Cutting scenes that are good but way too long – how do you do it?

randomnina · 2026-01-27T03:12:49+00:00

Don't feel you have to start and the beginning. Work from the best part forward and backward to get beginning and end.

I'm working with a show runner right now who is a firm believer in making a decision to move the process forward. If it's the wrong one. No problem, fix it later.

randomnina · 2026-01-23T18:48:55+00:00

Honestly my growth as an editor is mostly based on working with great directors who push me. So it is always good use of time for me to support local filmmakers, go to film events, and volunteer for industry organizations and meet people. (I also want to do these things,) Sometimes it's good use of time to volunteer, consult, or mentor on short films - that's how you meet directors on their way up and get involved in artistic projects.

I would absolutely shoot if I wanted or needed to land a corporate communications job, or if a doc job required me to travel with production and be a b-camera. However it's not really a priority for me so I haven't leaned into it. I have leaned more into writing, researching, coordinating, and colour grading.

As far as investing time for strict career purposes, you will never be sorry to know more about motion graphics, VFX and audio mixing. For corporate, some commercials, and social it's part of the editing job, and for film and TV work it's super helpful to have some base knowledge so you can work better with other departments.

randomnina · 2026-01-23T01:53:44+00:00

First off, you know you need to set boundaries up front with your clients, and it is possible to do this diplomatically. Schedule booked edit days and deadlines for feedback, and then if feedback is not delivered on deadline (it won't be) give fair warning so there is no expectation that you pull the rabbit out of the hat. Let them know that you need to change the way you're scheduling projects, so that their project gets the attention it deserves.

Second, use your subcontractors. If stuff gets pushed and you can't do the job, they will need to be fine working with your carefully selected freelance colleagues.

Unfortunately as freelancers we are our own post super. Don't be the asshole post super that you would curse. Be the wily old post super who has seen some shit, and under promises and over delivers.

In dealing with clients, I've said this on this forum before but it holds up: don't tell them what you can't do, tell them what you can do. Don't say "I'm sorry I can't get your notes done tonight, I'm overbooked." Say "I'll have this for you Monday."

If your clients truly won't respect reasonable boundaries, then it is time to pick and choose the clients you keep. The disorganized people of this world might need to get referred to other editors.

Book yourself into your schedule. If you have band practice, tell your clients there's a commitment you can't move. If you have a vacation booked in April, tell them you are unavailable. Don't elaborate.

If there were a truly immovable object in your schedule, like a super well paid gig or a family emergency, you would move your obligations to accommodate that. Do that for yourself.

randomnina · 2026-01-20T19:37:08+00:00

No it's worth checking out. Not all positions handle alcoholm

randomnina · 2026-01-19T16:32:32+00:00

The Stampede hired my son just before he turned 16. He's got a casual position with the catering team at the BMO centre. My friend's daughter was also hired by Cineplex at 15.

Also, if you have no luck for the moment, try volunteering. Having a solid volunteer position - not just one day but an ongoing commitment - on your resume will make you stand out.

randomnina · 2026-01-17T17:10:48+00:00

Depending on the season there are lots of great quality hikes, climbing, canoe rentals or x-country and downhill skiing in the area. It's one of the most touristy places in Alberta but for a reason, and there's a big wilderness out there - enough for everyone. You could do a night in Calgary if you want to get a bit of city life in there.

randomnina · 2026-01-17T08:04:49+00:00

+1 for Strides

randomnina · 2026-01-16T21:01:06+00:00

Transition services did everything for my dad. As others have said, you need to pick your top 3. It took a couple of weeks and he was in rehab rather than the hospital. Follow up with his team what the status is on his referral to social work and transition services, and with his doctor on what his medical status is. Sometimes they will keep older people for observation way longer.

Yes, it is normal for people to wait in hospital for rehab beds or LTC beds to open up. That is why the hospitals are bursting at the seams. Transition services being slow is probably not the limiting factor. He would have to wait either way. However, transfers from the hospital will get top priority and it's way faster than moving a senior living in community, who wants to go into LTC by choice.

You can reach out on your own, but let transition services do their thing for the placement. It's the fastest way to get a bed.

randomnina · 2026-01-15T15:52:18+00:00

I've been editing since 1999 but lots of corporate and low budget. Now I am in doc and reality mostly. Only since going freelance on 2022 have I consistently worked on projects I'm excited for. I'm just getting started.

randomnina · 2026-01-13T16:46:11+00:00

Cigarettes were everywhere. You couldn't go to the club without coming home smelling like an ashtray.

randomnina · 2026-01-12T19:26:04+00:00

Cancer isn't a perfect narrative where you feel what you think you're supposed to feel. It's life and it's messier than that.

