Post-Production : More than just an Editor by Julie Meitz

How about "post-production". Kind of covers all the bases without having to stick your name all over the film. My last project was as colorist, sound mixer, sound designer, ADR recordist and dialog editor, VFX, and (the only role I thought I signed up for) editor. Add to that DVD programmer, subtitlist (it was mostly in French) and music coordinator. I may end up being a distributor as well, if only in the realm of on-line releasing.

A Producer I collaborated with for years on corporate, bio and promo videos started crediting me as a Producer as well once my editing expanded to shaping the look and feel of a project with music and graphics. A majority of these videos related to engineering and the visual scripts were vague or blank. So by creating "watchable" content from nothing, I find the tile of Producer/Editor fitting for my contribution to a work.

Sten - Yeah, "Post-Prodcution", why not ?! Kinda like all your fruits in one basket ;-) Actually your last job sounds a bit like my current job ;-) Thanx ! Steve - Very interesting what you say, and I'm experiencing some similar things...I was thinking, though, wouldn't "Director" be more suitable since you're actually shaping vague or blank scripts ? While writing this response I thought to "Co-Director" and I don't know why I didn't think to it before, maybe because "Director" is the main definition out there and it's not often you hear of "Co-Director"...then I found this interesting article on awarding both Director & Co-Director : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-silverstein/what-the-hell-is-a-co-... Thanx !

That was an interesting article Julie. I avoided the title "Director" in my response assuming if a project has a director, they may not be so willing to share that title. But being reminded of the Coen brothers from the article, I guess it really depends who you're working with. If there's total collaboration and no egos, then there's more of a willingness to share credit where credit is due. Isn't the whole point to celebrate everyone so they can all continue to create? The question about Katia Lund's career if she was only recognized with Fernando Meirelles is so true and sad. So "Co-Director" is great if your crew is truly collaborative, and if you want to describe what you do to someone, I think Sten's answer as a specialist in "Post-Production" does cover everything and leaves room to explain in detail all the things you do.

Julie – I can only say what I see/believe as a writer/producer and sometimes reluctant director. As a writer, I work pretty much alone. When I’m forced to direct, I work with the entire cast & crew. As the producer, I work with the entire cast & crew along with investors, distributors, marketing and anyone else that comes along. Every single person involved in the filmmaking process is the critical, most important member and that certainly includes the Editor. Just finding an Editor that can do the basic cut and paste is nearly impossible for a small time operator such as myself. Finding an Editor that is willing to involve him/herself in the creative process would be a glorious find indeed. Titles matter not to me but how ‘bout Executive Editor, Editing Director or Editor Guru? Just my POV.

I can't believe I just deleted my own comment because it was showing up here twice (Stage32 error?)...if any of you can forward me my post that you received in your emails, that would be very nice...thanx Steve & Doug, thanx and I'll respond later if my comment is not sent to me...sheez...

Ok, thanx to Steve & Sten for sending me my deleted post ;-) ...btw, no replies necessary unless one wants too ;-) Also, I find myself ramblin' as usual... Steve - Yes, I understand what you say about sharing "Director" title, but if indeed you did contribute to the creative process by shaping vague or blank scripts, to me that is part directing too because in the end you contributed to the birth of the film. Everyone has ideas, and it appears that one can be more easily identified as a true "Auteur" writing a book, but with filmmaking, the lines blur with a crew...however, nowadays with technology, it appears that sometimes one person can equate to a whole "crew" (and I guess I say this in respect to my own films/videos, the majority of them being 'one woman productions'). Thanks again for your reply, I especially like your comment about "...celebrate everyone so they can continue to create...", it would be nice if the creative community was like this, but for some reason I think to the beginning scene of "Space Odyssey 2001" with the apes and their enlightenment... (sorry, I don't mean to sound so pessimistic, I'll stop). Doug - Thank you for POV and title suggestions, I especially liked "Editor Guru", cute :-) I'm surprised, though, to hear that you have a hard time finding an Editor to do the basic stuff because I would assume with technology & the Internet there are more DIY / self-trained people out there...and titles really don't matter to you, eh ? interesting...

Julie – there are plenty of kids with lap-tops with Final Cut software all over the place but I haven’t found a single one who knows how to edit. A lot of ‘em tell me they know how to edit – but they don’t. An no, I really don’t care about titles; you can be the Editor Queen if you can do the job.

