Just finished my movie, now what?

S

Stryfe

Active member
I just finished my first feature film on DVX100B. My DP says I need to hire an editor to edit the movie. But all my director friends say I should just do it myself. I've never edited anything before but I do understand pacing. They said I should just get a guy to show me the ropes and take care of the rest myself.

Also, how do I make back up for my tapes? If an accident happened to the tapes I have now, I'd lose everything.
 
I'm going to take a wild guess and say you don't expect to sell this. If not, get a friend who edits to do it for low cost or free so they can get some practice, or maybe work with them after learning some. If you want to learn you can use this project to do so. It won't turn out well if you do it yourself while having never cut something, certainly not a feature. And your backup can be having captured it to computer.
 
Last edited:
1) I realize it sounds like I don't know what I'm doing, but I do. This is for profit. The only aspect I don't understand is editing. With all the other things I had to learn to make this, I decided I'd cross this bridge when I got to it. Now I'm here.

2) I've had many editors apply for the position. But few have experience with a feature. Would it be just as good to hire someone who just knows how to edit? Then I can guide the pacing since I know the movie and what I want.

3) I could back it up on a computer, but if it's not the computer that I plan on using for the edit will it be a waste? Let's say I save it on a computer, then transfer that footage to another computer, will I not lose information and resolution?
 
As the director of the project you are supposed to work hand and hand with the editor. Well, you don't have to be there the entire editing process, but you are supposed to guide the edit slightly while still allowing creative reign on the editor's part (afterall, YOU are the novice in this area).

Do not attempt to edit yourself if this piece has meaning and you plan on profit eventually. Becoming an efficient and well balanced editor takes years of experimenting with the software.

I wouldn't count out editors if they have never done a feature. Yes, you are there to help with the pacing. Remember, if you don't like something the editor can change it. Ask the editor for a resume' and a demo reel or piece he has edited. If you see something you like, go with that.
 
Transfers lose you nothing. You should have as many copies of the data as you can, and don't rely on the editor to handle it all. If you're handing the tapes off to someone else I can't stress enough that you should have a copy first; either dub it to another set of tapes or capture it to your own computer, just make sure you're not done if something goes wrong on the editor's end.
 
James Thayer said:
Becoming an efficient and well balanced editor takes years of experimenting with the software.
.
Click to expand...

I say go for it!!

Have someone you can call or put on retainer. If you are going to use FCP, all you need is JKL and F9.

I used to get upset with people wanting to do my job.... 30 years as a professional musician, 8 years of college, three degrees... hell, it's the easiest job in the world!!

(Until something goes wrong (but HEY, what are the chances of that??))

Capture the tapes (ALL OF THEM) to an external drive. Copy those to ANOTHER external drive. Put the tapes and the first drive in the bank. The other you can carry around with you and edit from.

Then... HIRE someone to grade and online after you're done editing.

Go for it!!!!

CaptM
 
First thing you need to do is tape all the footage off to a 500GB or 1TB hard drive. More, if you need it.

Then make a copy of everything, and put it on ANOTHER drive, and put that drive in a cool, dry place.

Then hire me to do your edit and I'll teach you whatever you want to know. :D
 
If you have to ask this question, you should be doing it yourself. Everyone who makes their first feature has the big dreams of Hollywood snapping up their movies at Sundance but the reality is that you have about as good odds as winning powerball. You'll learn more about filmmaking and make an even better movie next time.

-Noah
 
Learning to edit:

1) Makes you a better director. You will have a better idea of what you need next time.

2) Has nothing to do with Software. An NLE is a tool. It will not teach you pacing, emotional thread or how to impact an audience. Yes, you need to know how to use a tool effectively, but never confuse knowing an application with skill in what that tool was created for. Knowing how protools works doesn't make me a good musician and knowing photoshop doesn't make me an artist.

3) Is an opportunity to re-write your film, so take it. But BEWARE. Much as many writers who direct cannot divorce themselves from what is on the page to deal with the reality of performance and the set; many directors who edit only bemoan what they wanted to do instead of maximizing what they actually have in the footage. It's a clean slate. Treat it as such.
 
Thanks guys. A tech school has let me use their powerful mac to burn my tapes into my external hard drive with 500GB. After watching all my footage I know I can really edit this thing, it's like you said. A chance to rewrite the whole thing, it's truly awesome.

Few questions though, I don't exactly understand what color correction is besides just adjusting the color's the way you want or how to do it. I heard I need two computers to do it as well.

Is it really complicated to adjust sound or take out noises from background? I won't get a chance to edit the movie until 2 weeks from now.
 
Stryfe said:
I don't exactly understand what color correction is besides just adjusting the color's the way you want or how to do it.
Click to expand...

Life is so much easier now with inexpensive programs like FCStudio, AE, all the rest that you can do it all on one.

There are two steps to color correcting.

1) Making sure skin tones/whites/temp match from shot to shot. This is as simple as just trying to match white balances.

but then...

2) A colorist chooses the LOOK, the grading of the film. Think 3 Kings, TRAFFIC, Saving Private Ryan... all of those looks were created by a colorist 'correcting' the color. You want to learn how to do THAT?

http://www.finalcolor.com/FAQ.htm

Start there. Get some understanding of the process -- then find some magic bullet coloring effect plugins and use those with tweaks. BUT UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS BEFORE EVER (DAMN IT --- EVER) Using a plugin!!!! GAH that ticks me off!!

whew.

Oh...

Here's what you can do with the second computer...

Hook it up to the internet and a printer and hire an assistant editor to print EVERY article on

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp_homepage_index.html

Well written... short... searchable... well worth your time for a first stop before you come here and embarrass yourself (you're getting close).

Good luck,

Mike
 
I'm an anonymous username on the internet. Couldn't get ambaressed if I wanted to.

Got Magic Bullet, aware of redstone, and plenty of people want to work as an editor on the movie. Thanks for all the help.

Ready to make this thing.
 
you can just make a rough edit of your film and the take it in to a professional ... color correction and editing a full length will be a beast ...

Good luck and will you post any screen shots or trailers ??
 
you should wait on posting the whole movie .. if its for profit and you are hoping to sell the movie.. it could hurt your chances by posting it on the internet

i believe if you want your film in Cannes it can not have been shown anywhere
 
That's what I meant. The trailer and stills.

Talked to Dov Simens and he told me to hire an editor for a month. He's the man so I'll take his word and learn the craft while I work with the editor.


chrislancaster said:
you should wait on posting the whole movie .. if its for profit and you are hoping to sell the movie.. it could hurt your chances by posting it on the internet

i believe if you want your film in Cannes it can not have been shown anywhere
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top