Being an editor means sometimes managing failure as you work towards perfection. The rough cut process (also referred to as the “offline edit”, meaning it does not “go out over the air, online”), by nature, lends itself to trying things that might play well in your head, but somehow just don’t work in real life. [...]

Versioning your edits has to make sense. While churning through editorial ideas, make as many versions as necessary, but above all, stay organized. At the end of the day, keep all of your old “failed” versions in an “NG Edits” folder. This not only reduces clutter but helps when you have to describe to someone [...]

Get back to work! Editing is one those professions where time seems to evaporate. My favorite metaphor for this is when Elmer Fudd has to make Humphrey Bogart a rabbit stew or something in five minutes… or else. Elmer Fudd shudders, turns and looks at the clock, and the hands on the clock are spinning [...]

Who pays for it? If you are a freelancer working at someone’s space, you should assume you will pay for your own meals. Some clients will offer to pay, but don’t assume that they will. If they do, don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu (duh!). In fact, order something that will taste [...]

When you are ready to present your work for the first time (assuming you are working by yourself until then), I advocate making the presentation to the client in person. This encourages an immediate dialog with the viewer, gives you a chance to watch their reactions, and to show other material instantly. You will also [...]