
• Role Title: Editor (Feature Animation)
• Location: Culver City / Los Angeles, California
• Job Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
• Primary Tool: Avid Media Composer
• Experience Required: 5+ years in Animation Editorial
• Union Status: Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreement (IATSE Local 700)

Sony Pictures Animation, a world-renowned pre-production powerhouse based in Culver City, California, is seeking a visionary Editor to join our creative ranks. We are the studio behind groundbreaking hits like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

We pride ourselves on a culture that empowers filmmakers and ensures the “hand of the artist” is felt in every frame.

As an Artist here, you are not just a technician; you are a storyteller. You will be the architect of pacing, the arbiter of acting beats, and the final gatekeeper of quality.

If you have a passion for bold, innovative visual storytelling and the technical mastery to back it up, we invite you to help us shape the future of animation.

Salary & Compensation Table

Sony Pictures Animation offers a competitive weekly rate in accordance with industry standards and union regulations. The actual salary offered is determined by experience, portfolio strength, and specific project requirements.

Detailed Responsibilities: The Narrative Pulse

The Editor at Sony Pictures Animation serves as the “third writer” of the film. You will work from the earliest stages of the animatic through to the final delivery of the animated version.

1. Creative Decision-Making & Storytelling

• Pacing & Rhythm: You are responsible for the heartbeat of the film. You will make critical decisions regarding the timing of cuts to maximize emotional impact, comedic timing, and action clarity.

• Performance Editing: Work with voice recordings to select the best takes, shaping character arcs through dialogue and subtle breathing/reaction cues.

• Sound & Music: Beyond visual cuts, you will integrate music and sound effects (SFX) that define the quality and atmosphere of the project. This may include mixing materials directly within Avid to provide a rich auditory experience for internal screenings.

2. Technical Leadership & Pipeline Management

• Workflow Supervision: Oversee the correct presentation of all editorial materials for production screenings. You ensure that exports to third parties (VFX vendors, lighting, etc.) are technically flawless and delivered on schedule.

• Pipeline Integration: Serve as a bridge between production and post-production operations. You are responsible for “feeding” the pipeline, ensuring that the animation and lighting departments have the precise editorial references they need to proceed.

• Change Management: Following production screenings, you will oversee the rapid incorporation of notes and changes, maintaining version control in a fast-paced environment.

3. High-Level Collaboration

• Filmmaker Liaison: Work directly with Directors, Producers, and Creative Executives. You must be able to translate abstract creative notes into concrete editorial adjustments.

• Notes Sessions: Attend and actively participate in high-stakes notes sessions. You are expected to offer creative solutions to story problems discovered during the assembly phase.

• Mentorship: As a Senior member of the production team, you will interact with production staff and VFX professionals to ensure a cohesive vision across all departments.

Qualifications: The Editor’s Toolkit

we are looking for a veteran of the animation industry who understands that animation editing is fundamentally different from live-action editing.

Essential Skills:

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years specifically within an animation editorial department (feature film experience highly preferred).

• Technical Mastery: High degree of proficiency in Avid Media Composer. You should be comfortable managing complex, multi-layered sequences and high-volume bins.

• Pipeline Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the feature animation pipeline, specifically the transition from 2D storyboards/animatics to 3D layout and final render.

• Multi-Tasking: The ability to juggle multiple sequences or even multiple projects simultaneously without a decrease in quality or attention to detail.

Interpersonal Attributes:

• Strong Teammate: You must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Editorial is the “hub” of a production; you must be able to work well with every department.

• Organizational Excellence: A rare combination of high-level creativity and rigid organizational skills.

• Pressure Management: Ability to stay calm and focused during crunch periods leading up to major screenings or studio deliveries.

Industry Insights: Diversity in Animation Editorial

At Sony Pictures Animation, we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or other protected characteristics. We believe that a diverse editorial team leads to better storytelling.

According to the 2024 Animation Guild (TAG) and Industry Diversity Reports, the demographics within the animation editorial sector have shown a steady shift toward greater inclusivity, though work remains:

• Gender Representation: Approximately 38% of editors in animation identify as women or non-binary, a significant increase from the previous decade.

• Ethnic Diversity: Editors from underrepresented racial groups now make up roughly 29% of the workforce in major Los Angeles animation studios.

• The “Studio Effect”: Sony Pictures Animation specifically has been lauded for its diverse leadership and its commitment to projects that highlight global perspectives (e.g., Across the Spider-Verse).

Why Sony Pictures Animation?

We are a “pre-production” studio, which means the focus is on the creative spark. We offer an environment where:

• The Artist is Central: We empower our filmmakers to lead. Your editorial voice will be heard and valued.

• Innovation is Standard: We aren’t afraid to break the “rules” of animation. Our editors play a key role in developing new visual languages.

• Culver City Legacy: Work in a historic creative hub with access to the full resources of the Sony Pictures Entertainment ecosystem.

• Comprehensive Benefits: As a union position, you receive top-tier healthcare and pension benefits that provide long-term security for you and your family.

Application Requirements

To be considered for this prestigious role, please submit the following:

1. Resume: Detailing your years of experience in Avid-based animation editorial and your list of shipped feature/series credits.

2. Portfolio/Reel: Examples of your work that demonstrate your sense of pacing, sound design, and character performance. (Password-protected links are accepted).

3. Note on Availability: Given the project-based nature of feature animation, please indicate your current availability for long-term engagements.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

Final Thoughts

The Editor is the heartbeat of Sony Pictures Animation. You are the one who ensures that the vision of the artists and directors reaches the audience with maximum clarity and emotion. If you are ready to work on the most innovative animated projects in the world, we want to see your portfolio.