Working With Editors During Production
When budgets and time allow, it can be helpful to involve editors during the principal photography stage. Directors are usually visionaries with very clear images in their heads of how the film should look. There are still times when a sequence might not come together in reality the same way it does in theory. Editors can bridge the gap and help get ahead on assembling.
Here are a few ways that editors or assistant editors might be involved during a production cycle:
Assemblies
If the budget allows it, having rough assemblies of sequences as they are shot may reveal problems before it’s too late to go back and reshoot. These assemblies can also be used by crew or stakeholders to review the progress and adjust if needed.
Shoot Prep
Having an AE or editor prepping and syncing the project as the production goes along is a great way of getting ahead. If the footage is synced, organized and logged by the time production wraps, the editing process can start immediately.
Logging
An AE or post team can start entering metadata and cataloging the footage based on the script during production. Getting a head start on this process guarantees the project will be organized and easy to navigate on day 1 of the edit.
String-Outs and Dailies
If there isn’t time or budget for rough assemblies, it can be helpful to have stringouts of the dailies with LUT and burned-in metadata so the production team can review the footage and make adjustments.
On-Set Collaboration
It’s not very common for editors to be present on set, however if there is a complicated sequence that has been meticulously planned with post-production elements in mind, it could help to have the post team present including VFX supervisors or post supervisors and editors to provide guidance on how the footage will cut together.
No two films are the same when it comes to the right approach or how early or late and editor should step in.
During the initial meetings with post production, it’s best to explore the best options that will fit the needs of production and the stakeholders schedule.
For more information on working with editors check out this article:
Building an Efficient Editorial Workflow
If you’re curious about dailies and proxy workflows check out this article:
Dailies and Proxy Workflows Explained