EP112 Jim Turner, Education & Training Coordinator at the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild – TV Matters
Today’s guest is Jim Turner, Education & Training Coordinator at the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild. Jim is an Avid Certified Master Instructor (ACI), Avid Certified Support Representative (ACSR), and an assistant editor. I met Jim when he was the Training & Operations manager at the Moviola Education Center in Hollywood. And yes, it’s the same Moviola company that built editing machines back in 1924.
Between leaving Moviola and landing at the Editor’s Guild, Jim taught at many prestigious film schools, including The American Film Institute, AFI, The Georgia Film Academy, and Chapman University.
Jim’s Start in Hollywood
Imagine this: you’re an actor working on a show alongside David Carradine on the set of Kung Fu. Sounds pretty cool, right? That was Jim Turner’s reality as a child. Fast forward a few decades, and Jim redefined himself on a different kind of set – crafting stories not with fists but with his fingers, dancing around keyboard shortcuts in the editing room.
His path to becoming an AVID-certified instructor and assistant editor, hired by the prestigious Motion Picture Editors Guild, was anything but a straight line. Jim had a long stint as a musician, working for Disney at parks worldwide, including in Japan. In his 40s, Jim returned to the US, with the opportunity for a career change. He wanted to work on TV shows and movies, but this time, he wanted to be behind the scenes. That’s when he took a course at Moviola and fell in love with editing, the invisible hand shaping narratives.
A Passion for Shaping Stories
The editing bug bit Jim during a Moviola editing class. Taking classes at Moviola as a student was expensive for Jim because he was simultaneously building his young family. That’s when he joined Moviola as an intern, allowing him to take classes for free. While initially aiming to become an editor, he discovered another passion while taking courses – teaching. Sharing his knowledge and seeing students grasp the art of editing scratched his industry itch and skipped years of working through assistant editing. “I realized, ‘You know what? There’s a lot of people out there that want to learn how to edit, and there’s a lot of information out there, but it can be overwhelming,” Jim recalls, reflecting on his transition from aspiring editor to instructor. “And if I can take my experience and break it down into teachable chunks, that would be a valuable service.”
From Moviola Maestro to Editors Guild Guru
For twelve years, Moviola became Jim’s home. He rose through the ranks to become the school’s Director of Education, guiding aspiring editors through the intricate world of editing software like Media Composer and Premiere Pro. However, as the industry shifted towards online learning, Moviola’s education center had to close its doors.
This wasn’t the end, though. Jim’s dedication to his craft and experience freelance teaching at some of Hollywood’s most prestigious film schools, landed him a coveted position at the Editors Guild (MPEG 700). Now, he’s helping seasoned editors stay ahead of the curve by offering cutting-edge training programs.
Why Editors Never Stop Learning
The technology of editing is a whirlwind of constant evolution. Software gets updated, new workflows emerge, and yesterday’s hot tech can quickly become yesterday’s news. This is why even the most experienced editors need to be lifelong learners.
The Editors Guild, with Jim at the helm of their education programs, understands this. They offer a diverse range of classes, from introductory courses on Media Composer to advanced workshops exploring the latest film workflows, to building courses on the integration of AI in editing. Whether it’s mastering a new software version or plugging a knowledge gap, the Guild caters to every editor’s needs.
Jim emphasizes the importance of continuous learning: “The technology is always changing, and if you don’t keep up with the technology, you’re going to get left behind. There’s always something new to learn.”
It’s Your Turn to Take a Class
If you’re a member of the Editor’s Guild, you should contact Jim and ask him what classes are available to you. The ever-evolving nature of Hollywood careers means that your next work opportunity is not just about the initial training or the lucky break; it’s about a commitment to constant improvement. The Editors Guild, with its focus on lifelong learning, embodies this spirit.
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