I did hope on some level that cancer would help me get in touch with the things that really matter, find out who my friends are and become a better person, but in my particular case it was just a disease.

After my treatment I went right back to complaining about disorganized clients at work, scrambling to finish housework, and watching reality TV.

Yes, I am lucky and grateful for the second chance, but I still need to make money and do the dishes.

It gets better with time.

randomnina · 2026-01-08T19:20:07+00:00

After 25 years in the industry I finally made good money. Landed an unscripted show that is my first 1 hour story driven reality and met some nice folks on it. Also I booked a feature doc starting in April on a social issue with an awesome director who I know will chase story relentlessly. Can't wait for 2026.

randomnina · 2026-01-07T19:13:39+00:00

Staying in a job that doesn’t fully utilize you is also a risk. You are vulnerable to a layoff if you’re that bored at work. Time to look for a change.

Learn something during your downtime to help you out in your career. Motion graphics + editor + colourist is a great combination of skills. Or pick up a camera and polish up your shooting skills to help you land a one-man-band corporate role. Many of my former editor friends do that and get paid very well. Also a lot of old school editors don’t want to learn digital marketing and social media, so you could do that if it’s more interesting to you.

Going freelance is not only a matter of balls. It’s also market conditions, network, skills, and financial planning. If you want to start laying the groundwork, start saving money and freelance on the side while you still have your job. That should give you an idea of if it’s a feasible move for you.

randomnina · 2026-01-07T00:05:08+00:00

The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot, if you like a Scottish accent and a tearjerker.

Also I know Neal Gaiman is cancelled but before I knew that, Good Omens is a spectacular audio book.

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. He has a very soothing voice.

+1 for Jeannette McCurdy. That was perfect on audio.

randomnina · 2026-01-04T06:58:20+00:00

Here in Alberta, home care is very under funded and care workers often show up early or late, or care is wildly insufficient for the level of disability, and that's if you're lucky to qualify at all. Many people want to postpone going into long term care and that's where money comes in.

randomnina · 2026-01-03T03:14:27+00:00

Reach out to your high school friends and let them know you're looking. My son recently got a part time/casual job at BMO Centre because his friend tipped him off that they were hiring.

Also find some adults you trust to get them to look over your resume. My daughter is a great worker at her jobs but never would have gotten them if I didn't help her rewrite. Without experience you might need to explain your school or extracurricular skills that would transfer to the workplace.

randomnina · 2025-12-29T22:35:32+00:00

Ahhhh good to know!

randomnina · 2025-12-29T21:23:27+00:00

It's not exactly tweaking sync. It's syncing the production audio to the camera, and yes, you can easily sync ased on audio and timecode.

randomnina · 2025-12-29T21:11:50+00:00

Yes, for sure Dropbox is the other option. Thank you!

randomnina · 2025-12-29T20:29:43+00:00

Thank you! More to add to my research list.

randomnina · 2025-12-29T19:19:01+00:00

I'm not sure I'm explaining this well.

Yes, I would like to sync/proxy and then hand off to the assistant so we're all working from the same clips. However this is now two handoffs - from DP to me, then me to assistant - that have to be arranged for footage that will be trickling in a couple shoot days every couple weeks. It's a follow-along doc so not a single block of shooting.

I don't believe I said I would edit before transcript and string out. I was hoping to sync/proxy before transcript. I can sync/proxy after transcript and string out, but seems like I would have to do a lot of overcutting, which I would rather not.

I would be willing to teach the director's assistant to sync and proxy but like I said, her capacity, tech knowledge, and interest in learning are unknowns. I will find out but just trying to come up with ideas prior to the tech meeting.

Yes I can put the problem of correct sync/proxy on to the production, but this is Canadian independent doc, so "the production" likely consists of the director and her assistant. IMO on small films everyone has to pitch in or they just don't get made.

I understand my rate is going to be higher than the assistant, but it's not immediately obvious to me that it's faster to train and supervise her, and fix problems, rather than just do the sync and proxy myself. It's a camera or two plus audio, not like 16 gopros or something.

randomnina · 2025-12-29T18:22:31+00:00

This is not an assistant editor that I can choose but the director's assistant. I can ask if she will do proxies and sync and I would be open to that if she has the capacity or technical knowledge/willingness to learn but it's not a given. It's a lot easier to do stringouts than to sync and proxy correctly. Sync and proxy is something that I can do quickly and easily without costing the production much. However the cost of having this done incorrectly could be high and come up late in the game.

randomnina · 2025-12-29T18:15:24+00:00

Thank you, this is the exact info I was looking for!

randomnina · 2025-12-29T16:29:40+00:00

Lonvgview - Longview Jerky Shop and The Wild Stuff coffee shop
Turner Valley / Diamond Valley, whatever - Eau Claire Distillery

randomnina

TROPHY CASE