Is it possible to be an editor without going to film school?

Question

I just got back into the film business and I decided I want to do film editing instead of acting. But people tell me that I need to go to a film school to become an editor. Is that really true? Isn't there a way to practice it at home to where I can develop my own film reel (portfolio)?

Answer 1

A Film School is the best place to start if you want to learn more than just the technical skills. The chance to learn about storytelling, how editing styles have changed over the years and experimenting on the work of your peers is invaluable.  

But there are also some short courses that can help you learn whatever you need to know about editing. If you were brought up in the computer age, you can pick up the fundamentals in a day, and the rest you acquire from job to job. Some argue this has led to a large amount of technicians calling themselves editors simply because they know how the package works.

Answer 2

If your work is good then the should give you work once you can prove the work is yours but most film editors have to be really good in programs like adobe after effects if you can figure that out and use it top notch then your good to go if not don't quit your day job