Re: what makes a good editor?

I cut commercials and promos for a living....I have done so for the past 10 years. I understand what you are going through in questionning what makes a good editor, as I have been there. As Charlie, long form is not my thing.

As many have said, what makes a good editor is the ability to help the cut. Offer suggestions of how to get around bad cuts, bad shooting, and things like continuity issues. Also being able to suggest and change things to make the spot work better.

I have worked with directors who use a storyboard religiously, but there is no harm in performing their cut, and then asking them to get a coffee while you duplicate the sequence and try a recut. Most directors i have met appreciate this. I guess in some respects I am very lucky, as I am a staff editor at a broadcaster and most of the directors will give me quite a bit of lattitude....also i have found that the external clients will give me creative freedom when they see what i am capable.

Being able to put the client at ease allows you more freedom. a director can sense when editor knows his craft, and of course the machine he is performing the work on. I have had the odd director who stands by his/her storyboard and does not want change. I do make suggestions, but when I see that he/she is not open, then I concentrate on the trimming and colour correction/treatment.

A lot of times, because my schedule has me starting early, directors leave me e-mails and ask me to get started. I always ask for their concept, how they saw the spot in their mind (treatment, colour etc) and their music. If there are special spots that have to go with a part of the Voice over, then I also need to know about that....usually with this information i can get a good start on the spot without them showing up.

One more thing about being a good editor, in my opinion, is the ability to be able to find the right shot. To be able to find the exact frames that convey the emotion or message, and also the right frames that will transition you into the next shot.

Hope this helps

Mark

Mark Harvey
Senior Editor
Le Réseau des sports