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guides for narrative editing
Hello all,
I am a factual entertainment/documentary and corporate video editor who would like to try his hand at narrative and drama in his spare time. Can anyone recommend any good resources for me to read while I wait for my first project to come along?
Anything would be appreciated, including any tips you might care to share yourselves. As well as guides to the storytelling aspect of things, I’m also interested in geeky workflow stuff like how best to setup a timeline for cutting action, or dialogue and using different timeline and trimming techniques for making adjustments etc.. because I can see that one would need to approach the job quite differently from cutting standard interview/broll stuff or observation documentary stuff.
Thanks in advance,
Chris -
5 Replies
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Why wait? Start a project of your own.
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Mainly because I don’t have much experience producing, directing or shooting. A little, but not much. I’m a busy freelancer who just wants to dip his toe into narrative. I’m in no hurry to produce my own movie just now. I’d rather work with, and learn from more experienced people.
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It’s a beast of time hog. The only thing to get you through it is your passion for the story.
I suggest finding a screenplay of your favorite movie and read it.
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Any book by Walter Murch…he has two. He is one of the few editors who writes.
https://www.amazon.com/Blink-Eye-Revised-2nd/dp/1879505622
https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Walter-Murch-Editing-Film/dp/0375709827/ref=pd_sim_b_5Another option…
https://www.amazon.com/Technique-Film-Video-Editing-Fifth/dp/0240813979/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_bWatch movies…lots and lots of movies.
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
The Murch books above are great. Really any book about editing may be useful.
Personally, I never got much out of the books besides inspiration (a lot of it!). I recommend watching a lot of films. Find scenes that you really enjoy, watch them over and over again, turn off the sound and watch just the cuts, etc. Also, reading a lot of literature, screenplays and short stories will help you form a good understanding of storytelling.
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