Currently working on Shelter: a look at Manchester’s homeless, the trailer is here https://vimeo.com/36844543

I’ve been a professional editor now for 5 years. Starting off in Sport, moving into corporate work and now working on my own personal documentary projects. I was trained on Final Cut at University and I have been using Final Cut X since it came out. Although I use AVID MC daily with my full time job, my software of choice is now Final Cut X along with After Effects.

What personality traits or characteristics do you think it takes to be a successful editor?

I think the obvious characteristic one needs to be a successful editor is patience. Beside waiting for render times and the obvious amendments from the client, you need to be patient in your own ability as an editor because every little detail matters, all down to a single frame.
You need a keen eye for detail, spotting the little details that most people overlook, makes all the difference.

In your mind what is the biggest mistake most editors make?

In my mind the biggest mistakes that editors make come down to trying to make all the decisions by themselves. And believing they are all the correct decisions too. What you think is a good decision/edit, might not be the best one for the client, so working closely with and having a good relationship with the producer/director/client is very crucial.
The client is always right is hard thing to swallow when you first start out, even though they may not be, they are the ones who are paying your bills and putting food on your table.

What’s your biggest pet peeve when editing?

Bad camera work. Shaky camera footage is my nemesis. Editors have a knack for making anything look great, but if you get bad footage from someone who doesn’t know 100% what they are doing with a camera, you’re screwed. But on the other hand, this is where you can really show your worth and turn something bad into something else. Swings and roundabouts.

What do you most enjoy about editing?

My favourite part of the editing process is when your vision of the edit starts to come into it’s own. When you can really see things coming together and the footage and edit looks good, it makes the hairs on my arms stick up, you can’t beat that feeling knowing you have created this. The output is what you are working toward but enjoying the ride to it is what it’s all about.

Any advice for someone just getting started in editing?

Just edit. Seriously it’s the best way to get better. Even if it’s bad you can learn something from it.

What is the biggest challenge you face as an editor?

Time. You are alway’s working against time. Get used to the late nights because you will be in each others company for as long as you edit.

There is also so much competition out there for every job now, you have to really stand out from the crowd when looking for work. Expecting to walk into a full time editing job straight out of education just isn’t going to happen anymore. So with this knowledge you also have to stay ahead of the game with technology. Dismissing new editing software and sticking to the only one you know makes you a one trick pony. I started using FCX almost immediately, not because I thought it was amazing but because in a few years when more doors have been opened with the software, this is the direction we will be heading, and not getting a job because somebody younger, faster and cheaper can use software you can’t just isn’t an option.

If you had to compare editing to something else what would it be and why?

Having to chew through aluminium foil to get to the T-bone steak inside.

Most annoying editing trend since barn door wipes?

Computer gameplay montages on YouTube. Go away.

Your thoughts on dissolves? Is it just a crutch? Does it ever actually serve a purpose?

At the end of some of my edits I like to throw in a few dissolves here and there, watch it through then get rid of them telling myself at least I gave them a shot.
They have their purpose, but I don’t use them much.

At the end of the day we all have bills to pay. If you are in a unique situation and you don’t you are one of the lucky few. The challenge is how to feed ourselves creatively and financially. Workshops have made me a LOT of money. I’m not referring to organizing workshops. I’m referring to the sheer amount of work I have gotten due to connections and networking that I have done at workshops.

If I had to roughly estimate the amount of money I have spent to attend workshops since 2009 I would safely say it is well above $10,000 with travel and expenses. The amount of income I have generated is probably at least 5 times that. The bottom line is the biggest difference between successful people and those who never make it is simply showing up. Not the ONLY the BIGGEST. No one is going to come knock on your door. This isn’t Three’s Company. You have to get off of your ass, get out, and mix it up. Rub elbows. Hand out cards. Which leads me to the second point.

2) NETWORKING

The most effective social network, contrary to popular belief, isn’t Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. It’s a great starting point, but it’s still this old fashioned notion of actually meeting people face to face. Those other three are certainly tools whose value cannot be dismissed. Nothing will ever beat real human interaction though. People often talk about being “at the right place at the right time”. I will tell you this with a fair amount of certainty. The right time is “now”. It always is. The right place is not “sitting on your ass alone at your house”. Anything worth doing requires effort. Also it is personally always inspiring for me to be in a room with like minded people. Creativity is contagious. Surround yourself with talented people and it’s hard not to be motivated to better yourself.

