Top 3 Editing Tips from Mark Bone & Lewis Gordon

Intro

Jump into the world of film editing with Mark Bone and Lewis Gordon, filmmakers celebrated for their emotionally rich and intricately nuanced work. In this article, we're not just discussing traditional editing techniques, but also how the integration of Musicbed elevates the process. We'll unravel Lewis's top three editing tips which go beyond mere cutting and splicing of footage. His approach, enhanced by the dynamic use of Musicbed, is about crafting enthralling visual narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a cinema enthusiast, these insights, enriched with the artistic flair of Musicbed, promise to broaden your scope and deepen your understanding of film editing. This is not just an exploration of technical skills, but an invitation to view film editing as an art form that intertwines emotion, rhythm, and storytelling.

Tip 1 - Don't Use Everything

Less Is More

The first core principle of editing, according to Lewis, is the art of selection. As an editor, it's crucial to understand that not all footage needs to make it to the final cut. The essence here is to convey the narrative in the most succinct and effective way possible.

For instance, if you have multiple angles of a character entering a house, you don't need to show them all. Select the one or two shots that best convey the action. It's about quality over quantity. The aim is to tell your story with the minimum footage required unless repetition or monotony is a deliberate part of your narrative.

“Just because you have it doesn’t mean you need to use it in the edit. ... Your job as the editor is to only offer the audience what they need to know in the shortest time possible.”

Tip 2 - Edit For What is Felt, Not Always Seen

Emotion Through Editing

The second tip revolves around the emotional impact of your edit. Here, the focus is on connecting with the audience on an emotional level. This can be achieved through pacing, color, and, most importantly, music.

“Music is what's felt rather than seen.”

Music can significantly alter the mood of a scene. For example, a scene with EDM music can make an environment feel lively, while the same scene with a melancholic piano score can convey loneliness or introspection. This tip emphasizes the importance of sound design in editing, where music and audio cues play a vital role in shaping the emotional tone of your film.

Tip 3 - Know Your Ending + Structure

The Roadmap of Editing

The final tip is about understanding your film's structure - knowing your beginning, middle, and end before diving into the editing process. This involves mapping out your narrative, sometimes using tangible methods like cue cards or Post-its. This process helps in visualizing the story and provides a clear roadmap for your editing journey.

"I'll get some cue cards, I'll get some Post-its, and just try to think of where to play scenes, and what that does is it'll give you a place to start and it'll help you visualize ahead of time.”

An organized approach to your footage, with a clear understanding of where your story is headed, can significantly streamline the editing process. It also ensures that every scene and transition contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative.

Bonus Tips

Additional Insights

While the above tips are foundational, here are a couple of extra insights from observing Lewis at work:

1. Watch All Your Footage: This may seem time-consuming, but it's essential. It allows you to discover unexpected moments of gold that can elevate your film.
2. Start with the Voice: Focus first on your interviews or narrative audio. This forms the backbone of your story, around which you can weave your visual elements.

Conclusion

These editing tips from Mark and Lewis offer a glimpse into the nuanced and thoughtful process of crafting a compelling visual story. Remember, editing is not just about arranging clips; it's about conveying a narrative, evoking emotions, and guiding your audience through a journey.

This post is based on insights from Mark Bone's insightful video. For a deeper exploration into his editing philosophy and the impact of Musicbed, watch the original video to learn more.

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