Major Project: Research (Editior Role Analysis)

Major Project: Research (Editing tips from Drew Fortier)

In preperation for the role as editor I looked at the work of documentary editor Drew Fortier. And watched a behind the scenes interview with him, where he breaks down the responsabiliteis of an editor. Bellow is the transcript form that interview whcih i read carefully to prepare me for my role as editor on this project.

• Receiving a brief, and maybe an outline of footage and/or a shot list, script, or screenplay
• Assembling all raw footage, with camera shots either recorded or transferred onto video tape in preparation for inputting into the computer
• Inputting uncut rushes and sound, and synchronising and storing them into files on the computer
• Digitally cutting files to put together the sequence of the film and deciding what's usable
• Creating a 'rough cut' (or assembly edit) of the programme/film and determining the exact cutting for the next and final stages
• Reordering and fine-tuning the content to ensure the logical sequencing and smooth running of the film/video.

Additional tasks may include:

• overseeing the quality and progress of audio and video engineering and editing
• experimenting with styles and techniques including the design of graphic elements
• writing voiceover/commentary
• suggesting or selecting music.

Fortier goes on to explain in an article he rote, about what important values you should have as an editor> He explains that you want to ideally have a fast turn around to impress employers.

For my project this will mean cutting sequences together (even if they are rough) soon after they are filmed so we can get a sense of how they will work.

Fortier also explains that an editors role is often one of experimentation. Saying that it is important to test different ideas and techniques, getting a range of opinions to see what works best. For my work I think the best way to achieve that will be through the use of different editing styles, especially using different music to raise or lower emotions.

Fortier goes on to say that with his work on "Attack On Life", he found that it was important to regularly engage his director. Ensuring he had a more active relationship with the production crew and his director in particular, meant that communication could be clear, it was easy to understand the progress that had been mind and lead to a more open relationship that allowed creativity to flow.

I hope to have my director with me for a large portion of the edit so that I might regularly get his opinion on sequence and effective story telling techniques. 

An editor must have an understanding of narrate and story telling techniques. Able to construct a pathway even if the work is not linear. And most importantly an editor should be a problem solver. Taking on board information and context from each shoot so that if a problem arrises they either work towards fixing it or suggesting an alternative option. 

I hope to look further in to Fortier's work to help inform and inspire me as editor on this project.