No, it’s not the mandibles-baring, human-hunting, eponymous beast from the “Predator” franchise—though the role might still have people asking, “What the hell are you?” Rather, a preditor is someone who takes on the duties of producer and editor. For many content creators and indie filmmakers, this hybrid role means increased creative control at a lower cost—no plasma cannons required.
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A preditor is both a producer and an editor—someone who handles the entire life cycle of a project from conceptualization and production to editing and final delivery. This role is prevalent in news, reality TV, YouTube, and creative agencies. Duties include:
- Project management: Overseeing the entire production process, and ensuring that projects stay within scope, budget, and deadline
- Content creation: Shooting, directing on set, and managing production teams
- Postproduction: Editing raw footage, adding effects, sound mixing, and ensuring the final product meets quality standards
With the evolution of digital tools and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok, the demand for such multifaceted professionals has skyrocketed. But the pros and cons of being a preditor are not so black and white. Let’s take a closer look at some of the challenges and benefits of this role.
Benefits of being a preditor
- Creative control: You have complete control over every aspect of your project. From the initial idea to the final cut, you can bring your vision to life without compromising.
- Cost effective: Hiring multiple professionals for different roles can be expensive. Taking on these responsibilities yourself eliminates much of the cost.
- Flexibility: With no strict hierarchy or chain of command, you have more flexibility in terms of scheduling and decision-making. This can be especially helpful for independent filmmakers or content creators who have limited resources.
Challenges of being a preditor
- Time management: Taking on multiple roles means you have to juggle various tasks simultaneously, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
- Expertise: You might not have specialized knowledge in each area, which could impact the quality of your work.
- Burnout: With so many responsibilities, it’s easy to overwork yourself. Trying to do everything can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, affecting the overall quality of your project.
Despite these challenges, producing and editing your own project can be advantageous for those who are up for the challenge. To know if it’s right for you or your project, you may want to give the role a trial run.
- Casey Neistat: The YouTube personality has produced high volumes of work while producing and editing each piece himself, earning millions of faithful subscribers.
- Sue-Ellen Chitunya: Chitunya has produced and edited multiple film shorts that went on to be screened at international film festivals, including BFI London, Iris Prize, Outfest, and Tribeca. Though not everyone will be familiar with the Zimbabwean filmmaker’s preditor projects, her contributions as the postproduction coordinator for “Black Panther” (2018) and “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) demonstrate that having multifaceted abilities opens doors in the industry.
- Coen brothers: Together, Joel and Ethan Coen write, produce, direct, and edit many of their own films. While perhaps more accurately defined as auteurs, their desire to retain creative control from preproduction to postproduction is in line with the mentality of many preditors. Watch this clip to learn more about their filmmaking approach.
- Evan Puschak: YouTube video essayist is a prime example of a preditor who writes, animates, and edits entire videos, crafting high-quality content on his own.
1. Develop your technical skills. Start by exploring the ins and outs of both producing and editing.
- Producing: Project organization, budgeting, and managing talent
- Production/camera work: Technical know-how across the basics of lighting, sound, and cinematography
- Editing: Various types of video editing and software like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer
- Encoding and delivery: Converting and distributing content across various formats and platforms
2. Gain experience in both roles. Seek opportunities to work on projects that require both producing and editing so that you can develop a comprehensive understanding of each role and how they complement each other. You might make your own content or find freelance video editor and producer gigs on our comprehensive job database.
3. Build a portfolio. Create a portfolio of your work that allows potential employers and clients to see your range of capabilities.
4. Network. Post your projects on social media and interact with like-minded creators. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops like VidSummit, SXSW, and VidCon to connect with other industry professionals.
According to ZipRecruiter, preditor salaries range from approximately $20,000 to $150,000 per year, with average annual earnings just under $70,000. Of course, this is influenced by location, industry, project, and level of experience.
The Bureau of Labor Services projects job outlook growth over the next decade at 8% for producers and 3% (as fast as the average job growth) for editors—and it’s likely that the demand for preditors, specifically, is growing, driven by the need for streamlined, cost-efficient production processes. If you’re up to the challenge, the future of content creation could very well be in your favor as a preditor.