A deputy editor is a professional editor who works in print, the Internet, or video. He or she usually aids the main editor, also known as the editor in chief, in the preparation of films, magazines, books, newspapers, or websites for release. Deputy editors are typically mid-level employees who have received extensive training in their field.
Film editors combine raw footage for a movie or television show, adding sound, visual effects, and music to create a film cut. Film editing is now almost entirely done by extremely fast computers, rather than by hand, as it was once. Under the supervision of the film editor, a deputy editor, also known as an assistant editor, may cut sections of film. They may also assist an editor in any way that is required, such as liaising with post-production houses or maintaining databases. Many deputy editors have worked as editors on student and low-budget films or have attended film school.
Deputy editors are frequently used by magazines and newspapers to edit and maintain specific sections of a publication under the supervision of an editor in chief. The majority of print editors have a background in journalism or writing and have worked in the field they are editing. He or she may or may not be responsible for proofreading stories, features, and columns; some publications have copy editors who are responsible for spelling and grammar checks. A deputy editor must be able to condense and fine-tune articles that require finishing touches, as well as work well with the writers and journalists who report to him.
A deputy editor works in much the same way as a print editor on the Internet. They are assigned specific areas to cover and receive a rough draft of all articles intended for publication in their domain. Because Internet sources are notoriously unreliable, fact-checking is a big part of Internet editing. By checking the background of facts or claims made in an article, conscientious editors can ensure that journalistic standards are upheld.
Jobs for deputy editors in any field may be scarce, especially given the decline of print media in the early twenty-first century. Rather than hiring outside professionals, many companies prefer to promote assistants or writers who have a knack for editing. One of the best ways to break into this field is to establish a reputation as a great writer who consistently submits finished, proofread, and finessed work.