3) EDUCATION IS A LIFELONG PROCESS

There is a LOT of information out on the “interwebs”. So, why pay to go to a workshop when you can just read blogs or watch a Youtube video? Good question, Young Jedi. You are on the right path already. Question everything. Life is full of people who are full of bullshit and I’m not in the business of being one of them. Love me or hate me but I don’t pull punches. That may be fine for you. What this method lacks is the instant ability to get clarification, feedback, and to have other questions answered that may be off-topic. A video is a process of consumption and digestion. A workshop is interactive. The workshop should produce a discussion. Someone else may have faced the exact same problem you are having and have the perfect solution. To me watching a Youtube video to learn versus going to an event is very similar to people who bitch and moan on Twitter but never produce anything on their own. You can talk about it or you can BE about it.

4) INSPIRATION

Maybe you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning and are inspired. I’m not Stuart Smalley. I get inspired by being around real people. Everyone looks at things differently and that intrigues me. I think this quote sums it up perfectly. “A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

5) COMMUNITY

No I’m not referring to the TV show on NBC. I’m referring to what I believe is our best resource. Each other. When done properly a workshop should be an experience that doesn’t end at the conclusion of the event. You stay in contact afterwards via Twitter, Facebook etc. See I told you they were useful tools. You have now been added to a growing community of like minded creatives that help one another out as we try to better ourselves and master our craft. Life is about surrounding yourself with truly great people. People who get you. People that accept you for who you are and share common interests and goals.

I hope that this inspires at least one person to get off of their ass and get out there. The time is “now”. The place is not “sitting on your ass alone at home”.

There are lots of workshops out there so ask around and keep your eyes peeled.


If you are in the NYC area on Sunday May 6th, 2012 we would love to see you at Masters in Motion: NYC. You know, like, “in-person”. If not and you are reading this, I sincerely hope we are fortunate enough to cross paths. In the meantime, even if it’s just to go take a walk somewhere seriously get out and take a look around there’s a whole world out there.



Masters in Motion:NYC

http://GameChangerstheMovie.com

I’ve been an editor for over a decade. I primarily cut features and promotional films. My NLE of choice is FCP 7

What personality traits or characteristics do you think it takes to be a successful editor?

To be a successful editor you have to be organized. An editor deals with video, stills, animations, sound effects, music, transitions, voice overs, etc. If you can’t manage media in an effective manner, you’re toast.

In your mind what is the biggest mistake most editors make?

Continuing off of my last answer, prep work. Many editors I know are so anxious to get to the end of a project that they leave a mess of media in their wake. This clogs up desktops, folders and just makes a huge mess out of things.

What’s your biggest pet peeve when editing?

Rendering…

What do you most enjoy about editing?

The moments when all of the pieces of a project begin to grow into something with emotion and meaning. Before this point, all of the shooting and media acquisition is nothing more than gathering pieces; pieces of a puzzle.

Any advice for someone just getting started in editing?

I recommend new editors try iMovie, and start editing a family video. It’s just important for them to get familiar with the process, the way it feels to import, connect and manage pieces of a project in a very basic way. Once they’ve completed a short home video, they’ll have a much better idea of what goes into an edit. They’ll also find out if editing actually interests them, which is key. As they grow as editor’s the amount of time they will have to put into projects will increase greatly, so they’ll have to really enjoy it. This is especially true if they’re looking to edit a feature.

What is the biggest challenge you face as an editor?

The biggest challenge I face right now is deciding which NLE to choose next. I’m FCP certified, but Apple drastically changed their NLE with FCP X, and I’m not looking to change the way I edit. So I’m stuck having to switch, and it looks like I’m headed in the direction of Adobe Premiere.

If you had to compare editing to something else what would it be and why?

Hmmm, that’s tough. For me there’s nothing quite like editing. The long solitary hours, the small rewards that add up to an exciting finished product. But I guess if I had to choose I’d say editing is like being a construction foreman. As I said before, so much of my time is spent maintaining order. Making sure that all of my video is transcoded to the proper codec, that my framing and aspect ratios are correct, that my dialogue is audible and my sound effects and music are appropriately mixed, that my color is consistent throughout the entire project and my visual effects are on point. Much like a construction foreman, who is responsible for organizing the overall construction of a project, I do the same.

