A recent query put out on the TIVA listserv got me thinking.
This is a subject that has come up here on an almost daily basis for the past year, and we decided this would be a good time to poll the professional community.
The School of Communication trains students in both broadcast news and documentary film production, and we have been energetically debating which non-linear editing system(s) to recommend to students about to enter the industry. We are fortunate to be able to offer a wide array of tools here: Final Cut Pro (both of ’em), Premiere Pro CS6, and Avid MC 6. But our students have a limited amount of time and can probably only become proficient in one system during their time with us.
So, what system do you think the Class of 2013 and beyond should get to know well? As the prospective employer of a newly-minted producer/editor what would you like to see on a resume? And will the answer for the DC market be substantially different from that for NYC, LA, or elsewhere?
Thanks in advance for your advice and comments!
Here are some of my thoughts:
Two years ago I would have said (without hesitation) your students need to be proficient on FCP. Then, introduce them to Avid and Premier Pro. However, FCP has shot themselves out of the market…Now I would advise proficient in Avid or Premier Pro and introduce them to FCP.
But perhaps a deeper question is: What are you teaching? Producing or Editing? Do students sign up for your class to become editors or producers? (And this answer may change from class to class.) However, as long as you teach strong organizational skill sets on NLEditing what really matters is good strong producer skills. (And this applies for folks who want to become editors.) You must learn how to write a script BEFORE you shoot. You must know how to prep a shot list and set up a timeline for a complicated shoot. You must know how to take notes or have an assistant whose job it is to take notes DURING the shoot. You must know how to then revise that script AFTER the shoot. You must know how to produce an easy to understand storyboard to share concepts with clients. Back timing is # 1. Whether you are working on a timeline for news or a budget/deadline for a non-time sensitive project. Your word is your reputation. If you tell a client it will be delivered on the 5th it better be delivered on the 5th or earlier. Later then that and you may not see that client again. (And they don’t care if your computer crashed or you were sick or had an appointment at 7pm) The organizations skill sets are invaluable for both editors and producers.
It is a certain type of person who decides to become an editor. They are skillful on a computer, VERY detailed, have a creative eye and are always on the look out for new technology and ideas. They are always tinkering on the edit system to come up with a new concept or idea. They are drawn to editing like a moth to a flame. If the computer crashes they have several ideas up their sleeve about how to fix it themselves first…they do not call in for help immediately. Or they have a back up plan in place.
One of the best questions I ask potential hire is: When your computer crashes what do you do? If the answer is I call tech support…then they fell a few places in the list…If the answer is I go on line and figure out how to fix it myself…(and there has to be a certain level of confidence in that answer) They will most likely survive in the small business world….It says to me they are curious and aren’t afraid to make a mistake in an effort to trouble shoot and keep the project moving forward.
The next thing I look for in a hire is good writing skills. (Sounds silly for and editor huh?) Please don’t sent me an anonymous poorly written email. Show me you know something about my company and that we really do have something in common. You can have the best demo in the world – If I can’t get past your inability to communicate with me you are not going to get a job interview and the market is loaded with great talent right now.
Producers should also get comfortable with the editing systems. In many places of employment they will be cutting a first draft, working as their own media manager, using their own systems to check and review footage..or at the very least have enough knowledge to NEVER UTTER the WORDS – “We will fix that in post.”
The new world out there is really searching more and more for “Preditors” the combined skill set of the Producer/Editor. Folks with those combined skill sets are far more valuable and will find a larger job base to search. (And this will take more time then a collegiate environment can provide.) However, you can now apply for jobs in larger firms who have their own communication departments. Add Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator and you can look at companies with marketing departments. This means you are no longer applying just to Post houses and Broadcast facilities. The best Preditors are problem solvers. They make it happen no matter the circumstances. They are always thinking multiple steps ahead and have several alternate routes available to them if one develops a roadblock AND they have the DRIVE to follow through.
You know what it is they say: Television is like sausage making you love to consume it but you never want to see how it actually comes together.
A little food for thought.
2 thoughts to “A little Insight on Editing”
Wow what a great read. I love the description of the preditor here. We are relentless problem solvers!! There are lots of other good points and advice for students and should be shared with all students of video/filmmaking in this article too. The point that a producer needs to spend time in the editing trenches is spot-on since every single element of production converges in the editing phase. Editing is a critical self-reflection process which reveals how everything should be accomplished during production to avoid costly pitfalls and limiting the potential of a project. Likewise, an editor quickly learns how to shoot, pace, light, and record audio for a scene properly, since it falls on them to cover up all the mistakes made on set. Editors are like wizards, combining technical knowledge with creative flair to create an attractive, exciting final product from the sum of so many smaller parts. Next time you see an editor, give them a hug.
Being a recent grad myself, I wish I knew Avid, because it’s a required skill for most of the jobs I’ve read or heard about, at least in N.Y. and L.A. If I was still in school I would look for one that has Avid available, since it seems to be the most marketable skill an editor can have (that or After Effects). I think there is a regional difference in which editing suites are used where, because I have not seen or heard about very many Avid suites in the DMV area. I think the most common setup here is using Final Cut Pro in conjunction with After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
So Avid is the Ferrari of the video editing world; the best, fastest, and most expensive suite out there- but for the student just starting out and on a budget the best option for personal production in my opinion is subscribing to Adobe Creative Cloud (CS6), which gives the user access to the entire Adobe software catalog in addition to 20gb of cloud storage space for only $30-50/mo. This is by far the most affordable and comprehensive post production- nay, entire digital art creation- solution out there.
Thanks for your comments Alex- Avid and Premiere Pro are the new preferred softwares of choice due to the introduction to FCPX. And both have come a long way. Avid in dropping their price point and Premier in offering a quality high-end product. If you become proficient in FCP you will pick up the other two without too much difficulty. There is a lot of cross over. Lynda.com is one of my favorite go to sites for some brush up on specific techniques or heck if you want to introduce yourself to a software. There are also lots of great demos out there.
As for the cloud – think about cost and the number of products you actually use. It maybe more effective to purchase a license – especially on the upgrade.
It does boil down to being a good story teller. The bells and whistles will follow. But without flow, high quality camera work and the best cutting will be lost. I have seen some good looking junk out there.
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