Around 20+ years ago... this happened!
I worked as an assistant video editor on a TV series.
My task was assembling the rough cuts of the scenes using the script, the decoupage*, and the notes from the shooting.
Since I have already demonstrated some good skills in editing scripted content, the senior editor has permitted me to work on my cut versions too.
He insisted on one rule only:
I could make my cut only after I had finished the director's cut.
One day, the senior editor had left the studio for a couple of hours. I was bored and a little overconfident, so I decided to have some 'fun' before I started working.
I would edit my cut first and leave the director's cut for later.
Unfortunately, that day, the director was passing near the editing studio, so he decided to pop in and meet the 'skilled assistant' he heard about.
We were introduced and he asked to see what I was working on, so I proudly showed him my version.
After a brief, awkward silence, he asked to see his version, to compare with, which I hadn't edited yet!!
Imagine the embarrassment when I saw his disappointment and frustration.
Luckily, the senior editor, who has just returned to the studio, saved me by taking it all on himself. He said that he instructed me to make this specific cut (before editing the director's cut first) because of such and such and he calmed down the confused director.
Later that day, the senior editor taught me one of the most important lessons of my career.
The outline was:
Always make the director's cut first.
But why?
Because the director's cut is:
- the base.
- the starting point
- the reference
- the intent
- the vision
Any cut version without having the director's cut as a reference is just an opinion.
Opinions are important only when they are in context with the subject in discussion.
We may spend years creating countless versions of the scene and still be a million lightyears away from the director's vision.
Only after editing the director's cut, can we evaluate whether the scene is 'working' or not.
And it is more than that.
Having the director's cut ready first:
- It shows respect for his vision and the whole production team who shot the scene.
- Realize the scene, and show how it looks in reality and 'outside' the director's mind.
- Provides a solid ground for fruitful conversations.
- Relieve stress knowing that at least we 'have' v01 ready.
- We can reference how far from the original scene we went with each iteration.
- Exposes the 'mistakes' we should fix.
I made a huge mistake and I got a huge lesson!
(maybe that should be the topic for tomorrow's email)
Have you been taught similar lessons, or made similar mistakes you'd like to share with me?
Reply if you want to discuss them in private!
I am sure we will both benefit from such a conversation, which could turn into an insightful email to share with others!
-Yannis
*decoupage (in french: découpage)
In the context of this post and what I was taught during my video editing studies:
Decoupage is the breakdown of the written script of the scene, into shots.
It has all the technical and creative instructions needed, for a shooting crew to shoot the scene.
It contains information such as:
- Number of scene/shot/take.
- Expected duration of the shot.
- Size of shot (close-up, medium, wide etc.)
- The type of camera placement or movement.
- The time and place of the action happening in the scene.
- Actor's positions, movements, or reactions.
- Descriptions of transitions between shots.
In theory, if one could shoot every shot exactly as described in the decoupage, he could have edited the whole film.
A famous quote from Rene Clair:
'When I have finished writing the découpage, my film is made.'
