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EDITING LESSONS

CRASH COURSE

Over the course of 7 days (1 hr per day) we will explore the basics of video editing on either Davinci Resolve or Premier Pro, based on your preference. Each day will have a new focus with more advanced techniques to prepare you for basic editing skills for future projects. 

  • Day 1- Video Essentials: Start from scratch and learn aspect ratios, resolution types, frame rates, and formatting.

  • Day 2- Timelines: Focus on how to import certain clips, set up bins, and organize a timeline.

  • Day 3- Customization: Dive deeper into software settings, workspace styles, and basic effects and color correction.

  • Day 4- Trouble Shooting: Explore common editing mistakes made by amateurs, learning how to solve software errors and converting different codecs.

  • Day 5- Efficient Techniques: Develop shortcuts to cut time in half, demonstrating different ways to sync audio and implement music along with other assets such as plug ins, pictures and other file types.

  • Day 6- Hands On: Experience editing a 30 second commercial (footage provided) with my assistance and feedback always available if needed. This reel will be usable for your reel.

  • Day 7-Portfolio Building and Navigating Fair Use: Wrap up the crash course with a portfolio design guide along with tips on where to collect content, how to safely download, and how to avoid copyright strikes. 

Zoom- $700

In Person- $800

SCENE CONSTRUCTION IN FILM

Over the course of 5 days (1 hr per day) we will navigate the construction of quality and engaging scene building from the ground up. Become an intuitive editor that can master any concept to achieve the intended reactions from viewers and grasp your audience emotionally. 

  • Day 1- Prep: Set yourself up for success by learning how to organize the contents of a film for easy navigation along with implementing security in cases of malfunction and data loss.

  • Day 2- Coordination: Learn communication skills for working with different directors from all experience levels and personality types. Practice working through simulated scenarios where the director wasn't prepared or sent you files with missing footage.

  • Day 3- Guidelines: Study the rules of post filmmaking and explore the subtle errors that can change the entire presentation of a film/video.

  • Day 4- Execution: Test your new skills by editing a scene to add to your portfolio. 

  • Day 5- Review: Critique your work with me and learn your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to scene building. Together, we will develop a plan to improve your skills in your own time and find the genre that suits you best.

Zoom- $500

In Person- $600
STORY BUILDING IN MARKETING

This course can be tailored to your niche or be based on a broader spectrum of styles if you're still discovering your forte.​

Over the course of 5 hours we will discuss the dynamics of the following topics. As this course is a more abstract layout tailored to your interests, this can be done throughout the week or in one sitting.

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  • AV scripting and commercial writing

  • Distinguishing your style from mass produced reels or low effort social media content 

  • How to convert the same footage into various genres using pacing techniques and tonal image selection

  • Fonts and color schemes to avoid

  • Client consultations and communication

  • Music selection and tasteful effect usage

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Zoom- $500

In Person- $600
 POST "DIRECTING" FOR NARRATIVE EDITORS

Being a film editor is like being the post production director. If your director trusts your judgement, then the interpretation of the story is entirely in your hands...but how do you make sure you're emulating the message of the story and keeping the audience indulged in not just the plot but also the characters? 

I'm told constantly by my film clients that I mastered their vision of not just the film itself, but how the characters are represented. Over and over again I see the same common problem in film festivals where the projects are shot beautifully, but the editing does not pertain to the intent of the dialogue. An example would be a scene from a drama film, where a tough character is having their first breakdown and finally pours their heart out monologue style. We haven't seen this character be emotional throughout the entirety of the film, yet the editor is cutting back and forth to the reactions of the surrounding characters, which can be jarring and takes away from all the attention that should be turned on the monologue. The editor is following the 10 second rule, where the audience is supposed to be bored by then and it should be time for a cut...but this does not always apply. We should only apply that after the first ten seconds, then apply it generously only cutting back to relevant character's expressions when the speaker mentions something related to them that causes an expression change. Now visualize this in a comedic scenario, the character is monologuing rather melodramatically about a very tense and emotional topic, but no one seems to be reacting. Their faces are rather deadpan. We would wait till the end of the monologue maybe intensifying the music before cutting it off abruptly and elevate the other character's looks of indifference to elevate the awkward and unnecessary drama of the monologue.

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Conquer your craft at narrative storytelling and learn how to use less of the script itself and more of the characters to unlock your authentic creativity. Learn how to eliminate boring parts of a script that may throw off the pacing and don't add to the story.

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Over the course of 5 hours we will discuss the dynamics of the following topics. As this course is a more abstract layout tailored to your interests, this can be done throughout the week or in one sitting.

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  • Character Analysis

  • Scene Evaluation 

  • Dialogue Elimination

  • Tonal Shifts

  • Editing Scenes With Bad Acting and How To Hide Imperfections

  • Character Development and Assigning Certain Aspects Such As Music and Color to Depict Them Individually From Other Characters

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Zoom- $500

In Person- $600
YOU CHOOSE

Don't fit into any of these boxes? Maybe you have something more specific you're curious about or have a situation you need assistance with correcting such as a botched film that seems impossible to edit. Then book an hour with me to tackle whatever you've got on your mind.

 

Just a side note, a video/film editor is different from a special effects artist or graphic designer/animator. While we know basic skills such as credit creation, masking, and generic animation of key frames, most of us do not specialize in advanced CGI or special effects. 

Zoom- $75 HR

In Person- $100 HR
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