1st Edition
Art of the Cut Conversations with Film and TV Editors, Volume II
This is the second volume of the widely acclaimed Art of the Cut book published in 2017. This follow-up text expands on its predecessor with wisdom from more than 360 interviews with the world’s best editors (including nearly every Oscar winner from the last 30 years).
Because editing is a highly subjective art form, and one that is critical to the success of motion picture storytelling, it requires side-by-side comparisons of the many techniques and solutions used by a wide range of editors from around the world. That is why this book compares and contrasts methodologies from a wide array of diverse voices and organizes that information so that it is easily digested and understood.
There is no one way to approach editorial problems, so this book allows readers to see multiple solutions from multiple editors. The interviews contained within are carefully curated into topics that are most important to film editors and those who aspire to become film editors. The questions asked, and the organization of the book, are not merely an academic or theoretical view of the art of editing but rather the practical advice and methodologies of actual working film and TV editors, bringing benefits to both students and professional readers.
The book is a supplemented by a collection of downloadable online exclusive chapters, which cover additional topics ranging from Choosing the Project to VFX. In addition to the supplementary chapters, access to the full-color, full-resolution images printed in the book—and other exclusive images—is included.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Section 1: Preparation
Chapter 1 – Organization
Chapter 2 – Watching Dailies
Section 2: Creative – Micro-level editing decisions
Chapter 3 – Approach to a Scene
Chapter 4 – Performance
Chapter 5 – Coverage/Shot Size
Chapter 6 – Reaction Shots
Chapter 7 – Subtext
Chapter 8 – Pace and Rhythm
Chapter 9 – Music
Chapter 10 – Sound
Chapter 11 – Transitions
Chapter 12 – Time Jumps, Flashbacks
Chapter 13 – Miscellaneous Wisdom
Section 3: Creative – Macro-level editing decisions
Chapter 14 – Storytelling
Chapter 15 – Structure
Chapter 16 – Assembling Scenes
Chapter 17 – Editors Cut
Chapter 18 – Process
Chapter 19 – Intercutting
Chapter 20 – Judging Editing
Section 4: Social
Chapter 21 – Background Employment/Breaking In
Chapter 22 – Landing the Gig
Chapter 23 – Collaborating with the Director
Chapter 24 – Dealing with Notes
Chapter 25 – Ego
Chapter 26 – Assistant Editors and Post Team
Mini Biographies
Biography
Steve Hullfish, ACE, has been editing professionally since 1984. He has edited theatrical feature films, (including Courageous, War Room, and Overcomer), TV series (including The Oprah Winfrey Show), and documentaries. He is the author of six other books on editing and post-production. He has taught editing to students and professionals all over the world, and his books have been translated into numerous languages. His work has also been published in post-production trade journals worldwide.
"Steve Hullfish continues his ground-breaking topic-oriented format, creating a virtual conversation/argument /debate among the 263 editors he has interviewed over the last ten years, probing 26 subjects such as Ego, Subtext, Music, Performance, Pacing, Preparation, etc. These topics are then gathered into what Hullfish correctly identifies as the three essential river-systems that nourish our work: the technical, the creative, and the social — each one as crucial as the others. Highest recommendation."
Walter Murch , ACE (Oscar-winning editor of Apocolypse Now)
“In ART OF THE CUT, Steve amasses such an arsenal of advice, it reminds me of something I was lucky enough to experience as an assistant: a corridor of benevolent editors, sharing wisdom borne of decades.”
Joe Walker, ACE (Oscar-winning editor of Dune, Bladerunner 2049, Arrival)
“A beautifully curated, very thorough look at the art and process of film editing. It was enlightening to see how my colleagues - editors and assistants at the top of their game - work through the daily challenges and discover creative solutions to telling cinematic stories. I learned a lot.”
Eddie Hamilton, ACE (editor of Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, and The Kingsman: Secret Service)
“Steve Hullfish, ACE connects with his subjects in a way that only a fellow film editor can and digs into their timelines, stories and convictions. All those who appreciate the art and science of film editing will cherish this book."
Tom Cross, ACE (Oscar-winning editor, films include Whiplash, La La Land and No Time to Die)
