ABSTRACT
Without the editor there is no program. There is only a pile of tapes or disk drives. The editor creates the meaning of a program. The same raw footage can be cut together as comedy or tragedy depending on what the editor chooses to include and the timing and order of assembly. When people talk about films and video production they often talk about the wonderful acting, directing, writing, and camera work. The audience is less likely to discuss the editing. This is because successful editing is often invisible. Good editing allows other artists to shine. The editor is the unsung hero of the production process. Sitting in the dark, often alone, for days and weeks on end, poring over the material, the editor emerges with a unified work of art. In this chapter we explore the creative and technical processes of motion-picture editing. The goals of this chapter are to:
Explore the theoretical foundations for editorial decisions; Gain an understanding of the universal features of computer-based video editing systems; Survey historical developments in editing techniques; Provide a skill base to build your first visual program in postproduction.
