Edit Mechanix Tips for a Happy Edit Session
WHAT AN EDITOR NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING A PROJECT
 
Big Picture
 
- What end-site is the editing for;  the web?  Broadcast?  DVD?  Other?
- What are the deliverables?
- What software do you expect the editor to run? (Avid? FCP? AE? Motion? Color? etc.)
- Who will be there on edit day to help? (Assistant editors? Engineers? PAs? Other editors?)
 
Procedural
 
- How many edit days are budgeted (and what is the day rate)?
- What is expected to be accomplished during that time?
- If the project runs past the allotted time, what happens?
 
- The start and stop times for the session?
- What happens if the session exceeds the stop time?
 
- What happens when the script is not completed by the time editing begins?
- What happens when there are rewrites during the edit session?  Will more edit time be accorded?
 
Picture (Video & Graphics)
 
- What is/are the format(s) of the source media?
- How FX-intensive is the show? (What FX software will be available?)
- How GRFX-intensive is the show?
    (Will the GRFX be ready before, during or after the edit session ends?)
    (Where are the GRFX located (server? external drive? DVD? Other?  Have they been imported?)
 
Sound
 
- How music-intensive is the show?
    Has all the music been selected, imported, and clearly indicated somewhere?
- Has the music been cleared (licensed)?
- Is there a narration and has it been recorded?   (Or is it scratch track?)
- What are the finish audio requirement? (Stereo?  5.1 Surround-sound?  Dolby?  etc.)
 
Pre-edit/importing
 
- What format was the video shot on? (HDV?  HDCam?  P2?  Other?)
    (NB; Mixing formats can significantly increase in-session render time)
- Are there graphics (GRFX)?  If so, where are they located?  And in what format? (see previous note)
- Will (all) the media be digitized before the edit session?
 
During the session
 
- Is the script clearly marked for A-roll and B-roll?
- Does each SOT have accurate TC ins and outs?
- Are key B-roll shots indicated (TC)?
- Will there be support staff to assist in finding missing media or to search through a tape or file?
 
Exporting/laying off
 
- How much color correction will be needed?
- What do you expect the editor to finish? The offline? The on-line? Layoffs/publishing?
- Who will be laying off to tape or publishing to DVD (or the web)?
- Deliverables:   How many versions of the project will be needed? (16:9?  4:3?  Text-less?  Mix-minus?)
- Does the edit project need to be archived?
 
SOME SESSION-BUSTERS: WHAT CAN ADD STRESS and/or TIME TO AN EDIT SESSION: - Not knowing where media is. “It (the shot) is somewhere on tape 6”. “The GRFX are somewhere on these discs.” Please show the editor exactly where they are, and confirm that they are the correct ones. - Asking the editor to pick SU or VO takes by him/herself. You are asking the editor to take on the responsibility of the producer, and this situation can become awkward unless trust has been firmly established and acknowledged. - Digitizing during a session; there is a rhythm to a session and this can break it. - Rewrites. NOTE that it is ALWAYS the producer’s prerogative to change anything in a piece. However, when you’re on version 12 and it’s just to change a word, this could be a case of “diminishing returns”.
 
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