Our film's director was stricken by an illness as we moved into post-production. We were forced to have our screenwriter (he was on set) work with an editor to cut the film.
Screenwriter went through all the footage along with his notes and the script supervisor’s notes with the editor. He then did a six-week side-by-side with the editor to achieve a cut. Apart from some minor adjustments the edit looks exceptionally good.
Now the director is on the road to recovery. The director is looking to do his own cut with a new editor. However, the film has a cut and we do not have the funds or the time to re-cut.Any advice on how to satisfy all concerned?
What credit should the writer get?...Editor? Co-director?
What's the contract say in regards to the director and getting his cut/edit? Is there a clause in there about not being able to submit an edit due to another job or illness? Who gets final cut: the director or the producers? Do you have a stop date in which your film needs to be completed and to provide to distributors? Is there money in the budget to hire a new editor? Since you already know you don't have time or money then it comes down to what's in the contract. The director gets a "director" credit, and the writer can be an editor in second position (the writer did not director the movie). At the end of the day you just have to point to the contract and follow it as everyone is aware of what is in it.