The Trials and Tribulations of Finding an Editor
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!
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Hey Casey
I think it’s okay to consider people with less experience than yourself – that doesn’t always translate into terms of worse or better. I mean, I think you’d want to avoid any difficult situations and bring someone onto your team that, of course, knows their way around FPC and Motion.
But there’s always an adjustment period
there’s always a risk in changing your workflow. I know Steve and Zadi took a risk on me, none of the work I’d done on Pedal, or other projects really, was a perfect-fit for Epic FU. And the first few weeks was a major adjustment, they were teaching me a lot and helping me get comfortable with their style, and their direction.
I remember when I first started, it would take me 3 or 4 days to finish an entire episode of FU – a few months in and I was able to turn-around an episode in 2 days (often even 1 day).
So, I just wanted to mention that, I know we DM’d back and forth a few times about this on Twitter. But no matter who you hire, or how experienced they are, you *will* be taking twice the time it normally takes to edit your show the first few weeks.
But that’s ok. Soon you’ll both be on the same page, and you’ll suddenly have a ton more free time to push other aspects of your career. I’ll stop rambling now
I certainly wish you luck finding an editor,
Mike Ambs is fantastic and we love him. I can’t wait for him to get back to LA. And Zadi actually edited the first 100+ eps of the show and created the style that Mike adapted to so well. We’ve been really lucky having awesome editors!
LOTR extended is 12 hour long. Extended is the only version that matters…