CLASSROOM: 8 Common Editing Mistakes To Avoid1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Film editing is both technical and creative. It dictates how a film is arranged and whether it makes sense to the viewer. It influences tone, perspective, and pace. With so many cinematic elements depending on good editing, it’s clear that when it’s is bad, the entire project suffers.
But how do you avoid bad editing? What do you look for? What are some best practices?
In a recent video, Creative North’s Jonny von Wallström runs through eight common editing mistakes that editors should avoid and how to avoid them.
Cutting too soon
This is a common editing mistake I tend to notice. A character might deliver an important line, and the scene will suddenly cut less than a second after the delivery, almost chopping into the performance. It’s jarring and annoying when scenes aren’t given “air” or time to breathe.
Wallström says this is because editors “don’t trust the story that they’re telling.” He points out that this mistake prevents an audience from living fully in your characters’ world, and stops them from staying with characters in emotional moments.
Not understanding frame rate
Know the difference between frame rates before you ever get started. It will save a lot of time in the end.
Photo Credit: No Film School
