Breaking the Rules
Posted August 28th, 2006 by jeff in CommentsHey all. So, it’s time to talk about something close to my heart… editing. Most people here know that I come from an editing background before everything else. So, I’m going to do a quick experiment. I could spend days telling you what film/video editing means to me, but I’m really curious about what people think of when they think of editing. So, give me your thoughts. I’m especially curious about the non-film people’s thoughts.
Fire away.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I love editing because you can make a whole new movie in the editing room.
Plus, I get to stand over Jeff’s shoulder and ask him to try completely whacked out things, then change my mind at the last minute and watch him hit “undo” like twenty times…
Fun stuff!
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
From my observations in the producer’s chair, editing is like scrapbooking, with annoying people telling you where to put your photos and how to cut them. I am one of those annoying people. Ask Clay, our editor (aka Jeff Lofgren 2.0). I get to see his hard work poured out on the screen and then make him move scenes around, make a million tiny adjustments to VO, loop 10 second music clips and make them fit together seamlessly, and generally change the entire message. So, I kind of feel the same way as Matthew does.
Dance, monkey, dance! Damn, I love my job…
Also, congrats on the new digs, Matthew and Kel! Have a great time at your wedding, honeymoon, and moving. It’ll be alot of activity in a few short weeks!!
Dawn
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
as the actress i think - “DAMN!…I got cut again!”
: 0
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
To me, editing means a paycheck.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I bring this all up because I watched a documentary called “The Cutting Edge” (for real! no cheesy ice skating there, though). It’s all about the art of editing. I was curious to see what the “norms” think of when they think of editing, or if it’s more or less an invisible art form.
I tend to think that it’s the stage where you finally get to see the story coalesce into what it’s going to be for the audience. I think a movie gets retold so many times as it’s being produced. The first is in the scripting, followed by the performances and the ways that the actors tell the story. The final stage to me is the editing, where you can create an entirely new scene out of small moments that were never intended to be together. I’m always amazed when I watch something on set, and then get to editing. You’ll end up taking two things that had NO connection to one another and put them together to share something completely new with the audience.
So. There’s my deep thoughts.
New topic. More audience participation. Nudity?
Love, Jeff
BTW– I was hopped up on allergy meds last night and watched part of Sci Fi Channel’s epic masterpiece “S.S. Doom Trooper”. Wow. Thanks for the call and recommendation, Matthew.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Well, in keeping with your post, I felt that SS Doomtrooper was an example of a masterwork in exactly what you’re talking about. The subtlety in it’s form and the way you don’t, nay you can’t notice the editing shows the editor with a touch perhaps as skilled as Walter Murch.
…Huh. Or…it could be you don’t notice the cuts because you’re too focused on the INSANELY HORRIFIC 3D CREATION THAT TRUDGES AROUND THE SCREEN! DEAR GOD! THAT THING IS…I DON’T EVEN HAVE THE WORDS…
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
First off, kudos to Jeff for this topic. What great way for us all to share ideas. I’d say we make this a running theme. Whos with me?
Editing… I learned editing from Jeff and Matthew. They both have pretty interesting styles. One of the things I admire about them is there ability to see what could be a rough piece. Me? When I edit, I have to polish it over and over before I can even show it to folks because I just can’t ’see’ it until it is done. And I know when it is done when I see it. Its a really pretentious way of saying you just work and cut and trim until it comes together - until even you as the editor can’t see the cuts coming orremember them when they pass.
Also, I think its funny how we relate editing to our other passions - Dawn with scrapbooking, Matthew with storytelling and building, Nina with her acting. I Find that it is alot like writing with images as opposed to words. You try different combinations until you have created the maximum effect they can have.
During the editing of ‘Man/Woman’ I frequently worked 10 hours straight. The only times I have worked that long without it feeling that long was when I was writing or when I was editing. I think that says something to power of being able to lose yourself in the work - to become a part of it and be guided by it. So at the end, if someone were to ask you, “How did you do that?” you wouldn’t have an answer for them.
