Editing is one of the most important parts of the filmmaking process. One could have an amazing script, great actors, a wonderful shoot. Then a terrible edit and postproduction. The net result is a terrible film.
It is so important to get this part right. I believe the most challenging area in filmmaking is not the shoot. It is Postproduction and it is this area that the emerging filmmaker falls down on time and time again.
So how do you get great Postproduction?
- Hire an amazing editor and work closely with them. This is how everyone works at the top end of the film world. The Film Director works in with an incredible editor and directs the cut that he or she wants. Needless to say, you will need to check their previous work and also get references from three sources. You will need to work off intuition and feel that you are going to have an easy time working with this person. Working with an experienced editor is great if you have a budget that pays for an experienced editor. They do not come cheap and you will have to pay thousands for short film and tens of thousands for a feature film. This is not so good if you are an indie filmmaker working on a microbudget.
- Find an up and coming editor
This can work but generally the editor will listen less to you and will be more concerned about cutting the film the way they want to. This will be because they may be working for chump change or for free. There is a danger they will quit half way through and also the danger that the edit could be a disaster or nothing like what you want. Once again, check out the editor’s work and feel if you are going to work well with them. - Learn to Edit yourself.
This is the best option if you are an emerging or indie Filmmaker. Once you get the editing software, there is very little cost involved. You can spend a long time editing it to get the perfect cut that you want. You can work at any hours, the middle of the night, at lunchbreak and when you start to edit your own films, the hours go so fast.
I would advise you to go down this track. Make sure you learn how to edit professionally on a very good online course.
Editing is a wonderful part of the filmmaking process and once you get good at it, you will be able to make your own movies or travel videos for next to no money.
