#452 – Emmy Contending Editors Talk
It's that time of year again when the Emmy nominations are up for consideration.
If you're eligible for either a nomination or to vote, then I'm sure you've already been researching what might be the most worthy shows this time around.
If (like me) you're not eligible to participate, hopefully, you've been watching some of this fine editorial craftsmanship with enough focus to be inspired in your own cutting.
This issue of Cut/daily features selected highlights from a quartet of interviews with four talented and highly experienced editors who have cut hard-hitting documentaries, top-tier drama, award-winning comedy, and everything in between.
All of whom are contenders for an Emmy nomination!
However, you can also enjoy an unedited download of all the editing wisdom shared by our four fine interviewees in this extended edition:
#452 – Emmy Contending Editors Talk (Extended Edition
(Read time: 23 mins)
But before we dive in, I have a question for you...
My favourite takeaways
Pace is everything. Pace and performance supersede continuity and shot choice.
There's a rhythm to the dialogue that needs to be honored even if it means breaking some rules. Learning how to hide it when you break the rules is the secret we have to master.
— Matthew Barbato
Plus, Matthew shares a ton of great tips in his answer to the first question below...
Experiment against instinct
Once the scene has shape, I leave it for an hour or so and look over the assemblies from the day before, then return back to the scene to see if it's a total car crash or somehow the foundations of where to begin.
Next I’ll likely roll around in different performances against my initial instincts, sometimes this unravels an alternative approach and other times it doesn’t.
— Yan Miles
There's no science to funny
Timing is essential in all genres: drama, documentaries, everything. But I’ve found that when I cut comedy, it’s really the cornerstone.
One frame off here or there can really ruin or make a joke. Staying on something too long can feel like you’re begging for a laugh, but also, sometimes, that linger can add an awkwardness that makes it even funnier.
It’s not a science at all; you really have to try things out to see where the biggest laugh is.
– Todd Downing, ACE
How to get hired
If someone is passionate about our craft, that will shine through above the rest.
When I’m hiring an assistant editor, I’m looking for a creative collaborator and someone who is passionate about the story.
Let that be the guiding light for a career, and it will be a success.
– Amelia Allwarden, ACE