The work of an editor goes through many steps from the beginning of studying the script to the final output of the film, and different editors have different editing habits. For example, in the use of editing software, some editors will keep up with the development of the times and keep trying new products, while some masters will insist on using the original software because of their own operating habits. Similarly, different editors will have their own different habits when watching materials and editing films, which can help them improve work efficiency and better complete editing work.
Today, we share some of the habits of master editors to see how they work!
Walter Murch's editing habits
Walter Murch is a famous editing master, who has edited excellent films such as "The Godfather", "English Patient" and "Cold Mountain". In his editing work, Murch would print shots from the various cameras he was working on and hang them on the wall, a way to get a bird's-eye view of the entire scene at a glance, preventing certain moments from being overlooked or forgotten.
He also makes cards of different sizes and colors according to the content of the scene, and adjusts the orientation and angle of the cards, which help him immerse himself in the movie.
He also turns off the soundtrack and watches his edited movies in a silent environment.
Silent viewing cuts means that each cut you make is first determined by the picture individually, not by the soundtrack. The advantage of this is that you are not overly influenced by the sound elements when you make editing decisions.
Richard Harris' editing habits
Richard Harris is the editor of Titanic. His editing habit is to cut a scene from the end to the front.
In cutting a scene, he first finds the last shot of the scene and asks himself: "How can I get to this A shot?" What if I use a B lens? What if it's a C lens, wait. "Through reverse reasoning and screening, the optimal effect is achieved.
Kelly Dixon's editing habits
Dixon is an assistant editor for "Overboard Dogs", "Mind Catcher" and "Secret Agent Crew", and the editor of the TV series "Breaking Bad". Her habit of viewing footage is to use a multi-camera viewing mode.
"I look around, and when I start editing, I don't have to remember when the cameraman moves the lens, but I just remember each shot."
When she watches absorbing material, most of the time she looks at the material while remembering that it is a push and pull shot, what kind of shot it was taken, etc., and thinking about how to edit the material into a scene.
In addition, she is used to editing one scene a day, rather than procrastinating to cut several scenes at once in a day. Doing so can develop the habit of watching dailies every day, exercise absorption, and begin to understand what individuals are looking for, why they are looking, and how you will approach the scene.
Done Allen's editing habits
When she cuts scene dialogue, it is like listening to a radio show, without reference images. When she hears the sound she wants, she gives it to her assistant, Rich Marks, and asks him to match it with some pictures. Then leave it to yourself for the next step of editing.
Tom Cross's editing habits
Tom Cross is the editor of "Burst Drummer", "La La Land", "King of the Circus" and "First Man on the Moon". He values material very much, and believes that every material is critical, even the smallest moment, a smile, a look or a beautiful mirror. When the material arrives, he does not rush to edit, but selects and numbers the material first. After the film, look back at these materials, and you will find a lot of content that you couldn't find before.
The initial material is an endless treasure, if you edit the troubled material, you may wish to look at the footage of each scene a few more times, and you will find something you didn't notice before to solve your current problem.
Brandon Li's editing habits
Brandon Li has published many works on YouTube, with a high number of clicks, and is a YouTuber god. After editing a work, he takes a break.
After cutting your own film, you must take a complete rest, give yourself a time buffer, and then look back at the film you cut. This way you will be more objective and will find something more different. This is especially important!