Lessons from the Top Film Editors

The Importance of Humility in Editing

In this section, the importance of humility in editing is discussed.

Keeping Your Ego in Check

• It's important to be confident as an editor but keep your ego in check.

• When collaborating, remember it's not about you, it's about the final product.

Putting the Project First

• Many editors make it about their own clever editing tricks instead of what it means for the project and story.

• All Oscar-winning editors want to do the best they can for their director.

Balancing Personal Vision with Director's Vision

This section discusses how to balance personal vision with a director's vision.

Trusting Your Own Vision

• Edit thinking of what you want, not just what the director wants. That's what the director wants from you.

• Sometimes lines that an editor thinks are extraneous turn out to be necessary for the project when played for the director.

Collaborating with Directors

• After showing an editor's cut to a director, it becomes another film entirely.

• Directors may ask editors to put back lines that were previously removed after living with them for some time.

The Importance of Trusting the Editing Process

In this section, Steve and Sven discuss the importance of trusting the editing process and building a good relationship with the director. They also talk about how bad ideas can lead to good ideas.

Building a Good Relationship with the Director

• Steve talks about how he once pissed off a director by cutting lines from a scene without giving him a chance to see it as intended.

• He explains that even if he had convinced the director that they didn't need those lines, he might have always wondered what it would have looked like if they'd stayed.

• Steve emphasizes that editing is not a one-and-done kind of thing and takes place over weeks or months or even years. He advises editors to trust the process and build good relationships with their directors.

Bad Ideas Lead to Good Ideas

• Sven brings up the idea that bad ideas can lead to good ideas.

• Steve gives an example from his interview with Joe Walker about cutting "Arrival". Denis Villeneuve wanted a scene where Amy Adams' character is dreaming in the alien language, but it wasn't in the script or shot. Joe thought it was a stupid idea at first, but trusted Denis and eventually made it work.

Being Open-Minded and Willing to Collaborate

In this section, Steve and Sven discuss Kelly Dixon's advice on being open-minded and willing to collaborate. They also talk about how every scene is contextual and editing is just a process of revision.

Be Open-Minded and Willing to Collaborate

• Steve talks about Kelly Dixon's advice to be willing to lay aside preconceived notions and re-examine them in a new context.

• He emphasizes the importance of having an open mind at all times and remembering that collaborators and other people have ideas too.

Editing is Just a Process of Revision

• Steve explains that editing is just a process of revision and every scene is contextual.

• He points out that out of three thousand movies, there are maybe 20 examples where you just cut a scene and it's done.

Creating a Video Resume

In this section, Steve talks about the importance of creating a video resume and how to do it.

How to Create a Video Resume

• A video resume is designed to showcase your skills and abilities.

• The course takes you through the concept, shoot, and edit of creating a video resume.

• The first 500 people who sign up through the link in the video description get a two-month free trial.

Organizing Material for Editing

In this section, Steve discusses why it's critical for editors to be organized and how they can compartmentalize material for better editing.

Why Organization is Critical

• When watching dailies or building a selects reel, your brain starts organizing and beginning the editorial process.

• Understanding what can be ignored is key to organizing material effectively.

Compartmentalizing Material for Better Editing

• Breaking down material into smaller chunks helps with organization.

• Understanding the material allows you to build the story from that point.

Building Storytelling Skills

In this section, Steve talks about how storytelling is a muscle that can be built up over time with practice.

Building Storytelling Skills

• Storytelling is a skill that can be improved with lots of practice.

• Joke-telling is an example of short-form storytelling where misdirection leads to an unexpected punchline.

Be Careful with Reaction Shots

In this section, Sven and Steve discuss why editors need to be careful with reaction shots.

Why Editors Need to Be Careful with Reaction Shots

• Overuse of reaction shots can detract from the story.

• Glenn Ficarra's use of jump cuts in "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" is an example of how editing can tell a story without dialogue.

The Importance of On-Camera Dialogue

In this section, Hamilton and Lee Smith discuss the importance of on-camera dialogue and how it helps to create a more immersive experience for the audience.

On-Camera Dialogue

• Hamilton emphasizes that if a specific piece of information is important, it should be conveyed through on-camera dialogue.

• Lee Smith agrees with Hamilton's point and adds that playing a line off can diminish its impact.

• According to Hamilton, creating the world of the dream is crucial in bringing the subject into that dream and filling it with their subconscious.

• Both Hamilton and Smith stress the importance of being strict in editing whether to play a line over or off. They believe that being on the person who's listening is emotionally more interesting than being on the person speaking.

Reaction Shots Bring Audience into Scene

In this section, Tyler Nelson explains why reaction shots are done in certain ways and how they help bring the audience into a scene.

Reaction Shots

• Tyler Nelson describes how reaction shots work by showing close-ups of characters' faces as they react to what's happening in a scene.

• These reaction shots help bring the audience into the scene by allowing them to see what's going on through the eyes of other characters.

• Nelson uses an example from "Mindhunter" where even though a local detective doesn't say anything during an interrogation scene, his reaction shots convey his thoughts and feelings about what's happening.

• According to Nelson, reaction shots can be used to show a character's thought process and help the audience understand what's going on in their head.

Importance of Watching Editing Lessons

In this section, Steve Hullfish discusses the importance of watching editing lessons and how they can help editors improve their craft.

Watching Editing Lessons

• Steve Hullfish believes that watching editing lessons is tremendously helpful in learning about the process of editing and understanding why certain choices are made.

• He argues that while some people may think that editing is all intuition, it's important to be able to explain analytically why certain choices were made.

• Hullfish emphasizes the importance of putting what you learn into action immediately, especially when doing training sessions for companies.

Watching YouTube Videos on Filmmaking

In this section, Sven and Steve discuss the benefits of watching YouTube videos on filmmaking and how to apply the tips shared in these videos.

Applying Tips from YouTube Videos

• Steve shares that there is a whole section on shot sizes in his videos and why specific sizes were chosen.

• He also mentions that he has picked up many tips from numerous interviews.

• Sven thanks viewers for watching.

Bonus Content

• A worksheet by Steve and a bonus video are available to Patreon members.

• Consider joining Patreon to take your editing skills to the next level.