And that is as deep as I will ever get for this blog.
Later, bitches
D-Train
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Seriously, it’s like ‘Sleepwalker from The Pitch’ bad.
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Did you just call my subtle acting bad? As Sleepwalker in the Pitch?!? Dear god. Oh wait. You mean the CG at the end. Ha!
Anyways, at the risk of re-igniting an old g14 rivalry, I thought it looked a little like Pyramid-Head from Silent Hill. Out on DVD now!
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Editing…it has a lot of meanings for me. I have great respect for the people who have the patience to sit in a dark room for hours trying to cut something together. I once tried to learn Adobe Premiere and after fighting with Adobe’s highly unintuitive product, gave up. Then I spent lots of time watching Jeff, Dave and Matthew basically press a few buttons and move things around with the mouse to create very subtle changes that would make a scene work where it hadn’t before.
So all in all, being a walking prop by preference myself, I am amazed with what they can do to a performance. Where there was something I thought didn’t work, they sprinkle their faerie dust and make it beautiful.
thanks guys! :)
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
2 Things, first SS Doomtrooper? No shit, perhaps Jeff needs teh Beijing cocktail.
Secondly, editing. Editors are true ass storytellers because they have a take a pile of footage and turn it into a coherent story. Also, they have to make the tough decisions about what to cut. I imagine it pains g14 whenever they have to cut me or even a portion of me from their films, because they know that they are diminishing the overall artistic quality. Its tough, but I have to respect that. Besides, if I am every killed via a Biggie/Tupac type feud there will be Gavin Mead “Lost tapes” or “I acted in this movie a long time ago” (for you Balz).
D-Train continues!!!!
G
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Editing is what I wait for when I complete a shoot. Wait to see my face on the screen… Wait long, long, long time (not a shot at g14 at all; only a slight shot at g15; a huge shot at everybody else) and wait some more just to see what I look like and how bad my acting is and if there are any parts good enough for me to show girls to help me get laid.
Editing makes good shoots better or bad shoots worse or good shoots worse or bad shoots better or medium shoots mediumer or better or worse; editing is hard and requires computers. Editing sound really sucks ass. Especially when it’s ADR. Especially especially when no sound was recorded at all on the initial shoot (a shot at CrimsonChainProductions).
Editing requires people smarter than me. Better at computers.
I would like to edit someday. If Jeff teaches me.
I’m kinda drunk, so take my words of wisdom with some salt.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
First off, fuck you Jeff. You can suck my SS Doomtrooper. Everyone SHOULD go buy Silent Hill on DVD. I will, in fact, be buying an HD DVD or Blu-Ray player so that I can watch it in HD.
Gavin, it is (for me as an editor anyways) actually physically painful to cut footage, any footage, of your performances. But it IS good to know that you will fiancially support g14 after your untimely indie film gang war slaying. Because we will keep selling the shit out of that stuff!
And Sean, let that be a lesson to you. Stop working with other production houses. Cause when the indie film gang war goes down, it’s going to help to be on our side. Join us, and live in infamy.
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I’m going off topic, since I cannot start my own thread, not being one of the elite members of g14.
Anyway, you all make my lunch time at work very entertainining. I read up on the blog everyday and usually laugh my ass off. I love you guys!
Also, of other things featured on Sci Fi channel, we watched the wrap up to “Who Wants to Be A Superhero” last night. Very cheesy, but supremely entertaining. We’ve been following it since the beginning a few short weeks ago. There is nothing like watching some badly costumed freaks get attacked by dogs and watching a grown man cry like a girl because Stan Lee complimented him. Oh boy…endless entertainment. and I loved every minute of it. :)
And now, back to your regularly scheduled blog nonsense…
Dawn
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Happy Labor Day, Everybody! Hope none of you have to work!
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I do have to work, Jessie. Thanks a pant load for picking that scab.
Jerk.
