252 The Cutting Edge: Advanced Editing Techniques
Editing Tips
It’s not necessary for you to become a master editor in order to cut together
some fun and satisfying videos, but there are a few tips that carry a lot of bang
for the buck. Familiarizing yourself with this short list of handy editing guide-
lines can noticeably elevate the quality of your projects almost instantly.
Why Cut at All?
Probably the most fundamental question facing every editor is how to decide
when and where to make edits. This is such a basic question that it’s easily
overlooked. But trust me, professional editors can spend hours agonizing over
every single cut.
The easy answer is that each shot should convey a single, unambiguous piece
of information: a wide vista showing the lake where you’re going fishing; a
medium shot of your uncle starting the motorboat engine; a close-up on the
jar full of wriggling bait, and so on. Each shot must provide one clear piece
of information that is a part of your story. If you can’t easily say aloud what
the subject of the shot is, don’t use it. If you have a single shot that is trying to
show too much, cut it into pieces or find a different piece of footage to use.
By collecting a series of shots that each have a clear point of focus, you’ll make
it possible for your viewers to understand exactly what’s going on without get-
ting bored or distracted.
Avoid Redundancy
Another great benefit of choosing shots that have a clear subject is that you
can more easily recognize when the same information is overused. If, when
cutting that fishing trip, you have three shots that all show your mother
expertly baiting a hook, you’ll probably realize that you need only to include
one of them.
The most common error made by editors is to make their movies too long.
You want to include all the highlights, all the beauty shots, all the funny
moments. You want to convey the experience of what happened, and you think
every detail is critical. Unfortunately, when you put all that together, your
movie begins to feel too long and repetitive. Rather than strive to include every-
thing, try instead to find one perfect example of each aspect.
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