Heading into post always seems a bit overwhelming to me, to say the least. In production we create the rough pieces to mold into a final work of cinema as we go through post. But even then we have many more pieces to create and put together; music, visual effects, sound effects, etc. Our work really is just beginning, since obviously this is the longest phase of the process.

I guess I should repeat the cliché that I have heard over and over; that there are actually three films you make, the one you write, the one you shoot, and the one you cut. Well, now is the time for the cutting to begin. And it will be within the edit that we find our real and final film, the one that you the audience gets to see and experience. I feel very lucky to be involved in all three of these parts.

Having written the script over twenty-five years ago, and then finally seeing it going into production earlier this year with me at the director’s helm was very gratifying. And something I don’t take lightly, as now I need to bring it home in going through this final phase.

They say a director should never edit his/her own film(s). I think that is probably very wise advice. It is so easy to get attached to and enamored with all the work you have done before, especially if you are the writer/director. It can be difficult to get the distance you need to see the pieces you have to work with. I totally understand that. However …

Once I was in the director’s chair, so to speak, the writing I had spent so many hours in over the years had to go on the back burner. And in some scenes, it actually had to be burned (changed). As the director, what actually worked and didn’t had to take precedence in that moment. So, letting go has become an action I am quite familiar with and used to by now.

As far as the editing part, I do not intend to take it through the final edit, but I do intend to create a rough edit myself. I know what I want this film to do, and if I have to cut out or significantly trim down any scene or sequence, then I will be the one to do it. Post-production tough-love.

I have already been involved in the post phase for a bit now, but not after a fair amount of time away from the footage, so I could create that ‘distance’ I need when viewing, reviewing, and choosing the best takes. I feel I have some good material to work with, and I envision a nice little indie film that is both entertaining and enlightening.

Just one small tidbit on my editing process … I have learned how important pacing within a scene and between scenes within a sequence is. To help with that I have been creating a temp score as I go along, which helps me immensely in bringing that scene to life. This temp score is the type of music I am envisioning in the film, so the score will naturally be very important. And I intend of having more fun will all this as I tread through this ongoing journey of discovery and creation …