Ever had to chop your film down in Length?

capitalP

capitalP

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I have a good problem right now. I'm editing a feature film. Right now it's clocking in at 1:55hr. And I'd say I have over 20 more minutes left to edit.

I definitely don't wanna have a 2hr plus movie, especially the fact that it's an action movie. So I know eventually I'm gonna have to chop it down. I want it to be a real tight, I'm thinking 1:45.

So I know I'm going to have to sacrifice some scenes I love in order to tighten it up a bit, any suggestions on what to look for when chopping it down.

My first guest would be, any scene that doesn't move the story forward regardless how pretty the scene is should be chopped out?

Have any of you guys ever had to chop down a feature film, how painful was it, I guest I can keep it 2hrs, but I know having it at 1:45hr will ultimately make the film better.

thoughts,
 
Have you watched what you have with anyone that is not familiar with the film already?
I know that whenever I have a hard time tightening up something, there is nothing better than watching it with a few people - it becomes painfully obvious when sitting with a group of people when something is dragging and when its moving well.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Have you watched what you have with anyone that is not familiar with the film already?
I know that whenever I have a hard time tightening up something, there is nothing better than watching it with a few people - it becomes painfully obvious when sitting with a group of people when something is dragging and when its moving well.
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I've never had to edit a feature but this was my first gut reaction as well. Watch it with a few people who are NOT familiar with your film.

You'll know when things are dragging.

Mike
 
I should add that I find it important to watch things with other people for the opposite reason as well - sometimes when you're working on a project for so long, and you become so familiar with it, the urge to 'tighten' will go too far and you may have a tendency to cut down sequences too much (at least I know that's the case with me).

There is nothing like watching with an audience to get a good sense of pacing - both for what needs to be cut, and what needs to be left to play out.
 
That's a great plan guys. I originally planned on doing a test screening, but that's gonna cost too much, so I might just have a showing with some friends, then I'll see if things drag. Thanks for the tip.

And Luis, I'm also worried about over tighten stuff, so I have to look out for that.
 
cutting entire scenes may not be necessary (unless you really do find some that are redundant) - the most common fault I find with films is individual scenes dragging. Sure, chopping ten seconds here and five seconds there is slow work in terms of reducing your overall length, but you end up with a tighter and better film.

in particular watch out for slow beginnings - give us the characters and the situation and start the action - no five minute shots of them eating breakfast, please :) So long as the audience can work ou what's happening, throw them into the story.

do be prepared to 'kill some babies' - if the scene doesn't reveal character or advance the story, why is it there? Great acting or beautiful cinematography _alone_ are not good reasons to leave a scene in.
 
I agree Clang, it's gonna be tough chopping it down. I have to watch for the beggining like u said, I haven't watch the whole movie in full yet, but I'm pretty sure I have some scenes in the beginning that drag, I have to keeep remindng myself, If it doesn't move the story forward it don't belong there, thanks for the advice.
 
My first question is whether or not you shot it. If you did, I would encourage you to find an editor. It's really hard to be objective about losing a shot it took you all day to get.

Either way, you are learning one of the most important concepts of editing. That being to FIND THE STORY. That's what the best editors do, and finding that story has nothing to do with the script. You find it from what is actually there, not what you wish or think is there.

My only other advice (aside from what has been shared) is to give yourself time if you have it. Leave it for a few days after you watched it all the way through once or twice. You can be more objective that way. And you really need to watch THE WHOLE movie, not just scenes. That's what the audience will see.
 
"My first question is whether or not you shot it. If you did, I would encourage you to find an editor. It's really hard to be objective about losing a shot it took you all day to get."

Speaking from experience it is really hard cutting your favorite shots out, even when they aren't needed. Took me about 10 different people saying the exact same thing before I even believed it.
 
yeah, you really have to be brutal with yourself if you photographed and/or directed the film. my first feature was 121 minutes after the first cut, 108 after the 12th cut, and then a year later, i cut 15 more minutes out to get it to 93. those last 15 minutes were very difficult to remove, but by shaving the beginning and end of many scenes (trimming the fat, as it were), the film became SO much better.

remember, when you can, it is best to enter the scene late and leave it early. trimming unnecessary fat from your scenes will allow you more latitude to keep those beautiful shots that help create your tone and atmosphere effectively. ggod luck!
 
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