Learn from acclaimed film editor and director Anne Goursaud, whose work includes THE OUTSIDERS and the Oscar-winning BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA.

Get an Editing Guidelines Cheat Sheet you can apply to your very next project!

If you've ever wondered what separates a good editor from an indispensable one, the answer isn't found in your software proficiency or your reel — it's found in your ability to tell a story. In today's competitive industry, directors aren't just looking for someone who can cut footage cleanly; they're looking for a creative partner who understands narrative at its core. Whether you're an editor looking to deepen your impact or a director wanting to sharpen your collaborative instincts, this webinar is designed to help you become the storytelling collaborator that every project — and every director — needs. The skills you'll develop here have the power to elevate not just your edits, but your entire career.

Yet so many talented creatives hit a ceiling when it comes to this work. They rush into the edit without asking the right questions, or they treat the script and dailies as separate tools rather than complementary guides. Others struggle to understand why certain cuts feel emotionally flat, or they cut scenes in isolation without a clear sense of the full film's story architecture. You might technically know how to cut — but do you know the four fundamental questions every editor must answer before making a single decision? Do you know how to use character as your compass, or how to find a personal connection to the material that makes your work truly resonate? These are the gaps that hold editors back, and they're exactly what today's session is going to address.

Your instructor today is uniquely equipped to guide you through all of it. Anne Goursaud is an accomplished film editor and director whose career was launched when none other than Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola recognized her talent and brought her on to edit ONE FROM THE HEART. Since then, Anne has edited some of Hollywood's most celebrated films, including Coppola's THE OUTSIDERS, the Oscar-winning BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, and IRONWEED — starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their performances. Her work spans drama, horror, comedy, documentary, and musical film, and she has collaborated with directors and performers at the very top of the industry. Beyond her extraordinary editing career, Anne has also directed, produced, and written — giving her a rare 360-degree perspective on the storytelling process. She served as a Senior Editing Mentor and Senior Lecturer in Editing at the AFI for seven years, holds a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, and is a member of the Directors Guild, the Editors Guild, A.C.E., and the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In this webinar, Anne will walk you through the editor's true role as a storyteller — covering how to approach the material, whether and how to use the script versus your dailies, and the four fundamental questions that should guide every edit. You'll explore why story is king, how to select dailies effectively, and the guiding principles that go beyond standard editing rules to help you understand the reason behind every cut. You'll also learn how to build a genuine collaborative relationship with directors and how to use character as your creative compass. By the time you walk away, you'll have a concrete framework — and a practical cheat sheet — for approaching every project with greater intention, deeper emotional intelligence, and the storytelling instincts that make editors truly irreplaceable.

PLUS! You will receive this handout to help you:

• Editing Guidelines Cheat Sheet
  
  

The Overview

• The editor’s role as a storyteller
• What truly makes films great

Approaching the Material

• Should you read the script?
• Using the script vs. dailies as your guide
• The 4 fundamental questions every editor must answer
• Understanding logline, synopsis, plot, and story—and why each matters

Bringing the Story to Life

• Why story is king
• How to select dailies effectively
• Guidelines for cutting a scene
• Strategies for assembling the full film

Guiding Principles

• When editing rules are not enough
• Editorial guidelines in support of story
• Understanding the “reason” behind each cut
• Using character as your compass
• Finding a personal connection to the story and committing to it
• Creating a collaborative  relationship with the director

Q&A with Anne

• Film editors at any level looking to deepen their storytelling instincts
• Directors who want to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with their editors
• Film students preparing to enter the industry with a competitive edge
• Aspiring editors looking to understand what truly gets you hired
• Cinematographers and other creatives who want a deeper understanding of the editing process