Post-Production

Whether you’re an editor, sound editor, Foley artist, compositor, VFX specialist or work in any profession related to the post-production process, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on your chosen craft of the business in general

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I am the producer and sometimes screenwriter for a community filmmaking group We tend to have problems when we get to editing. The editing process seems to take an excessively long time and the final film doesn't meet expectations. I was hoping people here would have some suggestions.

A few more deta...

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A few more details: We have a different director, writer, camera operator, and editor for each project. The directors typically have lots of experience with stage productions and little or none with film. I feel that the directors have a little trouble with the concept that the audience's frame of view has to be created on film yet in stage productions, the audience can look anywhere they like. The editors typically have experience editing family events and documentary projects. They tend to have technical skills but have not used storytelling skills in fictional stories. There aren't any personality problems. The director, editor, and I (and the rest of the cast and crew) work well together and we all want a great film.

The process we follow is basically:

1. Writer and director create shot list.

2A. While filming, mostly follow shot list. Usually need 2 or 3 takes to get the perfect shot. We make note of the best take.

2B. If, while on location, we identify new shots, we'll add them.

3. Editor renames all the audio and video files with the scene / shot / take.

4. Editor assembles the best take of each shot in the proper order.

5. Producer and director provide notes.

6. Editor makes changes.

7 We repeat steps 5 and 6, seven or eight or nine or ten times or until we get fed-up with it.

8. Add music.

9. We look at each other and ask, "why isn't this film better?"

During the editing process, we tend to lose dialogue and action that we want but when we see it in the rough cuts, those shots seem wrong somehow.

I appreciate any tips or thoughts. Because we use different crew / cast for each project, I'd like to create a process or a list of things to do -- or not to do -- that I can share with each new director, camera operator, and editor.

Maurice Vaughan

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1 person likes this
- Shellie Schmals
4 months ago

Hi, Nate Lombardi. You (or your friend) can check the Job Section for a professional editor who's done something like "Sex and the City" (https://www.stage32.com/find-jobs)....

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Shellie Schmals

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Hi Nate Lombardi - did your friend find an editor?

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2 people like this
- Hakim Kisakye
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Hi Teyonno Carter - Happy to share a few resources for you:

ht...

Teyonno Carter

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3 people like this
4 months ago

Thank you Shellie Schmals. Happy thanksgiving

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Frank Van Der Meijden

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Sam Chambliss
7 months ago

Thanks, Sam Chambliss I feel it is getting somewhere now. It feels good to bring music/sound, nice shots and the storyline together.

Johnny K. Wu

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Frank Van Der Meijden
7 months ago

good luck!

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2 people like this
- Frank Van Der Meijden
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

Frank Van Der Meijden - any updates from the music studio? Would love to hear about it!

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

Thanks for checking, Shellie Schmals. I'll post an update!

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2 people like this
- Shellie Schmals
- Maurice Vaughan
5 months ago

Sam Chambliss sorry for the late response: feel the same actually. It's like finishing a painting, I think every artist never dares to say: it's finished.......

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq

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1 person likes this
- Lindbergh E Hollingsworth
5 months ago

I don't know that I agree with Lindbergh in this case about too many hands, but I do agree that editing (or ANYTHING creative) by committee is asking for mediocre results at best. Editing can ruin at...

Tom Miller

5 months ago

Thanks Shadow. I am more confident assessing the acting and writing. While they might not be perfect in these cases, they aren't the cause of the disappointing final cut. What I don't have is a good f...

Simon Foster

3 bits to add to your process -

0 - rewrite, rewrite, review, rewrite, rewrite - feedback from director and producer, rewrite even more - and don't even start any pre-prod until you are confident the...

Thanks Simon. We are just about to show the current project to some folks to get their input. The director was strongly opposed to showing it to strangers. I"m not sure how effective this process will...

Stephen Folker

More cooks in the kitchen doesn't always equate to a better meal. I think your question needs to be accompanied with a final product for review. How does this meal taste...(wait you can't taste it...but how can I make it taste better)

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- William Schumpert
6 months ago

Perhaps you can start there for the voice that you want...

William Schumpert

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
5 months ago

Thanks for the help. They finally responded. For some reason I have to lengthen the intro and ending. I’ll have another look at it.

Molly Peck

Hi William, that's great - good luck with the project!

Thanks for the responses. They finally did answer. And it turns out it’s more than likely a problem I didn’t fix the first time around.

Mark Unthank

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Ramy Mishriky
6 months ago

Hey there Ash. Please give me details on the film's audio. How long? Is it all from the same recording equipment? Is the audio from multiple locations?

Ash Cohan

Hi Mark! The film is roughly 15 minutes and all from the same equipment EXCEPT there was one short scene where the audio had to be recorded on a backup. The audio is all taken from one room. Let me know if this clarifies anything!

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2 people like this
- Shellie Schmals
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

Hey there Ash. I'd like to do it for you. I run live audio, compose and produce music for media. I've done some audio sweetening for productions in the past, but not on a regular basis. I'll do it for...

Wilson Ufuoma Okoroluwa

Interested Vadrevu

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Vyjayanthi Vadrevu
6 months ago

email: Transmaxpressmedia@gmail.com

Hi Vjayanthi - So nice to meet you! Stage 32 has a free job board that you can post jobs opportunities. To find it, click “Jobs” on the top menu bar & you can add details, here's the link >> https://w...

Vyjayanthi Vadrevu

Oh thank you!!

9 months ago

Hi Annika - have you tried reaching out through Stage 32's the Browse - Members section >> https://www.stage32.com/people >> I always find it helpful to Direct Message people I'd like to work with!...

Hi Annika Hylmö - checking in, how's your project going?

7 months ago

I am interested.. My question is What format did you shoot on, and how do we go about the work flow, what software did you use in editing?

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
7 months ago

Congratulations Niquel!! That's so exciting!! You can post jobs openings here >> https://www.stage32.com/find-jobs/add

Rama Rengan

What was your budget? I'm watching it now, it looks nice!

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