In order to see and enjoy the final product of a movie in a theatre, or final cut as is known in the industry, the film has to go through a long process from its conception to its screening. This process is known as pre-production, production and post-production, which I already explained in other post. In the Post-Production its when the magic of the movie happens. The editor lay hands on the film and the final cut is created, up next im going to explain a little bit better what editing is about.
Film editing is part of the creative process in the post-production. In this stage the editor works with "raw footage" selecting shots to combine them into sequence and finally creating a motion picture that gives the movie that final "look" that the director and producers want and that we see in theaters.
There exists several stages in the editing process of a film:
1. Logging: This is the first stage, is the stage when the editor receives the "dailies" (shots that are taken during the production process.) This is the first time the editor see the film, and since its not sent in order, the movie is out of the story context, the editors job is to look for fluidity of movement that will later be included in the movie.
2. First Assembly: After seeing the first shots, the editor starts to select shots, considers all the audio-visual material and re-order to tell the story. The First Assembly is like a sketch of the finished scene.
3. Rough Cut: also can be considered as the "editor's cut." In this cut the editor would work side-by-side with the director or by himself an then show the days and weeks of work to the director and producer. This stage takes from 3 months or more. In this rough cut the scenes are put together and is revised for continuity. This results in the first cut
4. First Cut: This cut is the rough cut that is approved by the producer, director and editor. In this stage the sequence is fixed although it can still have changes. The fine detailed fine cut begins to emphasize in the rythm and structure.
5. Fine Cut: This cut does not focus in the entire film, but in the details of rythm and structure identified in the first cut, when this cut is done the film is locked, this means that no longer changes in the edition of the film are going to be made.
6. Final Cut: When the fine cut has been approved by the producer(s) and the director, the sound designer and effects, music composer, digital effects are added to the film. When everyone agrees with the final cut the film is sent to distribution.
Editing is considered as an art/skill, and is what gives the magic to the movie, in the links below you can find tips for film editors and some editing "language" that may come in handy when editing your own film!
TIPS
EDITING DICTIONARY
Sequence Example:
References:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/cinema/editing2.html
http://www.raindance.org/the-6-stages-of-editing-as-a-film-director/
http://digitalfilms.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/12-tips-for-better-film-editing/
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