Most annoying editing trend since barn door wipes?

Over cutting! Shot, shot, shot, angle, shot,… stop cutting! Just because you can cut doesn’t mean you always should.

Your thoughts on dissolves? Is it just a crutch? Does it ever actually serve a purpose?

No I don’t think dissolves are a crutch, they’re a great way to transition to another idea in a subtle way. I spend alot of time getting dissolves to be just right length, they have to feel right. That said I’m a big fan of the jump cut.

I don’t know how to explain how inspiring this book has been so far.  It was the swift kick in the ass that I desperately needed. Full disclosure: I’m not an affiliate with anyone. I’m not linking you to it so I can make affiliate money.  I’m suggesting it because it is an amazing read. Here’s a link to “DAMN GOOD ADVICE” but buy it from wherever you can get it first.  It’s that good.

The amazing thing was that at NAB I got to spend time with some of my favorite people who have occupied the last two (now three) blog posts here and for good reason. The team at Variable are a creative catalyst every single time I see their work, speak to them, or listen to them speaking.  I just finished watching them on Cristina Valdivieso and Karen Abad’s monthly podcast and again was given the swift kick in the ass I needed. That GQ quote above with some minor altering could fit them to a tee. ” These iconic filmmakers brought a special brand of hard-living, no bullshit swagger to Brooklyn and the world at large.”  The podcast is NSFW but they are NGAF so that should be assumed. When someone is so passionate about something that you love, that it makes you feel less passionate, if you still have a pulse, it should drive you to work harder. That’s what happened to me. I can sit here and use big words and make a bunch of philosophical observations but their near maniacal fanaticism for filmmaking made me realize that it is time for me to make something bigger happen. I’m not exactly resting on my laurels here, we have a lot of things going on, but I realized I can do more. Obviously, a huge part of anything I do is my partner in crime, Cristina Valdivieso. I am using the phrase “I” only because she’s already kicking ass. Plus I can only speak for myself although I’m sure she would agree. The whole point of this is that I implore you, make the time to check out this podcast. They literally were handing out what I have dubbed “free mind explosions” for an hour plus. That’s enough jibber jabber from me I’m so amped up now I have to go write a script or punch thru cinder blocks. I’ll probably just write something because I’m not Chuck Norris. Anyway watch the Podcast with Variable.

There were so many good quotes people had to start quoting themselves. Yeah, “mind explosions.”

Well, look no further, the team at Variable are those people.

Their latest work “Holi” is a testament to their fearless approach to their craft. Their keen eye for lighting and composition are supremely evident. Their ability to draw in the viewer is on display for a minute and 47 seconds that you wish would never end. In that short amount of time we were projected into a world we knew little of but now are fascinated by. The ability to move the viewer on an emotional level is the goal for all of us, or at least it should be. In this case Variable not only knocked it out of the park, they grabbed a hot dog on the way to the parking lot, retrieved the ball, autographed it, put it in a display case and hand-delivered it to a deserving fan.

We tip our proverbial caps to you and can’t wait to see what you have in store next. We are positive it will be nothing less then amazing.

Enjoy this film and stay thirsty my friends!

Cristina + Jon

Website/Blog: http://kylelowe.tumblr.com/

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/kylelowe

I have been an editor for five years, I primarily edit web shorts, musical theater productions and music videos. Currently my NLE of choice is FCPX, but I have used FCP 5, 6, 7 and Premier CS5.

What personality traits or characteristics do you think it takes to be a successful editor?

I think a successful editor needs to be open to criticism and debate. Healthy and constructive feedback from trusted sources are great for growth.

In your mind what is the biggest mistake most editors make?

I think the biggest mistake editors make is not staying properly hydrated or rested. I make some of the dumbest edits when I don’t allow myself to rest and end up doing unnecessary revisions.

What’s your biggest pet peeve when editing?

I don’t have too many pet peeves while editing. Usually if I’m frustrated while editing, it’s because I don’t know where I’m taking the piece at that point in time. And that’s just because I didn’t prepare enough ahead of time, whether that’s in the writing or planning process.

What do you most enjoy about editing?

I most enjoy getting to see the final product develop while editing. It’s a very rewarding experience, especially if I was on the writing or producing team as well. Seeing something start as an idea and develop and be finished.

Any advice for someone just getting started in editing?

