Cut by cut

408 Pages·39.651 MB·English

by  Chandler, Gael

MACEW,

1004252969
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2018 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation
https://archive.org/details/cutbycuteditingyOOOOchan
“This is the most insightful treatment of production I've read because it is told from the
editor's viewpoint. Ms. Chandler knows how to bring the editor's “nightmares" alive in a
way that reveals the best and worst of methods for the camera and sound crews. I wish this
book had been available and assigned to me when I started shooting my first project in a
video production course."
— Roberta Gilman, independent filmmaker, Hozho: Gifts of Beauty and Pray for Winslow
(working title), Lecturer in Linguistics/ESL, UCSB
"When Gael was my editor she produced a beautiful cut and finished film, inspired the
outcome, and taught me the hows and whys of postproduction. Now she shares her knowl¬
edge in a book that exposes readers to the intricacies of editing. Cut by Cut covers all areas
of postproduction and helps directors, producers, and editors make informed decisions to
complete this crucial stage of creation. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants
to hear how it's done from a highly professional, experienced, and enlightened editor."
— Martha Wheelock, President, Ishtar Films, Director at A.F.I.'s Directing Workshop for
Women
“Whether you're a seasoned professional or just getting started, Gael Chandler's book will
serve as a comprehensive guide through the postproduction process. This book is a must
read for anyone facing the challenge of editing their own film or video project. Cut by Cut:
Editing Your Film or Video is truly the A to Z of “how to" manuals on editing."
— Jay Scherberth, A.C.E., Friends, Scrubs, Real World, Columbo, and many others
“Gael Chandler's Cut by Cut is a book that has been too long in coming. In one volume, we not
only learn how editing is accomplished, but also see how editors apply theory when making cuts.
It is a book that will prove invaluable to students just starting out as well as professionals who
feel they need a refresher course in this ever-changing industry. I would heartily recommend it to
any of my students interested in pursuing a career in postproduction."
— Dan Watanabe, Vice President of Development, CRC Entertainment, Instructor, Los
Angeles Valley College
"Ms. Chandler brings her considerable editorial and educational experience to this impor¬
tant reference text of postproduction tools and design. From the reader it encourages
sophisticated questioning, and informed, creative application. Above all, it provides a base
for both the working professional and student reader to continue to grow within the ever-
evolving process that is postproduction."
— Lori Motyer, Coproducer/Postproduction, current project, Crossing Jordan, NBC
"Gael Chandler's book is must reading for every student of editing. It is written in an under¬
standable manner without sacrificing content. Finally we have a comprehensive text on the
subject. It is what God and DeMille intended."
— Jack Tucker, A.C.E., editor and teacher, CSULB, UCLA, CSUN
Cut By Cut incorporates everything from breaking down footage to making prints so that
the entire postproduction process is explained. The book provides a tremendous amount of
information along with clear explanations of the current standards in a technology-driven
medium. This book is recommended for anyone with an interest in editing or postproduc¬
tion, or anyone who will be finishing a shot project and needs a clear understanding of what
the next steps will be.
— Ross Otter man, Directed By Magazine
"Gael Chandler has done a wonderful thing — she has made sense of the often-bewildering
landscape of the current postproduction scene. Not only has she accomplished this, but
she has done it while providing substantial insight into both creative decision-making in
the editing room and that most crucial but often unrecognized aspect — keeping a project
organized in all phases of postproduction."
— Bruce Mamer, Author of Digital Editing with Final Cut Pro 4
New and experienced filmmakers and videographers alike will greatly benefit from reading
Ms. Chandler's comprehensive editing handbook. Written from the editor's POV, Cut by Cut
is beautifully and cleverly organized as a ready reference for all stages of production and
postproduction. This book is a must for anyone who aspires to be a complete filmmaker or
videographer.
— Glenn Farr, Editor, Academy Award for The Right Stuff
Cut by Cut is the best book on the subject of postproduction/editing I have read. Gael has
organized and presented mountains of information on a complex subject in a straight¬
forward, easy-to-comprehend format. I was lucky to have Gael for my editor on my first
television series directing assignment. It was a wonderful learning experience. As a writer
she approaches communicating her vast knowledge of the subject in the same way she
approaches the job of editing itself: methodically, with great attention to detail. Anyone
interested in the process of filmmaking, be they a film student, working member of the film
community, or someone interested in pursuing a career in postproduction, should take
advantage of the knowledge found within Cut by Cut.
— Tony Dow, Actor/Director, Coach, Babylon 5, and others
I
Cut by Cut:
Editing Your
Film or Video
BY
GAEL CHANDLER
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
11288 Ventura Boulevard
Suite #621
Studio City, CA 91604
[phone], [phone] (FAX).
[email protected]
www.mwp.com
Cover design by MWP
Interior design by William Morosi
Copyedited by Bob Somerville
Printed by Sheridan Books, Chelsea, Michigan
Manufactured in the United States of America
Copyright 2004 Gael Chandler
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission
in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chandler, Gael, 1951-
Cut by cut: editing your film or video / Gael Chandler,
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-941188-99-X
1. Motion pictures-Editing. 2. Video tapes-Editing. I. Title.
TR899.C45 2004
778.5'235—dc22
2004012794
To Sherry
If editors are behind the scenes,
then she was behind me all the way.
ft