[Crystal J. meisner]

Todd – Having read both your advertisement and the posts to it here on COW, I feel you’ve put your desires very plainly out there. Your advertisement is very concise and explicit, and shows to me that you’re wanting to find only the appropriate candidates to apply, and if they’re not willing to follow what you’ve so substantially gone to the effort to explain, then no, they don’t deserve a further look.
For those who do follow your instructions, then my suggestion is this – give them a test. Start with a paper exam that elicits their actual knowledge of editing – the tools and the terms. You’ll find there are those who are knowledgeable and those who try to BS their way along.
Then give them an editing test. A 2-part test in which they do both a ‘do-your-own-thing creatively on the software you know at home’ and an in-house “direction specific” piece. At the end of the paper test, give them the footage for the creative piece to take with them. Give everyone the same footage and give them a deadline to get it back – within a time frame reasonable to what you’d expect them to complete the project in.
Upon reviewing those submissions, and you’ve gotten the field narrowed down to a few top candidates (your choice on how many, but I’d go 2-3), then bring them in to work on your equipment, with a different batch of footage and and “client-specific” instructions. By all means, give a crash course on the Premiere software before they start if they’ve never used it, but this will allow you to get a feel for how quickly they’ll adapt and how they’ll follow those instructions in-house, under time constraints. Then your final choice should be clear.
Now there are those out there who’ll think I’m nuts, but the proof is in the pudding, and I went through a similar type of test for a position once. My educational credentials were minimal, as was my reel, but I kicked the other candidate’s butt in the test and was offered the job on the spot.
It’s just too bad I’m not interested in living in the humidity of the southeast, otherwise I’d be applying for this job myself. You sound like the kind of boss I’d like to have.
Oh, and as to the interview attire – I find casual business is best, because, I’m sorry, but for those with a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ attitude, I’d be leaving it. Show me just once you respect me as a prospective employer enough to “clean up” a little. A polo shirt instead of the Hawaiian, and no flip flops. ‘Grinner’ may think he’s interviewing me, but if I’ve got the money, that puts me in the power position, and I’m interviewing him to see IF I really want him or not. Getting the interview isn’t getting the offer.
Lots of luck finding your editor.

[Crystal J. meisner]

Why use 3 cameras?
1: Wide shot – make sure it’s elevated to shoot over heads when the crowd stands, and it’s placed where no one will bump it. Audio – House feed, ch.1, ambient ch.2
2: Behind the minister/OTS (that’s ‘over-the-shoulder’) – Gets nice shot of Bride & Groom, plus Best Man & M-of Honor, AND parents reaction. Hide it behind flowers or find an inconspicuous spot. Audio – shotgun, ch.1, ambient ch.2
3: Side shot – Shoot the bride – it’s HER day. She spends WAY more in prep than does the groom, and wants it all seen. BE SURE TO LEAD HER DOWN THE AISLE.
Audio – shotgun, ch.1, ambient ch.2
This ensures you’ve got all the shots, plus plenty of audio.
NEVER SKIMP ON ONE-TIME ONLY LIVE EVENTS!!!
SECONDLY – Do you know these people? Are you doing this at a cut rate as a gift? If not, they’ll need to pay your REASONABLE travel expenses: $0.485/mile driven, or rental car costs, hotel for overnight – YES! you DO want to be at rehearsal – and per diem. If they’ve got a hotel for out-of-town guests, have them put you up there. They should also consider having you eat with them at rehearsal dinner, so you can familiarize yourself with them and their guests’ personalities. There’s nothing worse than shooting blind and missing what’s most important to them in terms of people.
Just make sure that what you charge is adequate for your time and expenses.
ABOVE ALL – TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT AND EXPECT – AND DON’T STRESS.