High-end TV First assistant editor to editor

The high-end TV First assistant editor to editor training course will give you a taste of sitting in the editing chair.

This in-person 2-day training course is designed to not only equip you with key skills as an editor but also to expand on your existing expertise. By the end of the course, you’ll gain a deeper insight into the working practices of an editor within the context of high-end Television (HETV) production in the UK.

With practice material from a real world broadcast show as well as discussions on concepts such as using your assistants, applying notes and revisions, managing evolving edits and feeding back to executives.

This is the ideal setting for experienced assistants to hone their editing skills as well be introduced to topics they may not yet have considered that are essential for every editing room.

The training will be delivered over 2 full days in small groups (maximum of 7 people) using current technology and utilising Media Composer as the main industry tool.

The programme is supported by the ScreenSkills High-end Television made up of contributions from high-end television productions made in the UK.

Who it's for

This course is designed for:

• established assistant editors who want to “step up”
• newly appointed editors
• junior editors and assembly editors

It’s especially valuable for professionals who often hand over material and move onto the next project before seeing it through to delivery.

We offer inclusive training. If you have any requirements which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them: training@gorillagroup.tv

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

This is a nationwide programme so we welcome applications from across the UK. There may be bursaries available to help with travel, accommodation and care costs if applicable - please email us for more info.

What it covers

What you’ll learn:

• refining your role, embracing creativity
• collaboration - utilising your assistant
• edit practices
• assemble edit, share & reviews
• VFX in the offline
• music spotting and temping
• refining the edit
• reviews & notes

In addition to providing an overview of the  role, we will focus on the position itself, with an emphasis on the tasks, and communication needs of the editor and the teamwork involved. We will also consider the variability in production setups, where these divisions may be less rigid, and highlight the primary objective: supporting the production, director and producer to ensure a smooth process.

The training will include soft and transferable skills, along with technical training, to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities required to transition into the role of editor.

How to apply

The course will be delivered in person across four UK locations where you will have access to your own edit suite (Media Composer installed) with supportive material from a shared storage solution (NEXIS).

Course dates:

• Glasgow: Saturday & Sunday 7 & 8 February 2026 – 10.00 to 16.00
  Deadline for applications is 1 February 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 3 February   
• Manchester: Saturday & Sunday 21 & 22February 2026 – 10.00 to 16.00
  Deadline for applications is 14 February 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 16 February
• Cardiff: Saturday & Sunday 21 & 22 March 2026 – 10.00 to 16.00
  Deadline for applications is 14 March 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 16 March
• London: Saturday & Sunday 28 & 29 March 2026 – 10.00 to 16.00
  Deadline for applications is 21 March 2026. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on 23 March

Click 'apply now' to submit your application once you have chosen one of the locations. You will need to be logged into your ScreenSkills account to complete your application.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to funding, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

Please note that lunch is not provided

Contact information

Name: Paul Hawke-Williams
Email: training@gorillagroup.tv