PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut ))

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Kai Cheong on Oct 19, 2009 at 2:06:10 pm I've read a few books on editing... but I don't think I've come across something that fits what you're looking for exactly. Probably because editing, being so diverse and dynamic, is really hard to pin down with hard and fast rules. Doing the same kind of cut in one piece might give a different effect in another piece. Sometimes I wonder why I make certain edit decisions... but find it hard to really explain myself because it all seems so intuitive! [not trying to pimp my company here!]. I kept a short list of what I've read [not updated in a while though] on my blog: http://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com - to summarize: In the Blink of an Eye - by Walter Murch The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema First Cut: Conversations with Film Editors POST: The Theory and Technique of Digital Nonlinear Motion Picture Editing The Technique of Film and Video Editing, Fourth Edition: History, Theory, and Practice 'twas interesting reading about the process of editing which varies from editor to editor, and project to project. Some interesting sharing from editors here about how they work: http://www.mewshop.com/mew_media/vault/ Kai FCP Editor / Producer with Intuitive Films http://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com -- Now 'LIVE'! Check Out The Intuitive Films Blog @ http://intuitive-films.blogspot.com At Intuitive Films, We Create: TV Commercials, Documentaries, Corporate Videos and Feature Films Visit us @ http://www.intuitivefilms.com -- MacBook Pro 2.4GHz | 4GB RAM | FCP 5.1.4 | Mac OS X 10.5.7 8-Core Intel Mac Pro 2.26GHz | 8GB RAM | FCP 6.0.2 | Mac OS X 10.5.6 | 3.0TB CalDigit VR | 2 x 24" Dell S2409W Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Rocco Forte on Oct 19, 2009 at 5:58:48 pm If there were an answer to "where and when" to cut, we'd all be out of a job... But I rather like these two books which illustrate - in there own way - why certain editorial choices are more relevant than others: THE VISUAL STORY - Bruce Block THE LEAN FORWARD MOMENT - Norman Hollyn Best of luck. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Shane Ross on Oct 20, 2009 at 5:38:29 am I second THE LEAN FORWARD MOMENT. That does give you good insight on when and why to cut. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by grinner hester on Oct 19, 2009 at 7:08:00 pm No book can tell you where and when to cut, man. That is subjective opinion based on the elements before you. Nobody needs to read to learn how to edit anymore than having to shoot video to learn how to read a book. Sit down, start cuttin' and be open to hittin' undo. This is how you'll become a good story-teller. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Mike Cohen on Oct 20, 2009 at 3:12:07 pm http://www.amazon.com/When-Shooting-Stops-Cutting-Begins/dp/0306802724 While mostly about film editing, there are some interesting stories about how Woody Allen and other young directors got their start, and in the opinion of the writers, how the editor saved their careers. I agree that there is not a cheat sheet for where to cut, what you can glean from all of these books is the theory of good storytelling, and use this background to develop your own style. Mike Cohen Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Tim Kolb on Oct 20, 2009 at 9:54:23 pm [grinner hester] "No book can tell you where and when to cut, man." That is correct. This is one area where your skill level at editing is different than your software knowledge. You can get trained on software...to gain skill at editing itself, you need to sit in the seat and look a no-way-out continuity crisis in the face enough times to skip over the initial pang of doom and just get back to work... TimK, Director, Consultant Kolb Productions, Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Tim Wilson on Oct 22, 2009 at 9:38:18 pm Asking to talk about editing without mentioning other movies is like trying to talk about music without mentioning any music. It's like trying to talk about language without being able to talk about any specific words. Asking "where and when to cut" is like asking "what and how to cook." Until you can answer the question, what do you want at the end, you can't know if you're getting rib roast or rhubarb pie. Now, having said that, "Good Eats" is a wonderful show about the science of cooking. Once you have that under your belt, a lot of the recipes take care of themselves. For something generally analogous, try taking a look at "Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know," by Jennifer van Sijll. I think this will be perfect for you. She covers each example of absolutely critical, foundational-level visual language in two pages. That's it. Two pages. I think that the most fidgety reader can stand two pages. Lots of pictures too. I'm kind of kidding with you...except for the part about NEEDING to know history. A hyper-spazz skaterb0i video and an uber-elegant drama both have a visual language, with more elements in common than you might think. Gotta learn to talk before you can say anything. Start with Jennifer's book. Tim Tim Wilson Creative Cow Magazine! My Blog: "Is this thing on? Oh it's on!" Don't forget to rate your favorite posts! Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: PLEASE -Suggest Best Editing Book (( No history-just the meat of where and when to cut )) by Scott Sheriff on Oct 30, 2009 at 6:40:40 am "Please, no history, just want the meat of "WHERE AND WHEN" to cut." There is no way anyone can right the definitive book on where and when to edit. Editing is subjective and material dependent. Most books on editing are going to look at what was done in the past and why, which is the history you are not interested in. I believe examining (either by reading or watching) what others have done (history) plus 'seat time' is the road to learning the art. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index