JJ Lask is a creative editor with PS260 (www.ps260.com), which has studios in both New York City and Venice, CA. His list of credits includes work for M&Ms, NY Lottery, Yahoo, American Greetings, and UPS to name just a few. Each month throughout 2018, Lask will deliver ‘5 Rules’ that editors might consider for both practical purposes and inspiration.
Here are Rules 21-25:
Rule 21 - Cookies
Always watch every single frame of the dailies. Leave no frame unwatched. Never fast forward or watch in double speed. Watch every frame. When you have reached a substantial point in the footage, reward yourself with a cookie. Then set your next goal point, and again, reward yourself with a cookie.
Rule 22 - Thunder Doesn’t Always Happen When It’s Raining
Sound effects are an editor’s best friend. A certain sound effect will make the footage richer. An obscure sound effect will give your cut depth. I have around ten abstract sound effects that I use in every cut. I always throw my helicopter sound effect in there to see if it works, and it always does. Tip: slow down your sound effects 20 percent.
Rule 23 - Snap Your Finger
Always cut out of a scene early. It leaves them wanting more.
Rule 24 - Snap Your Finger - Part Two
Always cut out of a scene a bit too late. It leaves them with more emotion.
Rule 25 - Deft Juxtaposition
Putting seemly unrelated elements together is an enigmatic, innovative technique. Most of the time, personally, I stumble across this by mistake. These mistakes have produced my most memorable edits. Sometimes logic should be tossed into the trash can.
Check out JJ's past postings: