#443 – Twelve Editing Truths

Jonny Elwyn -

In today's issue of Cut/daily I wanted to trim things right back to a few core truths.

Over the past couple of decades as a working editor, these are the axioms I've come to accept as unavoidable facts that are best embraced rather than rejected.

This is what I know to be true.

Do you concur?

(If not, what's on your list?)

Axiom; ‘from the Greek axíōma (ἀξίωμα) 'that which commends itself as evident.’
– Wikipedia

12 Editing Truths

1. You have to watch all the footage to make informed decisions.

2. You won’t know until you try (and it takes longer to argue than to try.)

3. In the end you just have to give the client what they want.

4. The audience will tell you what you need to know. (Sometimes with words.)

5. Some of the best edits happen by accident. Accept the gift.

6. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Prep always pays off.

7. Learning new tools, techniques and storytelling principles is what keeps it interesting for everyone.

8. Your competition are your best community. Embrace them.

9. Everything is easy in hindsight, so don’t pass judgment from the comfort of your chair on the decisions made in production. (Plus it makes the Director grumpy.)

10. Cut as many different kinds of projects as you can. Each one will teach you something new.

11. Serve others with your skills. Even if it’s a friend’s wedding video or mother's birthday messages. Better yet, a cause you believe in, that could use a little help.

12. There’s always another way to make it better. Watch it back again. But in the end you just have to do the best you can with the time you have.

So remember, the truth is out there and cut daily.

Take This Further

Interestingly, I wrote a similar issue of this back in September 2021 and I chose three quite different truths.

PS - Love trailers? TWMT will send you the 10 biggest new trailers every Friday.

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