DCW
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Editing? All I know is that editing takes a lot of work and a really long time. Since I still haven’t seen the finished product of SIP and it was filmed like…ummm…7 years ago, I just always assumed that editing takes a long time.
Then again, g14 just might have given up on that editing project and never told me. (I assume that is probably the case but it is still fun to give Matthew grief about it.)
And thanks Jessie for the Labor Day wishes, but I am working. But hey, that’s all I do. Hope you are off enjoying this fine day!
Miss you guys! A few days and counting for the big wedding right? I think we have waited longer for this day than the editing for SIP. (Or should I be saying that?) Love you guys! Congrats!
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
DCW–
Grumpy, are we? Just because you have to work. Didn’t you just get back from vacation?
Well. If I give you my Ghostface Killa doll, will that make you happy?
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Shit. I just typed an awesome entry and it got ate by some monster lurking in cyberspace. So I’ll just summarize. I ain’t working. D-Train-White’s a sucker. Yes, he’d be happy if you gave him the Ghostface Killa doll, JessieKenneyfromChicago.
Just 6 days til the wedding of the century.
I hereby proclaim all blogging this week dedicated to Balz (aka “Codename: The Package”) and the soon to be Mrs. K-Balz (aka “Gooseberry”).
And SS Doomtrooper freakin’ rocked. I recommend we get a copy to screen at the wedding.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Hi guys! I hope everyone enjoyed Ye Olde Labor Dabor, whether working or not.
I just posted this on your myspace page, but I thought all the bloggers, F.O.G.s and others would like to know about this - www.withoutabox.com. It’s a great site for independent filmmakers and rich folks who like to give money to independent filmmakers.
Wedding 2006. It’s the final countdown. Whoa.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
HOORAY, Wedding! Can’t wait to see the Balz make it legal.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I believe the proper terminology is “The Balzi” now that it’s plural.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Or possibly “The Balzes”.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
What about House of Balz?
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I dig that… I picture it sort of like the little old Chinese Man’s shop in Gremlins. Crazy, creepy stuff on the shelves. Mostly balls.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Yeah, the crazy, creepy stuff on the shevles would be tapes and tapes of g14 archive footage.
Yikes.
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I imagine all of the footage from P.J. (Pre-Jeff) is the scariest. Like the mythical Scream Digitale or… uh….
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
There would be archives of g14 footage, and balls. . .
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
how about H21 : Cruise Control… that’s gotta be one of the absolute scarriest.. IF anyone even still has it. Actually, forget I broght it up.. What were we talking about again?
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
What the hell is H21? Are you talking about Scream 4 Part 2: The Big Budget Sequel?
Dave, do you remember an H21?
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
yes, that’s what I’m talking about Scream 4 Part 2. I couldn’t remember the exact title name.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Yeah, Scream 4 Part 2: The Big Budget Sequel doesn’t exist anymore. At least, that’s how Dave tells it. Which, I for one am happy about, as it erases a large chunk of the most embarrassing stuff ever performed by g14 members. Of course, it also wipes out some truly inspired comedy bits, but you know what? Who cares? We’ll put them in other stuff at some point. Now…if I could just “lose” Scream 4 Part 3: The IKM Project in the move…
Matthew
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
But what about even further back in the archives…before there ever was a g14? Stuff like “Gates to Ireland”, “The Real World-H’s Clubhouse”, and “Evil Dead in a Snowstorm”? Do any of those exist anymore? They are the small handful of film projects I have actually been in. And I’m sure they would be very scary to have on the shelves at the House of Balz. Come on…who doesn’t enjoy awkward lesbian confessions between me and Laura Walko?Worst acting ever!
Honest, I’ve gotten better since I took acting classes at JMU!
Dawn
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I liked the Scream movie. I thought it was cute…that is what you were going for right?
And isn’t time for a new blog? Just a thought…ignore me if I get to…well if I start thinking too much.
Duh Duh Du Duhhhhh, Duh Duh, Du Duhhhh…(my lame attempt at writing the wedding march)