FS7: Two kinds of editors (creatives and technicians) or not?

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Publimix

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I know two kinds of editors, the creative with a mac and an art education and the technical skilled one that can convert, transcode, correct colour etc.

The first one makes nice edits but any technical problem will stop the process.

The second one is a wizzard with files, has a fast Hackingtosh or a Windows machine, and codecs but lacks that magical touch to bring the footage to live.

Do you have the same experience?

Or are there lots of them that has both skills, and I only have to find them?
 
I like to think there can be both; or at the very least have enough of the "technical" side to overcome the majority of the issues that may arise.
 
I absolutely think/believe/know that the mind is capable of both. I think we are all capable of this...and more. Mastery.
 
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With the media world being so technical nowdays, I don't know if you can have just a creative cutter person anymore. I, along with so many here wear a lot of hats and am working on all sides, all of the time. But I know I will never be great at just one side. (I admit I build my own PCs...)
 
Publimix said:
I know two kinds of editors, the creative with a mac and an art education and the technical skilled one that can convert, transcode, correct colour etc.
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This simplifies editors (and all people) to the point of meaninglessness. Certainly, it's not the case that editors fall neatly into one of those two camps. I may be overreacting, but it's this kind of illogical, polarizing, simplification of how the real world works that causes so much anger and unnecessary discussion (take a look at politics right now).
If you are looking for an editor who is both creative and technical, don't begin with a theory that there's only one or the other.
If you want to find an editor that embodies both, chances are they are EMPLOYED, because they are good at what they do.
 
Publimix said:
I know two kinds of editors, the creative with a mac and an art education and the technical skilled one that can convert, transcode, correct colour etc.

The first one makes nice edits but any technical problem will stop the process.

The second one is a wizzard with files, has a fast Hackingtosh or a Windows machine, and codecs but lacks that magical touch to bring the footage to live.

Do you have the same experience?

Or are there lots of them that has both skills, and I only have to find them?
Click to expand...

I know a guy who is really creative, this year he is finally going to get bigger (jump from advertising to film/tv side, with a possible deal of making his own TV show that he been developing for years) and he only uses PC

My other friend who uses mac, he is more on technical side but not much on creativity.

Out of many editors I only met 1 person that is on a custom built hacktosh with LEDs and leon lights and water cooling.
 
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I don't really see how you even COULD only be one or the other and still be employable. . .tech only sounds more like an ASSISTANT editor, creative without technical skill doesn't seem like you'd be able to get through a single project.
 
It was part of the educational system in the Netherlands, students had to choose very soon for alfa or beta (technic) education. I think modern creative industry asks for both. The newer schools for art do both now.
 
Publimix said:
The second one is a wizzard with files, has a fast Hackingtosh or a Windows machine, and codecs but lacks that magical touch to bring the footage to live.
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This person is not an editor and doesn't sound like they'll be one as long as they've got a hole in their arse. This is the archetypal knob twiddler who probably has more software applications than they know what to do with, who thinks editing is know which buttons to press but who will find out the hard way that no amount of technical skill can trump creativity. The fundamental skill of editing is the montage and bringing footage to life all supporting technical skills can be learnt.

In my experience most filmmakers (artists) begin with the creative desire to tell a story and learn the technical skills required to bring their vision to fruition not vice versa.
 
I started editing at home because I wanted to put clips together and create something new. Later when I began to work as a video editor some 20+ years ago I had to learn the technical stuff first and then came the creative part. But each and everyone is limited by their ideas and so will the outcome be more or less creative or artistic if you like.

I myself don't consider me as an artistic editor, I'm just a pro doing my best to make something nice out of what I got.
 
Naw, of course it's:

  • Professional editor, polished work, gleaming Mac, good art education, wears a hoodie at home, hipster clothes when out, nice to other people, fixes any problem that might arise. Delivers great results to clients.
  • Home schooled hack, uses hack computer with hack techniques. Also wears hoodie. A cheap one. Drinks beverages with actual sugar in them. Spends time tweaking, not actually working. Delivers questionable results to questionable clients (who also are hacks: want pro stuff for amateur money—or "exposure").


OP: Are you serious with those stereo types?!?
 
AndreeOnline said:
Naw, of course it's:
  • Professional editor, polished work, gleaming Mac, good art education, wears a hoodie at home, hipster clothes when out, nice to other people, fixes any problem that might arise. Delivers great results to clients.
  • Home schooled hack, uses hack computer with hack techniques. Also wears hoodie. A cheap one. Drinks beverages with actual sugar in them. Spends time tweaking, not actually working. Delivers questionable results to questionable clients (who also are hacks: want pro stuff for amateur money—or "exposure").

OP: Are you serious with those stereo types?!?
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The stereotypes were so ridiculous they didn't need mentioning.

But I think you forgot to mention the sleeve tattoo the professional creative is supposed to have these days. The home-brew hack just has Love/Hate tattooed on his knuckles given to him by his mate at school with a rusty compass and indian ink.
 
The Technical side is something that needs knowing. The 'creative' one with the mac isn't an editor at ALL if a technical problem comes up and he/she can't deal with it.

To separate the technical from the creative is (IMO) one of the gravest mistakes anyone can make when thinking of a craft.

You don't have writers who are really good with pens and words, and others who can bring narrative to life despite lacking literacy.

All the technical side is the literacy of the craft. This should be a given. All editors need technique. You can't split them up. Of course there are both. Every editor is both of those. It's inevitable however that very soon the technical side should be a given.

Look for a person who writes like they talk, you'll be onto something. And yes, they have to be technically adept in order to call themselves editors.
 
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