The Job of Cutting

The editor is responsible for the film from the time the processed camera original is printed to the time the final edited version of the film is shown to an audience. He combines artistry and technique and gives the film a definite pace. His job starts when the film has been shot and processed. Few films are shot in the order in which scenes occur in the finished film and many scenes are photographed more than once, so the editor’s first job is to sort out the right scenes and the best takes and assemble them in script order. He then fine cuts the assembly, cutting from scene to scene at the most advantageous points. When the film is completed audiences will hear only one sound track but in the cutting room a number of different tracks must be prepared – for music, dialogue and sound effects. The tracks must all be cut to match the edited version of the picture. They can then be mixed together in a dubbing theatre to make the final composite track audiences will hear on the finished film.

Importance of cutting

Cutting is one of the most important parts of the whole film making process. If a film has been well shot all the efforts of the camera team can be wasted if the editor puts the scenes together inefficiently. On the other hand, a film shot adequately but without any particular distinction can often be improved by skilful cutting.

What do you cut?

When the film is shot, film exposed in the camera is sent each day to a laboratory for processing. The laboratory processes the original film and makes a rush print: a copy for cutting purposes. In the U.S.A. these first prints are known as ‘dailies’. Elsewhere the term ‘rushes’ is more widely used. The camera original remains uncut until the final shape and form of each sequence has been determined. Then you can match the camera original to the work print. You can then make further copies from the matched original – copies which will be free of the dirt, scratches and joins found in the cutting copy.

WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS

Cutting programme
Shoot (A). Process the original film and make a copy for cutting (B). Assemble (C) then fine cut (D). Separate soundtracks of narration (E) Music (F) and sound effects (G) can then be recorded on perforated magnetic film. Cut the tracks to match the picture (H). Mix the tracks together (dub) (J). Rerecord the final mix soundtrack as an optical sound negative (K). Match the uncut original to the edited cutting copy (L). Print the original with the sound neg to make comopt sound prints ready for showing (M).