Post-Production

Nice find, Maurice Vaughan I see many similarities between writing the first draft of a screenplay and the first edit in post: get it down. Don't expect it to be Oscar worthy on the first attempt.

I also liked Kent's tip for getting through an edit quickly by working problems from big to small.

And finally, perhaps my fav bit, "The mouse is lava!" Same for software programming. The mouse is a time killer. I cringe when I watch some reach for the mouse when a quick one-two keyboard combo completes the task instantly.

Thx for sharing!

You're welcome, Ty Strange. I try to do the same thing ("edit quickly by working problems from big to small"). The keyboard shortcuts save me A LOT of time, especially when I'm switching between windows and copying/pasting.

Maurice Vaughan I love how he starts this out to grab our attention, and show his editing chops at the same time.

Yeah, Kent does a great job grabbing our attention in his videos, Debbie Elicksen. He knows his stuff, and he explains things really clearly. His videos are some of my favorites. He has editing videos, screenwriting videos, filmmaking videos, and more.

I work as a professional editor and post-pro as well. His tips are fine for very short-form, client-work with relative simple setups. I do similar things for those types of jobs. And keyboard shortcuts are always great to use as is some type of hardware controller device (shuttle wheel so much better than JKL keys for me). But beyond the organized project method, these techniques will create more problems than they solve on a feature, complex project or collaborative projects. I've posted some stuff from Eddie Hamilton that is a much better guide on narrative, bigger, collaborative project workflows.

This is a GREAT read. The film is conceptual on many levels and has remarkable cuts and scene transitions. Such a brilliant move involving his editor from the very beginning. Very cool.

I love that. Bringing them in early is a great way for the editor to think ahead while saving time and $ at the end.

Cool. I used to watch these guys all the time, haha.

I am addicted to VFX Artists React. This was a great episode seeing Previz at work.

Me too, Stephen Van Vuuren! We watch them every Saturday!

Pre-Viz looks like a great tool for pre-production, Ashley Renee Smith. I've heard a little about Pre-Viz, but I didn't know it played such a big part in making a movie.

Great share, Stephen Van Vuuren! Eddie Hamilton's method of saving (9, 9.1, 9.2, etc.) sounds great for keeping editing files organized and sharing them. I saw "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" on streaming. It's incredible, like all of the "Mission: Impossible" movies. Looking forward to Part Two.

Hi Stephen Van Vuuren! Thanks for sharing this! Great resource.

This is incredibly cool and helpful to us (extremely) amateur editors who are still learning the buttons on the keyboard much less the organization of a blockbuster film. Thanks so much, Stephen Van Vuuren!

Ashley Renee Smith Interesting video, thanks! I think he's got some valid points but there are some counterpoints for Stage 32 folks worth considering as his video and experience is slanted to social media work, not narrative storytelling.

His "choose one platform" has some truth but if you want to be successful as a freelancer (which most editors are), you will need to comfortable in Avid, Premiere Pro, Resolve and FCPx, but while mastering one is important but you should try to learn at least two more passably. This helps you learn editing apart from software as many people confuse learning editing from learning editing software. They actually have little to do with each other. I really encourage a new editor to edit at least one short on film with a film splicer or edit a short film in-camera with NO post. This helps you learn editing apart from software.

His point about about analyzing editors is valid but he suggests emulating your top 5 "creators". Unfortunately, online video editing is very limited in style and approach. I would strongly suggest looking outside of online social media to learn storytelling through edit before emulating online editors.

Things get fully on track from there as I totally agree about his point about joining a community of editors. Just make sure there are editors from all walks: documentary, narrative, commercials, music video etc.

And again, his next point about consistent practice is 100% on target. He wraps it up very nicely with his message about patience which is the most important aspect and a great thought to leave editors with.

Vince Opra gives great advice in the video, Ashley Renee Smith! Watching videos like this, webinars on Stage 32, etc. can save creatives so much time and money. And prevent a lot of stress and headaches.

Stephen Van Vuuren, your point about learning editing vs. learning editing software makes a lot of sense! It's an art form as much as a skill set and you definitely need to hone your eye for various types if editing, as much as you need to become skilled in the tools available to do so. Thank you for pointing that out!

