Editor of Billy Elliot film awarded honorary degree

Leading British film editor, John Wilson has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts by Solent University today (Wednesday 11 July 2018). 

With over 51 credits to his name, John has worked on major films including The Draughtsman’s Contract, Billy Elliot, The History Boys, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, The Book Thief, London Road and Me Before You.  

"My advice to students would be to become a film editor if you can, it is the best job there is in the film industry and there are reasons for that. You are on a production from start to finish, only the director or perhaps the producer has that attachment, and you get to be in an air conditioned cutting room," John says.

John started his career cutting documentaries at the Central Office of Information where he met director Peter Greenaway and began a long and fruitful collaboration. His career then broadened into a raft of critically acclaimed feature films including Billy Elliot, which gained 13 BAFTA and three Oscar nominations, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Film Editing.  

John has also left his mark in television, editing 13 episodes of Downton Abbey, which gained two HPA awards, a BAFTA and two Emmy nominations. 

Moving between cinema and television, John’s most recent work, The Miniaturist, was released over Christmas 2017. 

John is a visiting fellow at Solent University and returns regularly to conduct workshops with the students. John also gives students the opportunity to join him for work experience, giving them a valuable insight into the industry. 

John shared his tops tips with students: "I think you have just got to be keen, have humility, and you need to be able to work as part of a team. When you can do all of that and you have ambition, you will do what you want to do."