About Movie Editors
After a movie has been written and all of the shots recorded, it is time for the movie editor to step in and package everything together. A movie editor and her crew set the pace, emotion and overall feel of a film, which can ultimately decide the film's success or failure.
Other People Are Reading
-
Consultation
-
The movie editor is part of a filmmaking team; her job is to communicate and work with the crew that is making the movie. The director of a film will join with the editor to help put together the scenes and create the final movie. Movies can employ multiple editors and other crew, like writers and producers, to edit as well. The editing process is long, and every single scene is looked at and analyzed during this time.
Pace
-
An editor helps set the pace of a movie. Quick shots, long shots, use of black screen and other elements must all come together to set the pace of a film. For example, an editor on an action film may use a lot of quick shots to convey the excitement and speed of a scene. A drama may use slow scenes that help set emotion and a horror movie could start off with a slow-building pace that results in several fast shots. Every second counts in a film, and an editor may watch scenes over and over again until it feels just right.
-
Transitions
-
Going from scene to scene and shot to shot requires transitions. It is up to the editor to decide the best transition method for each shot. Typical transitions include quick cuts, fades and the special-effects transition. The quick cut goes instantly from scene to scene. These can be seen a lot in action movies when the pace is fast or during live edits at sporting events where a quick cut to a different angle keeps the viewer interested.
Fades are used for dramatic effect. For example, a slow fade to black is typically used during a dramatic ending, and a slow fade can also be used to signify the transition of night to day.
Special-effects transitions are transitions that are constantly being changed and updated with each new generation of filmmakers and editors. One effective transition is showing something from one scene and transitioning to something similar to the next to guide the viewer along and offer an appealing visual. Other special-effects transitions might actually manipulate the scene by setting it on fire, peeling it away or having it shatter. The former TV show "Home Improvement" often used these special-effects transitions.
Effects
-
Special movie editors may just work on the special effects of a movie. This can include anything from titles, scenery or computer-generated (CG) work. In today's CG-filled movie world, the CG editors and creators are essential to the moviemaking process. They must work with the directors and supervisors to time every special-effects shot so that it fits perfectly in the scene.
For movies created with full CG, there are many editors responsible for timing the movements, characters, backgrounds and any other elements that may become part of the scene.
Audio
-
Another huge part of editing is the audio. Editors must time together music, dialogue and sound effects to put a scene together. Any given scene could have 10 layers of audio attached to it. For example, if two characters are talking at a diner on a busy street, then they need to add audio not only for the two characters, but for traffic, pedestrians, waiters, other diner customers, music and natural effects like birds. Scenes can get complicated, and it is up to the editor and filmmaking team to keep everything organized and in tact.
-
