how bad is bad?

[eidde]

hi there

Ive almost completed a film that has taken bloody years to complete.
As most of you can probably imagine I know, and have a love hate relationship with, every frame of this film.
Im in the process of doing a final cut - one last sweep to trim and improve all, and just wondered if anyone here has any tips on how to 'remove' yourself from it, so you can get the best final cut possible?
Its impossible to know whether a scene is too long, or too awful, or actually quite good, or nessescary because its taken so long to make and Im too close to it :-)
Any tips on getting some kind of objectivity?

The film is pretty tongue in cheek, but Id also like to think it has its artful moments as well - I know some of you guys have arts degrees, or at least studied the arts - how do I know wether 'artful' or 'tongue in cheek' is just another word for indulgent and crap ;-) ??

I guess the answer to these is to show it to a third party, any other suggestions? What do you guys do?

cheers

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 04, 2006 07:24 AM: Message edited by: eidde ]</font>

[Patriarch]

My unuseful reply is to complete it faster. It wont help you now, but might help you later.

I try this alot with my music. I keep working on the same goddamn peice of music, and just cant complete it. So the best advice is not to reach that point.

When cutting film you have to rely on your intuition (if its proven reliable) or ask someone else as you mention. Another alternative is use an editor other than yourself, although this can be hard. I know for myself that I love editing - its where you shape your film. So generaly cut the film, and then watch it and take note of things that seem to long, wrong, or otherwise out of place. Then fix it. Once you are content ater a few viewing complete it, and dont look back (unless you can make millions off a directors cut [img]biggrin.gif[/img] )

And finaly you can comfort yourself that even hot shit like Peter Jackson still does not master when to cut, and when to move on [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 04, 2006 08:30 AM: Message edited by: Christian Marcussen ]</font>

[eidde]

thanks, yeah thats true.
Finishing something quickly, while the iron is hot, the momentum is there, etc..etc..etc.... definatly something for the future.
Its like running through the woods, rather than getting lost in them.
It may not be perfect but it'll be done, and besides
spending longer on something will probablynot make it perfect either.....;-)

[twister!]

Being objective about your own work can be hard. The best way (and often quoted) to achieve it is through time. Time where you put the film away and don't look at it or even think about it - the longer you leave it the more objective you will be.

If you leave it for a while (maybe a month or two at least) you'll be amazed at how differently you perceive your work. Things will really jump out at you.

Getting opinons from others is also a good technique as they don't have all the associations that you have and will just see it for what it is. You have to keep an open mind and not be defensive. Don't take on board ALL of the comments - everyone's views will vary. Only adress the comments that are common amongst several people.

[Nigel]

Pay a good editor to do whatever they want with it....

Then tak a look at what they have done and see if you like it. All you have to do is let go.

Good Luck

[richard.fisher]

I have in the past left at least 3-4 months between filming ending and beggining editing. If you can still remember just how much work and effort went into getting one lousy shot, you'll be desperate to keep it in at all costs, even if it's redundant. Oh, and listen to people, and if you can, watch them watching the film. If they start to fidget, something's got to go.

[assyrix]

I actually prefer the shooting of the footage to editing it later. Hence I tend to keep the editing session as brief as possible and therefore eliminating a lot of shots no matter what the price or sweat that went into them as I only want to get the damn thing out of my Avid. So far I have not regretted that approach. Should I need more material I usually write some extra scenes into the script and shoot another day instead of bolstering a decent cut with bumfluff.

Setting yourself a deadline as well as letting some time pass between shooting and editing certainly helps. And be cruel - if you feel it's too long (and you do unless you lie to yourself) - cut it.

[eidde]

Hi There

Showed this to a couple of people.
Interestingly enough, their main comments matched stuff I suspected all along. That and a couple of
extra good constructive comments.

Always worth getting a second opinion.

cheers

[Patriarch]

Indeed - good for you.

Anything you can fix? What did they comment on?

[twister!]

And when do we get to see it?