Famous last tweet…

I’m currently looking for a video editor for a potential upcoming gig. Sounds easy, right? Wrong… I’m finding it difficult because I’ve been working as my own editor for the past 4 years. As a result of making over 120 videos (over 10 hours of viewing, longer than the ENTIRE Lord of the Rings trilogy), it’s hard to find someone with the same, if not more experience.

Though my editing 4 years ago was basic, I’ve since learned a lot of tricks and have developed into a pretty darn proficient editor. While I do most of my editing in Final Cut Pro, I also use Motion for special effects and green screen (I used to use Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects). Most recently, I’ve been working to make stationary shots look a little more natural using handheld camera effects and appropriate color correction. Example:

At this point, when I say I’m looking for an editor I’m looking for someone who can already demonstrate his/her ability to do what I’ve already taught myself over the past 4 years. Scott Hampson suggested on Twitter that I “should give someone with less experience a chance, so they can learn.” Definitely an admirable idea, but then what would be the point of hiring and paying someone if I could do it better myself? Sure, it could free up more of my time… or it could mean losing time to tutor them instead. I responded saying “People with less experience can gain more by making their own content, like I did.” Eventually, if we all work hard enough, we all get picked up for our talents.

Another problem I’m worried about is that even if I find a professional TV/Film editor, they won’t have the experience I need to make things short and snappy for the web. Sure there are some talented people out there, but I need the kind of person who can edit fast-paced MTV intro-type stuff! That’s what the web is all about after all… curing your A.D.D. My golden standard for web video editors is Mike Ambs, former editor of Epic Fu. The show was always dynamic and exciting to watch. Example:

If you think you have the experience and creativity I’m looking for, and live in the Los Angeles area, please contact me and send me a link to your reel. The hunt is on!

Zod bless the Dominion of Canada! I’ll be judging the Social Media category of this year’s Canadian New Media Awards. No, I will not take bribes (unless they’re Dark Chocolate cupcakes from Sprinkles in Beverly Hills which would be next to impossible for any Canadian entrant… HA!).

All jokes aside, I’m really happy to be chosen…

The event will take place at nextMEDIA Toronto on December 1st, so go enter your web site or show so I can judge it, fellow Canadians! (Warning: it’s not free to enter, but there’s an early bird special of $125 if you enter before September 18th.)

And to those yanks out there who didn’t already know it… I. Am. Canadian!

My internet buddy Nick Douglas just put out a new book called Twitter Wit which includes a collection of funny tweets from various web peeps, including one from moi! Also included in the book are tweets from Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert, Stephen Fry, and many more. You can order the book on Amazon.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been quoted in books, however. I also contributed my knowledge in an interview conducted by fellow Canadian Leesa Barnes for her book Podcasting for Profit, which you can also order on Amazon.

And, last but definitely not least, my best friends Tara Platt and Yuri Lowenthal have just put their new book on voice acting up for pre-order on a new site I helped them design! Check it out here… Rudy did all the code work and I created all the banners.