Drama: Text Analysis - Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Book)

I am using ‘Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetic’ written by Michael Rabiger and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier, to analyse for preparation for our short film because the chapter on Post production could greatly benefit me as an editor.  This book explains the different roles in the post production team and what each one does. 

“Postproduction is the phase in which the sound and picture gathered in production are transformed into the film seen by the audience.” (Hurbis-Cherrier & Rabiger, 2013, p. 417)

As an editor I will work with the director to construct a director’s cut of a film by building the film from raw footage shot during the production stage. The book talks about how a ‘good editor is patient, highly organized, willing to experiment endlessly...’  (Hurbis-Cherrier & Rabiger, 2013, p. 418) and to be diplomatic when it comes to getting his or hers way in the editing process. The problem that most editors face is trying to edit the footage to match what the screenplay and the director wants but can struggle to achieve this goal if the raw footage itself doesn’t support the events in the screenplay itself. This is when an editor must use his or hers best judgement to edit the film to the best of their abilities to get the film as close as they can to the desired cut.

The book also states ‘Editors can be private and uncommunicative while at work, obsessed with detail, and unable to leave well enough alone. The film industry saying, “Never trust an editor with a tan,” implies that good editors seldom leave their work.’ (Hurbis-Cherrier & Rabiger, 2013, p. 418) This means that a good editor will not leave his or hers work till the film in finished to perfection / the directors choice. Editors are obsessed with the fine details of the edit and will be so into their work they will end up cutting off the outside work till the film is done. On one hand this shows dedication and focus in working style, which I find I do myself. Although good communication is needed between the editor and the director to achieve the look, temp and structure that is desired for the film.

The communication between directors and editors is so important that good editors will get preferred by directors and will accompany them from film to film. Between these two roles will come forth a unique style to a film that will burn their essence in to the audiences mind. For example, Tim Burton and Christopher John  Lebenzon work together on almost every film together and has a strong working relationship. Sometimes during smaller productions, roles have to be doubled up and having to not only direct the production but to also edit during the post-production stage when you are worn out and even depressed after the grilling hour and effort of shooting the film can be very stressful.

This book has a lot of information that I find personally interesting about the role of editor and even several roles in the pre-production and post-production roles. This book will help me via my next projects as it will help me to clearly understand the roles on the teams and what is needed to become a great worker within these roles no matter the production I am working on.

Bibliography

• Hurbis-Cherrier, M., & Rabiger, M. (2013). Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics. Taylor and Francis.