What is a film editor?

The film editor is a central figure within the filmmaking process, as he or she has a major dramaturgical influence on the overall effect of each film through editing.

In film editing - also known as film montage - images or scenes are composed into a complete work. This goes beyond the purely technical arrangement of images and sequences and requires creative and technical skills.  

The smallest changes in editing can completely influence the dramaturgy, message and style and have a significant impact on the success of a film.  

The tasks of a film editor are complex and varied: from the first viewing of the raw material, organization, image and scene selection to the right timing, rhythmization of the images, the right narrative structure, sound/music selection and music editing.

The script is often significantly changed in the editing process. In the editing process, the editor must always keep the overall work in mind and make decisions that influence the entire film. Each of their tasks contributes to realizing the overall vision of the director, the author or the film team.  

The tools of a film editor

In addition to creative skills, the film editor's technical know-how is also crucial. Since the 1990s at the latest, film editing has been carried out in digital form. Knowledge of editing software, effects and AI innovations guarantee an impressive visual realization.

A film editor uses various software tools. These programs help to cut and edit the film material. The best known include

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Final Cut Pro

• Avid Media Composer

• DaVince Resolve

Each of these programs has its own strengths. The choice of tool often depends on the preferences of the editor and the requirements of the project. A good understanding of the software is crucial. This allows the editor to get the best out of the material.

The creative process

A good film editor turns a large number of images into an exciting and moving story. By selecting the images, timing the cuts and using various editing techniques and effects, individual takes of the raw material are transformed into a dramaturgical unit.  

The desired emotion can be created through the use of different editing techniques such as jump cut, match cut parallel montage or slow motion. The aim should be to captivate the audience with the help of montage. A deep understanding of visual language and visual effects is the basis and prerequisite for this creative process. Knowledge of film theory also helps here: since the writings of André Bazin, "montage", which is equivalent to "cut" in German, has been used in French to describe a process that sees the difference between two images cut together as a potential for meanings that are unfolded in the sequence; the most striking example is Sergei M. Eisenstein's "collision montage". In contrast, découpage classique (or Hollywood montage, Hollywood-style montage) attempts to emphasize the continuous flow of the plot or argumentation - so that the actual interfaces in the perceptual experience of continuity slip below the threshold of perception. In contrast, the interface of the jump cut, for example, is deliberately perceptually conspicuous.

The editor also has the task of showing the characters and their development. The editor can direct the viewer's perspective through editing. He decides when a scene is shown and how long it lasts. These decisions are crucial for the impact of the movie.

Teamwork

The editor therefore plays a decisive role in the production of a film. However, a film editor does not work alone. The creation of a good film requires the interaction of many creative minds. The director, cinematographer and sound editor all work closely together to help bring the vision of a film to life. Together they decide how the movie is best told. At Golden Claim, all trades work closely together under one roof - the best prerequisite for good teamwork!

Conclusion

A film editor plays a crucial role in film production, as their creative and technical expertise has a decisive influence on the film process. From rough cut to fine-tuning, the film editor is responsible for the emotional impact and suspense of a film. They bring the director's vision to life. Through editing, they shape the story and influence the emotions of the audience. The work requires creativity, technical knowledge and teamwork.

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