"The whole eloquence of cinema is achieved in the editing room".

Orson Wells

When I first started working in film I thought that the editor was the least important job; the way the teacher had explained it, it sounded like a rushed process at the end where we scramble to put together the creative work of other people.  Now I lean more towards Orson Wells' thought above - so much of your films engagement and nuance are realized in the editing room.

The role of an editor in film production is multifaceted, with a significant impact on the final outcome of a film. Editors are responsible for assembling the audio and visual elements, shaping them into a cohesive and compelling narrative that effectively communicates not just the story but the emotional content as well. Although their primary role is during the post-production phase, editors also play an important role in the pre-production and production phases.

Editors have the task of considering various elements, such as pacing, narrative rhythm, and the creation of tension and mood, to ensure that the film engages it's audience. They make decisions regarding styles, such as where to disrupt continuity or bridge moments in time with montage, as well as transitions like straight cuts, dissolves, fades, and more, all in service of the narrative purpose.

The editor's role extends beyond technical proficiency; it requires an understanding of storytelling, a sensitivity to the emotional beats of a film, and an ability to shape the raw footage into a cohesive and impactful narrative. Through their creative choices, editors have the power to transform the raw footage into a polished and meaningful cinematic experience.

Introduction to the Role

The role of the editor in the IB Film program includes the oversight of the assembly of the film by working with the rest of the crew to bring all of the cinematic elements together, drawing out the right beats, emotions, and tones.  The editor collaborates with the whole team, weaving together multiple film elements to create a more holistic final product.

Main Responsibilities

Brainstorming & Pre-production

People who are new to filmmaking may often underestimate the editor's role in the early stages of film; this is understandable as the majority of their work will take place during the post-production phase.   However, the editor is concerned with the beats of the film, which help drive the emotional content as well as the plot.  They are concerned with the continuity of the film and are responsible for making sure that the story unfolds as the team intends. They may include a plan for color grading that affects the tone and aesthetic of the film.  They may guide us with titles or layered effects. In addition, there are many creative tools the editor has in their repertoire that require pre-planning;  for example, clever transitions like match cuts.

The list below include many of the actions and activities an Editor may be involved in at the pre-production stage. 

For more information, see our Pre-production and Brainstroming pages:

Production

During the production process, it is important that the editor oversees continuity.  For this reason, the editor is often in charge of a continuity sheet in which they take meticulous notes on what shots (or parts of shots) went well, what sound was recorded well on set, and what is still needed.   These notes may feel like a lot of work or distracting to the filmmaking process while the team is working hard to get their shots in - but they will save a great deal of work for the editor in the post production process.  Knowing exactly which shots to use will help sorting the footage. With a limited crew, it is also helpful for the editor to be the one who is clapping the slate.  Finally the post-production phase doesn't necessarily need to start at the same time for each crew member.   The image to the right is of editor Paul Matchliss working on location on the set of Baby Driver (2017).   Here, he assembles the film as it is shot, helping the director (Edgar Wright) and crew have a better understanding of what the film will look like when it is finished.

Here are some things an editor may be doing during the production phase;

For more information on the Production Phase:

Post-Production

Post production is of course the phase where the editor leads the work in collaboration with the director.  The editor will organize and assemble footage, adding sounds, graphics and titles. They will prepare a rough cut for the crew and class so that there is an opportunity for feedback and revision.  Finally they will prepare the final edit making sure all of the individual and/or group filmmaker intentions are visible, the film is complete and that it meets the IB Film requirements for submission.  It may be helpful for the editor to think of their job during post-production as having some of these sub-phases:

• Organizing Footage:  Footage should be organized into folders based on scenes as they are shot.  They may be labeled so that it is clear which footage is intended to be used in the final cut.   However, it is important not to discard footage at this stage.  Sometimes you may end up using a clip or a cut that you didn't think you would need.
• Assembly Edit: The assembly edit is not quite a rough cut, it is an edit in which the team can check to see how the film is coming together.  This is more important for making sure that you and your team have everything you need rather than making sure that the film is paced properly or that sound is perfect, etc.
• Rough Cut: The rough cut should be a version of the film that is as close to finished as possible.  In order to get the best feedback from your team and from your class, the rough cut should feel like the final film with everything put together with as much precision as possible. 

• Final Cut: The final cut should be made in response to feedback from a screening of the rough cut, including any additional material that needs to be added for completion.

  The following is a more detailed list of the Editor's role at this point:

For more information on the postproduction phase:

Overall

The editor must have good organizational skills to ensure that they have everything they need to assemble the film as close to the team vision as possible.  They must also be  highly creative; not just in the ways discussed above but through one of the most important traits of creativity - the ability to be flexible and adaptable.  It is more than likely that you, as the editor, won't have everything you need. You will have shots that do not demonstrate the correct continuity between them when they need to.   Solving post-production problems is a creative challenge but it can also lead to some of your most brilliant solutions. 

Of course, you want to keep those challenges to a minimum, so whenever anyone says "...we'll fix it in post" it is your job to say "Not on this film. Not on my watch ".

How Can the Editor Create Meaning in their role?

This is the question that you must ask yourself, whether you are analyzing the editing in a film, or considering your own approach as the editor of your film. Meaning is created through an application of these technical and creative considerations: 

Don't Forget: Visual Evidence

Throughout each stage of production, the director should be collecting visual evidence relevant to their role.