May 26, 2012

What I’ve Learned as a Moviemaker

by Tim Squyres | Published February 3, 2007

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

On Knowing Your Role

When you're the editor, you're not the director. You didn't conceive or shoot the film. When the footage for a scene arrives, try to forget every notion you had about what the scene was supposed to be like and take all your cues from the film that was actually shot. There will be time later to try to push the scene in some other direction, but it's important for me to not have a plan, and to simply find the scene in the footage.

On Acting Advice

If you want more screen time during other people's lines, don't just look at them. Look away and look back. That's what the editor will use, because it makes a cut feel motivated—even if it's not.

On Art Versus Science

Filmmaking is not a science, and there's no formula to follow to get you through the thousands of little decisions involved in editing a scene. Trust your instincts.

On Art Versus Technology

One of the curious things about editing is that a lot of us come into it from the technical side, and then have to become something like artists. This really struck me on Sense and Sensibility. I was getting these stupendous performances from some of the best actors in the world, and not only was I allowed to pass judgement on them, that was my job. I, with virtually no acting experience, was required to say that a given take of Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet wasn't really very good. As an editor you have to become an authority on all the things that wind up on film.

On Audience Forgiveness and Great Film Moments

If an actor gives you a moment that's really striking or wonderful, you have to try to use it. It doesn't matter if the resulting cut will be terrible; people go to the movies for those great moments, and nobody will care if the head turn doesn't match.