The Art of the Cut

S

speedbump

Well-known member
As my experience grows, I can see I'm making better video. But I look back at previous work, and I'm never satisfied with the cuts I'm doing. What was I thinking? :o

Anyway, I look at the material that gets presented on this forum, and much of what I like has a certain 'something' in editing which I can see that I'm not internalizing. So I'd appreciate anyone sharing on their understanding of effective cutting techniques.
 
Re: The Art of the Cut

Interesting anomaly.

I always feel that:

1. The film should be visually planned before actual shooting. I am a huge proponent of Storyboarding and coverage.

2. In post, I feel that once you get your point across whether it be in a shot, scene or story itself then its time to move forward visually.

3. Careful planning of shots in pre-production. I think its imperative that one get the rigth shots and that the shots must be visually interesting. As if within each shot you could pull a frame a mount it on the wall as art. (Like a scene of a woman reading a book alone in the home; shoot a shot from a ladder looking down)
 
Re: The Art of the Cut

I think there are definately times when Johns way is the best way. But in counterpoint...I am more of an improviser. Not totaly, but way more so than mentioned above. What we are dealing with here is art, and art can be approached in many different ways. Editing should be a highly personal thing and should be done to keep the flow the artist feels is right for the work, even if that means that Harvey Weinstien isn't going to be in a bidding war over your piece.
If you are working on something that really says something from deep within your own soul and mind, don't worry too much if it doesn't look and feel like what everyone else is doing. A lot of people are trying their best to look like Hollywood with the great hope to be part of that game. This in turn leads to a lot of hollow and boring work. One of the BIGGEST beauties of digital technology(DV, cheap computer editing...whathaveyou) is the ability to make your art DESPITE the big money people not being willing to back your stuff. It is ALMOST a defeat in purpose only try to mimic their ways. Though I will not say there isn't a place for that too, but it should be only when the work REALLY calls for it. Ask yourself WHY are you really wanting to do this in the first place, and then ask yourself if there might be a better reason to do so.
That being said...the more time you spend in your editing system trying out different combinations and techniques and transitions, the more you will get a feel for what you can and should do, but please don't bog yourself down TOO bad with trying to mimic others. Free yourself and your true inner art. EVERYBODY has got great stories to tell, and there are plenty enough of the Hollywood variety already. If you are just trying to make something thats slick and hoping for the buck, I'm afraid it will show, and though you may get a few people to say "Wow, that's great!" it will still only be bunk in the end. Of course, I know for a fact that most people will say my stuff is bunk, but I'm comfortable with that! That's no excuse to modify what I know I really feel I should do.
Just let The Force flow from within....take deep breaths and love what you are working on. If you cannot get it to feel right, try different material altogether. If you REALLY have the right material, your cuts will come together as you continue to chip away at your footage. Or, you may decide that there should be NO cuts whatsoever!
But again, there is a time and place for most anything including Hollywood editing and stories. I've NEVER seen a movie I didn't like on some level.
As your movie rolls on your NLE timeline, constantly be asking yourself..."is this VERY SECOND of footage pertinant or enhansive to my story? If not, chop it the moment it drifts. Or not! Who says it's ALL got to be pertinant! It's your movie, and even if NOBODY else like it...I will.
 
Re: The Art of the Cut

Well put Daniel.

Try as we might to plan plan and plan; there must always be room left for improvisation and inspiration!
 
Re: The Art of the Cut

..i pretty much do the same as john. anytime you hang on a shot longer than it takes to get the point accross it leaves the audience sitting there going.. "ok.. so whats important now in the scene?.. why are we still looking at this?" ..same gos for shots of things that dont have anything to do with whats going on at the time. ambient shots are nice as establishing shots, or to show someones surroundings as they look around, but otherwise they are just artistic, and can be very boring, but can also be pretty cool as well. all depending on how you present it. but under editing basically it drags the films down. i storyboard pretty much everything becuase it speeds up production, and it also helps you clearly and concisely put things together in post. of course i improvise some too. all in all yes it is a sort of art form, and requires skill and practise to tell a story well. and editing is another part of how you tell a story.. just imagine if you were reading a book, and there were 3 pages of description on a clothspin that the protagonist has in his hand before the story starts..and the book went on through 85 volumes in the like. it would still be the same story, but its certainley not good story telling.
 
Re: The Art of the Cut

You HAVE to read Walter Murch's book 'In the Blink Of an Eye'. It helped me a ton. Not that I'm a pro, but at least now I can get a feel for what I'm doing. I can connect with the story, the people and the emotions on screen and help support the story on its own journey. Really a great book. And not too long either. He's very good at communicating the subjects in discussion.

Here's the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-1350058-1304705?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

HTH.
Chico
 
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