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Different
Forms of Layoff for Stages of Editing
From the Earliest Stages to that Final Output
by Daniel Gaucher
In the world of the professional offline editor, you are often
coddled by the post supervisor and protected from the horrible
monster known as �deliverables.� Whether working with a producer
or for a client, there are several fine cut stages, wherein many
eyes watch your edit and comments are handed back for further
improvements. Your expertise lies in creating a story with rhythm,
flow and emotion. You have mastered the rollercoaster of conflict
and resolution using dialogue, action and music as your building
blocks.
However, when all�s said and done, you still have to get that
piece of gold out of the machine and to waiting hands for review,
broadcast or screening. In the past, you may have had the luxury
of finishing your part, and then, sending your sequence to an
online editor, someone whose expertise lay in uprez, color correction
and the myriad of mastering formats. These days, the �one man
band� mentality has quickly marched forward, overtaking not only
the independent producer, but a lot of unprepared professionals
also.
The modern editor is expected to have a broad range of knowledge
which has come to include graphics, effects, soundmix and Gaucheronline.
After over a decade of editing in Hollywood, it was only within
the past three years that I was called upon to do my own color-correcting.
Learning to read scopes, adjust gamma and achieve perfect skin
tone would fill an article unto itself. Suffice to say, it is
a fantastic skill to learn, and invaluable in making your piece
look as professional as possible, even at a fine cut stage. Even
more recently, the world of HD mastering knocked on my door and
finally had to face the �one man band� tune.
Following are some of the different forms of layoff for the different
stages of editing. Check with your client to make sure these are
acceptable for their viewing. When you reach the final stages
of layoff, your client will most likely have a set of printed
�deliverables� which must be met to the letter. This list goes
from the earliest stages to that final output.
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