You're welcome, Elena Maro . My pleasure!

FYI everyone- I am available to do music supervision and/or clearance and licensing for your project. Let me know if you'd like a consultation.

Alan Brewer can I add you and message you with my music?

Hello Alan,

Welcome to Stage 32.

Have a good day.

Thanks, Alan, for all this detailed information. Good things to know ahead of time.

Love this channel. I’ve watched quite a few of his videos. He has one on L-cuts that really shows their importance.

Great find, Stephen Van Vuuren. Thx for sharing.

Thanks for sharing, Stephen Van Vuuren! I also LOVE the webinar you recently taught here at Stage 32 (https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Maximize-Post-Production-Before-...)

THANKS Stephen Van Vuuren will surely check it out!

Sam Sokolow , thanks for the kind words, I had a blast running it.

Thank you, Ashley Renee Smith . I am still working on editing in premiere and aspire to this kind of prowess. This is an awesome share for editors at every level.

Great share, @Ashley Renee Smith! Darren explains things so clearly.

Great channel! I've been a subscriber for some time.

Agreed, Maurice Vaughan! He's very knowledgable and he knows how to explain things in a way that doesn't feel confusing or overwhelming.

Stephen Van Vuuren - You have given us some great advice here and in your AMA, I'm going to have to save your posts! And learn some more about editing organization.

Xochi Blymyer you are welcome. I'm always looking to improve what I do myself.

Stephen Van Vuuren - Wow that's awesome stuff! It certainly seems like it would be easier to have all the footage so detailed by the end of the project. I assume you would use power bins or something similar so you don't have to create all those folders everytime? And how much time do you usually spend "prepping" footage for editing so to speak, as in editing metadata, organizing, etc. and how does that work improve your workflow?

Bryson Brownell I cut in Resolve and use a template for initial Bin setup but customize for each project type. I do follow the Walter Murphy school of editing. Watch everything at least once, organize, tag. slower up front but better edit overall.

Such great advice - you're an awesome resource, Stephen Van Vuuren! Thank you!

Geoff Hall That's an excellent topic with compelling arguments on all sides. Some editors feel very strongly about reading the script once early, then ignoring 100% of everything that happens in pre and post. That way they edit the film that was shot. Not the film that was written or intended and have no knowledge of how hard it was to get a particular shot. Other editors like to problem solve potential problems on set and see how things unfold. My own take is that there is not a right or wrong here. For me, if the director has editing experience and is paired with a DP who understands editing and especially a strong script supervisor to handle potential editing problems, there are considerable advantages to not being on set and being the set of eyes that only sees the film as it is shot. But there are potential scenarios with a first-time director or lacking the experience on set to avoid potentially expensive or even showstopper problems with shooting/coverage and such that an editor on set could solve. The best summary is perhaps to say it's a very important conversation that should happen early on with director/DP/editor/producer to figure out what will work best for the film.

Stephen Van Vuuren This thread is fascinating to me, as I have spent decades writing and editing print. I'm very pigeon at editing video and can only do it with my Descript app, but that's not what I want to talk about.

Your words "It can be tough when directors and others pressure an editor for a first assembly" hit home. How do you fend off the over-shoulders who want quality, yet keep pushing you to finish? And -- more important -- how do you know when it's done?

Debbie Elicksen Excellent question. It's definitely part of the communication I've learned to do up front before anything starts i.e.. when I'm hired instead of waiting until the pressure hits of the edit. I will do an edit workflow timelines prior to shooting that really helps manage expectations. As for "when it's done", David Fincher's quote is still the gold standard, films are never finished, they are abandoned. The film is not done when it's perfect, it's done when the key players have run out of time, money and/or energy. The challenge is when the final team is not on the same page since there is no magic "it's done" sign that lights up :)

Stephen Van Vuuren Thank you for your answer, Stephen. I will take that advice with me onto the set of my first feature. That is truly priceless. Here’s wishing you well with your endeavours in 2024.

Geoff Hall you are very welcome. Break a leg on your production!