Two things I learned in school that stuck with me the most are:
Watch a lot of work you enjoy and analyze it for why you like it, a lot of it rests on the editors’ shoulders.
And (sadly, almost always) go with the talent/actor’s best performance, not the camera operator’s. If the camera operator was a little behind on the movement or the focus puller was just a little off on a pull, but the talent nailed their performance and the opposite happened on another take, the talent is going to take precedent.

What is the biggest challenge you face as an editor?

The biggest challenge I often face is the deadline. I like to take my time and craft an edit and let time pass between revisions and I don’t always have the time to do that.

If you had to compare editing to something else what would it be and why?

Although I’m not much of a cook, I would compare editing to being a chef. I’m making something for consumption by others and I am going to receive feedback on it.

Most annoying editing trend since barn door wipes?

I think the most annoying trend since barn door wipes are false lens flares. Please, stop overlaying fake lens flares over your portrait videos and music videos, I beg you.

10) Your thoughts on dissolves? Is it just a crutch? Does it ever actually serve a purpose?

I think dissolves can help a story, tell the passing of time or do the opposite and show that something is happening at the same time. But I don’t think that should be abused.

All those magical moments,  perseverance,  passion, and hard work will be realized in an exclusive screening of the highly anticipated film: Timescapes brought to you by Kessler Crane.

Not surprisingly, the tickets for the screening sold out in a matter of hours. It seems there are a lot of folks out there who are equally excited about this. If you want to go but were unable to get tickets here is your chance. Just send a tweet saying: “Want to go to the sold out @Timescapes screening in Vegas during #NAB2012? RT for a chance to win 2 tickets http://bit.ly/GWakBH”

All tweets sent by Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern will be eligible to win. The winner is responsible for any and all airfare, hotel, transportation or any other incidental expenses. This is just for two tickets to gain entry into the screening. Winner will be picked at random and notified via Twitter this Sunday.

For more details on Tom Lowe please visit Timescapes
For more info on the screening visit Timescapes Screening Info

UPDATE – The winners for the ticket giveaway are: @mweeksdotcom and @glrisley!!!

Yes, we decided to giveaway 2 sets of tickets at the last minute. So how did we do the giveaway? Random.org is a great site where you can generate random numbers for contests like this when you’re keeping track of names through an excel spreadsheet.

So to the winners: You can pick up your tickets from us at the Kessler Crane booth on Tuesday, April 17th between 10am & 12pm.

If you didn’t win, don’t fret… Kessler Crane will be announcing a few more giveaways so make sure you keep and eye on their Twitter and Kessler University.

Here’s some more information from Joe:

“This comparison, like the title states in unscientific.… I’m doing this for myself and since I’m already doing it I thought I would share it with the interweb. I made this as fair as I could with all the cameras involved.
All the settings were matched on the cameras, and I set the MKIII to the color profile setting that I run on my MKII. It is a flat setting that I have used for years. In the “faithful” setting, contrast and sharpness at 1, saturation at 2.
I had the C300 set up on a setting that I use to match it to my 5DMKII… I did change the C300 to CLOG after 6400ISO to give it better performance and less noise artifacts, I then applied the LUT to it.
Since the C300 has a crop factor I had to run a different lens on it. I had the L 24-70 2.8 on both 5D’s set to 34mm(I have two of those lenses) to match the 24mm L lens I had on the C300. Once the test hits 6400ISO, both the C300 and 5DMKIII use the Canon 24mm L 1.4 lens.
You will also notice that I had a hall light on during the first half of the test. Once it switches to the f1.4 setting on the 24mm lens that light is turned off and the only light you see is from the candle.
Make sure to Download the 1080p version to see what the comparison really looks like. The Vimeo compression really muddies things up with all cameras.
The First 3 shots were at 2.8 1250 ISO, and the last shot with the candle being blow out was the C300 at 1.4 with the 24mmL lens at 3200 ISO with LUT applied.
Thanks for checking out the battle, let me know if you have other questions.
Download the 1080p Prores version here – joesimonfilms.com/lowlightbattle/Low_Light_Battle.mov (Right click “download linked file as”)”

Here’s a shot of Fat Head setting up the C300.

If you’d like to see some of Joe’s work make sure you check out his new company, The Delivery Men and if you’ll be at NAB take advantage of his full day workshop if you can.