The Art & Technique of Film Editing is the newest course by the MZed educational platform for creators. This intense 8 hours course led by Oscar-winning editor Tom Cross ACE, shows you the methods behind big-league editors in Hollywood. Should you take it?

Film editor = storyteller

I always claim that editing is a professional, meticulous, and pure psychological process. Like many other key methodologies in filmmaking, editing demands discipline, professionalism, and analytic skills for micro details. However, editing demands even more, regarding dedication and complete devotion for storytelling. Being a good editor is far beyond getting familiar with NLEs and their technical muddles. Having a healthy approach to the mission and a good relationship with the director is a must. Furthermore, in some cases, the editor is the storyteller, the director, and the producer simultaneously by having a key role in paving the pathway of the film. For instance, in reality-shows, the editors are the directors as they have the most crucial role in dictating where and how the story develops.

The editor has a vast amount of footage that needs to be watched entirely (and yes… the editor should watch all the footage).

The psychology behind editing

Editing is a constant creative struggle. At the start, the editor has a vast amount of footage that needs to be watched entirely (and yes… the editor should watch all the footage). The rough cut is the most difficult one to achieve (from my perspective as an editor) because there is no way of getting back. Then, the journey for the final cut begins. Although there is a significant difference between editing an independent film compared to Hollywood’s feature, the concept is very much similar, as each of them has its DNB (Do Not Break) point. See the graph below. Generally speaking, DNBs characterize mainly independent productions, since the editor works alone and has his own inner struggle to puzzle out the story.

Generally speaking, DNBs characterize mainly independent productions, since the editor works alone and has his own inner struggle to puzzle out the story.

The Art & Technique of Film Editing by MZed

MZed, the educational platform for creators, wants to show you what’s like to be a Hollywood feature film editor, by going behind the curtain of Hollywood filmmaking with Oscar-winning editor Tom Cross, ACE. In The Art & Technique of Film Editing, Cross demonstrates the practices that are expected of feature-film editors, as well as the processes and methodologies that have made him one of the leading editors working in the industry today. Over eight hours, Tom’s masterclass combines thoughtful lectures with in-depth deconstructions of scenes from many of Tom’s biggest projects including La La Land, First Man, Whiplash, and more, making it a must-see for editors and filmmakers of all levels and genres.

Cross demonstrates the practices that are expected of feature-film editors, as well as the processes and methodologies that have made him one of the leading editors working in the industry today.

The educator: Tom Cross, ACE

Tom Cross is an Oscar and BAFTA-winning film editor, best known for his collaborations with director Damien Chazelle, including “Whiplash”, “La La Land” and “First Man”. He began his career in 1997 as an assistant editor and became to worldwide prominence in 2015 when he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Editing, BAFTA Award for Best Editing, and Academy Award for Best Editing (among other honors) for his work on the acclaimed film Whiplash. By the way, Whiplash is a beautiful movie that was edited brilliantly. By watching it, you can perceive a lot of editing techniques that can be implemented on your next projects. Furthermore, the movie is being demonstrated by Cross in this masterclass.

Modules and syllabus

The Art & Technique of Film Editing is a mega course (8 hours) that composed of 46 modules, deal with editing techniques and approaches, case studies (Whiplash, First Man and La La Land which is an absolutely perfect reference for understanding film editing), tips, editing styles and more professional inner information about Hollywood productions. Click here to explore the syllabus.

Price

You can buy the course and own it forever to stream and download for $249. Also, you can purchase specific modules ($9-$39 per module).

Listening to ACE editor that uncovers the mystery behind Hollywood movies and award-winning projects, is always an awe-inspiring privilege.

Thoughts about the course

Listening to ACE editor that uncovers the mystery behind Hollywood movies and award-winning projects, is always an awe-inspiring privilege. Indeed, Tom Cross, ACE teaches you a lot about the editing storytelling processes and attitudes of big projects. It’s a fun and educating theory, but it’s only a theory. Don’t expect to learn Avid techniques for instance, nor cutting-room practicals. For instance, I’d eager to explore an actual workflow inside a Hollywood editing suite. Also, I’d prefer to see Cross on his normal day in the office, working with the editing team, with real-time cutting on Avid, rather than pure lectures. This course has huge potential. Adding more examples including real-time demonstrations from high-end editing suites is a MUST for the educational process, especially when dealing with a very hands-on profession.

Should you take the course?

If all you want is to relax, listen, and get inspired by a great educator like Cross, about how’s like to be an ACE editor plus fascinating examples of Hollywood’s masterpieces, this course might suit you. However, if you’re looking for immersive hands-on educating experience regarding editing techniques and practical cutting methodologies, you should be checking other options on MZed.