Film Editing

In many ways the film editor is the most misunderstood of all film professionals. Often considered just a film technician, a good editor is, without doubt, much more than that. He or she is also a qualified storyteller of the highest order. Yes, the film editor assembles all of the footage that the director has shot, but it is his/her job to put it together in a manner that will keep the audience guessing and craving more. It is no wonder that within the film community, a good editor is highly revered, and considered a magician with the power to make or break a film.

For this reason, there are two aspects to the Film Connection Film Editing School: the storytelling aspect and the technical aspect. You will learn both. While you apprentice (extern) one-on-one under a professional editor in a post production facility learning Final Cut Pro, you will also learn storytelling from our structured course curriculum for Producers and Directors.

Please review what you will learn by attending our film editing school with one-on-one instruction. As a Film Connection student, you will do approximately 2 lessons per week for six months, and learn things like:

Saving, hiding, and quitting in Final Cut Pro
How to begin and organize program elements
How to mark clips
How to use the timeline
How to copy, paste, and cut clips on the timeline
Using the overwrite and insert functions
Dragging and dropping
Starting your rough cut
Working with cutaways and insert shots
Cutting to music and narration
Adding sound to your sequence
Applying video and audio to clips
Trimming techniques
How to use Selection, R Ripple, Slip, Roll, and Slide
Adjusting Edit Points
Transitioning to video and audio tracks
How to create subclips from clips
Reconnecting media in Final Cut Pro
Capturing footage using a deck or camera
Changing motion properties
Working with Key Frames
Creating online sequence
Mixing audio
Exporting to Quicktime, Quicktime conversion, exporting to tape

In addition to the technical aspect of editing, you will also learn storytelling. Upon completion of this 6-month program, you will also learn:

Film Geek 101 – Knowing your movies
- Drama
- Comedy
- Romance
- Thriller, Suspense
- Horror
- Sci-Fi/Fantasy
The Screenplay
Story Structure
The Protagonist and Antagonist
Characters
Dialogue
The History of American and World Cinema

Lesson One

In this lesson, you will learn to open, save, hide and quit Final Cut Pro; understand the functions of the program’s interface; how to begin a project and organize basic program elements; and how to change the layout to suit your editing needs.

Lesson Two

In this lesson, you will understand how to play and mark clips. You will learn how to edit your marked clips to the Timeline using the Overwrite and Insert functions as well as the drag-and-drop method. Furthermore, you will learn how to change Timeline parameters and adjust a clip’s audio within the Timeline and Viewer.

Lesson Three

Lesson three focuses on starting your rough cut. You will also learn how to copy, paste and cut clips on the Timeline. In addition, you will work with adding cutaways or insert shots to your sequence with the drag-and-drop and three-point-editing techniques.

Lesson Four

In this lesson, you will continue working on a rough cut and incorporate the techniques of cutting to music and narration. You will cover some of the many uses of Markers to aid the editing process. Finally, you will work with the basics of adding sound to your sequence.

Lesson Five

Lesson five focuses on trimming techniques. You will gain a better understanding on how to use the Selection, Ripple, Slip, Roll and Slide tools to adjust edit points. You will also learn how to add basic transitions to video and audio tracks.

Lesson Six

In this lesson, you will further your command of the program by creating subclips from clips, adding Markers to clips, and using the Replace edit function. You will also learn how to reconnect media in Final Cut Pro.

Lesson Seven

Lesson seven deals with capturing footage using a deck or camera. You will learn how to preview your footage, mark footage for capture, and log clips. You will also learn how to use the three different capturing methods: Capture Clip, Capture Now, and Batch Capture.

Lesson Eight

In this lesson, you will learn the basics of changing some of the motion properties, which includes speed, freezing a frame, and adjusting size and position. You will also cover the uses of Keyframes. Furthermore, you will learn how to apply video and audio filters to clips, copy and paste attributes, and add basic titles to a sequence.

Lesson Nine

In this lesson, you will begin the finishing process of your cut. You will learn how to create an online sequence, mix audio using the mixing layout, and perform basic color correction.

Lesson Ten

In your final lesson, you will cover how to export your cut in a variety of different ways. You will export a QuickTime movie, QuickTime conversion, audio only, and learn how to export to tape.

Success Stories from Our Students

– Gordon Maniskas, Manchester, MA

“The Film Connection gave me the means to pursue screenwriting as a career. I learned from professionals, but I would say, that in their own way, they were teachers because they were trying to elevate you.”

– Catura Jenson, Sandy, UT

“[My mentors] were extremely proud of me and during that time decided to hire me on as a full-time editor. I was really proud of myself too, and was excited to see my name as editor on the documentary. Ian, the editor that I work with, tells me everyday that he has seen my talents in editing grow tremendously and that he is very proud of me. …He constantly reminds me how proud he is of me and how much I have grown as an editor. It makes me so happy to hear that from him!”

– Robert Forteza, Westchester, PA

“I hope to be able to make a sustainable living doing what I love and that is producing videos for various people and clients. I try to keep working on videos by putting up local ads for small business, local groups and bands for various videos I could help them with. This gives me more experience at what I do and allows me to have a presentable portfolio for any future clients. Currently I have already editing some highlight reels for athletes to present to colleges and have some upcoming events to film and edit. I do not plan on slowing down when it comes to learned about this industry and am also currently working on a feature film script, which has always been my dream goal to make.”

– Anthony Puglia, Orangeburg, NY

“After a good amount of time in the studio, I started to notice that I was maturing rapidly—the way I talked, acted and conducted my business. I went home feeling accomplished and happy. Happiness is the most important thing in your life. Almost one year later, I’ve made so many great connections that I’m steadily working in the industry. My lighting skills are getting better and better on every shoot I’ve been on. My whole outlook on directing improves every day. You will never master this industry, but you can sure do great in it! Always keep an open mind, and listen to your fellow workers. Take in as much information as you can and adjust it to your life, and career.”

– Anthony Nocerino, Westminster, CA

“I hope to use the connection that I made with Tom Malloy to get opportunities to work with other professionals. I also am counting on the RRF Connection to help me get my name and information out to the right sources. I am ready to start my career in the industry and possibly join a studio getting regular work.”