Leikkaaja

Leikkaaja is a Finnish noun used to denote a film or video editor. In Finnish film and television production, a leikkaaja is the person responsible for assembling raw footage into a finished work. Tasks include selecting takes, creating a rough cut, refining pacing and rhythm, ensuring narrative continuity, syncing picture with sound, and overseeing transitions, color adjustments, and basic audio work. The editor works closely with the director and other post-production staff to realize the intended storytelling vision and may propose changes to structure or performance. The role can vary by project; in some cases the leikkaaja has substantial influence over the final form, while in others they implement decisions made by the director.

Editors typically use non-linear editing software such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro, and may also handle organization of assets, version control, and collaboration with sound designers, composers, and visual effects artists. The profession requires a sense of narrative timing, attention to continuity, technical proficiency, and effective communication skills. In Finnish cinema and television, credits list the job as “leikkaaja” or “leikkaajat” for plural.

Historically, film editing began with manual cutting and splicing of film stock and evolved to digital non-linear editing in the late 20th century, expanding possibilities for montage, pace, and parallel storytelling. See also film editing; non-linear editing; Finnish cinema.