Film Editors Do Not Decide Where to Cut
The idea that editors choose their cuts freely is one of the most persistent myths in filmmaking. Here is what actually drives those decisions.
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Annual Digest
Film Editing
Film Editing
Essentials
A curated collection of articles on the craft and technique of film editing — assembled for students working at their own pace.
This year's articles
Which Editing Software You Use Changes Almost Nothing
Beginners agonize over Premiere vs. DaVinci vs. Final Cut. Working editors barely think about it. Here is why the debate is largely pointless.
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Invisible Editing Is Not the Goal Most Editors Are Chasing
Film schools teach that great editing goes unnoticed. Plenty of acclaimed editors would disagree, and the films they cut prove it.
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Cutting on Action Is a Guideline That Gets Broken Constantly
Every editing textbook covers cutting on action as a foundational rule. Actual film timelines show something more complicated happening.
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More Footage Does Not Make Editing Easier
Directors who shoot high ratios believe they are giving their editor flexibility. Editors often describe it as the opposite problem.
ReadWhat the digest covers
Editing skills mapped across six core areas
Each article in this digest was assigned to one of six skill dimensions — from pacing and rhythm to colour grading and audio sync. The chart shows the relative depth of coverage across the year.
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5 Articles in this digest
6 Skill areas covered