1st Edition

Art of the Cut Conversations with Film and TV Editors, Volume II

By Steve Hullfish Copyright 2025
354 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
by Focal Press

354 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
by Focal Press

354 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
by Focal Press

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,... Read more

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 MurchACE (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 WalkerACE (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 Kingsman: The 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)