Doug - Actually I do understand what you say, really...I started with film cameras before video cameras were available on the consumer market, so it was not just plug 'n play, but more trial and error. I was also involved in the computer field before the internet was available for the public. So, yes, just having the technology (and/or equipment) does not mean one automatically has the skills. In another sense (the positive sense), technology (Internet) has broadened the resources and network capability for those who are self-trained/DIY people to share and be known...hopefully through the intricate networks of "too many monkeys with a typewriter", you will find that person one day ;-) ...I'm not sure if that was totally clear, but anyway..."Editor Queen", cute ! And yes, titles are not everything, it's more about "giving credit where credit is due", but then again, as Kirby says in his "Embrace the Remix" video, "nothing is original" (http://vimeo.com/47322970)...boy, I sure do go off on tangents a lot, silly moi ;-) No need to reply, best of luck in your production co.

I came into the film business in the early 80's after I left the military and I didn't even start with film, I edited for radio. I love telling young editors how the symbols on the editing software came about today. I'd say "you know why there is a razor blade there?" Because before computers or software, we used what looked like a reel to reel and what you call the head was the magnets that the tape slide past. That's where the term scrubbing the heads came from, when you edited, you slide the tape past the heads and listened to the audio, when you found the spot to cut you marked it with a grease pencil and cut it diagonally with the razor blade. By the time I got into film the writing was already on the wall, video was still inferior, but was gaining popularity so after a few years I switched to the new 3/4 inch format, did that for around 10 years and then came computers and Avid, then FCP and Adobe. I learned everything and am very good at editing. But now companies want one stop shopping, they want a filmmaker that can produce, direct & if possible shoot and then post his butt off. I can do it all but Doug I agree, the new editors today rarely understand the concept of editing other than the assembly part. Even after college it takes time to develop a feel for the edits, a rhythm and pace that moves the viewer forward in a conscience and unconscious way. More often now I'm hired to shoot and edit, now I'm into motion graphics, motion capture and EFX & SFX editing. So to answer your question, those that have the skills to multiplatform, I call them lucky, because they will be the most sort after in the near future.

Hi Ric, Interesting history there, thanx :-) My dad bought one of the 1st reel-to-reel consumer tape recorders before I was born and so I'm familiar with what you said. I also played with 1/2 inch JVC decks and then Avid when it was 1st installed at Detroit Univ. back in the days. At the same time at home I only had VCRs to edit on, along with a slew of film equipment from Super 8mm to 16mm mixed with old commodore and apple computer monitors ;-) I started with Adobe Premiere from the first days it was released and not stable, but fell in love with it and remained faithful to it ever since (and even tired Final Cut Pro when it 1st came out and was available for the PC ! ;-) And to this day I continue to try and keep up with technology (I'm always interested in learning more), so I believe I can understand all that you say, however, one could say the exact same sentiment towards young editors of the past from generations before them...not sure that was clear... Yes, editing takes time and experience as it does with any skill, but overall, with more networks and accessibility, finding the right people and resources are an internet connection away, we may just have to process more info than before, but at least it's accessible to everyone...I'll stop cause I gotta go and writing too much as usual... Thank you for your feedback and, so would you give the title "Multi-platform" then (to my original post question) ?

Yes, how about Multi-platformer? :)

Ric & Julie - sounds like you have some experience. My editing goes back to 16mm on a KEM table, Oh how I miss the Acetone fumes not.

There is no single term... I'm an Picture Editor ( member of MPE ), a sound designer ( CAS ), a re-recording engineer (MPSE ), I do CGI / VFX / 3D modeling , some basic color correction.... I tell people I do post for films... simpler...

That's funny Doug.

Ric - Thanx :-) I have to say, though, this title you suggest makes me think to the computer field (versatile on various operating systems like PC, Mac, Linux...) more than having various film skills. Doug - Sounds like you have some experience too :-) I would have loved to work on one those machines - my 16mm editing was more basic with guillotine splicer and Kodak tape : http://julie.meitz.free.fr/fj/index.html and http://julie.meitz.free.fr/my_exhibits/other/images/mixed_media/original... Georgia - Thanx for your response. Cool that you embrace it all :-) Yes, there is no single term, but maybe it's time to update or change old terms to reflect the changing times ?