The Practical Guide to Documentary Editing

Conclusion

“Film editing is now something almost everyone can do at a simple level and enjoy it, but to take it to a higher level requires the same dedication and persistence that any art form does.”

—Walter Murch¹

While editing does require a reasonable slice of natural talent, I believe that, for the most part, our editorial skills develop with time, practice and patience. I found that to be particularly true in the early stages of my career, and I believe it still. We must practice all we can.

In order to do this most effectively, to begin with at least, we must take every editing job that we can, no matter how trivial it may at first seem. The only way to learn and improve our editing is by applying the skills we have learnt to the practical ...