I want to edit moving pictures

Reznik

So editing is pretty cool, but I'm not all that great at it and I want to get better. (I had an 'editing class' in college that was basically 'here are the tools in Final Cut Pro, and here is some footage. Go!)

Anyway, I'm wondering if there are some decent resources that I can read/watch/listen to about editing that isn't so much 'here is how to use the program' but more about... the theory? General editing techniques? I guess, really, I want to start from the bottom and learn the basics.

I would prefer stuff that is free and online, but I'll still check out books if they're not too expensive.

Thanks!

kitch

http://www.onefromzero.com/videos/finalcut/
This is mostly "here's how to use X program" but there are some mildly helpful tidbits of basic editing info. Also, try researching things like L Cuts or simply browse youtube and google for stuff.

Alternatively, try watching a Tony Scott film.

e: here's a documentary about editing in general
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u69hc-54eU

Jinn

Watch the Cutting Edge, and read Walter Murch's In the Blink of an Eye. Those two combined will give you a fantastic intro to the craft of editing. From there, learn the tools and just start hacking away. Always bear in mind, cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out (Scorcese said that, I believe). Most editors will tell you the movie is really made in the cutting room, because the power of putting one shot against another, in other words controlling exactly what the audience will see and for how long, is arguable the most control any one individual can exert over the whole process. If you care to discuss more "craft theory", hit me up with a PM or something. I'm a film student and I love this shit. Taking an editing class right now, actually, and just got my level 1 FCP certification.

Jinn

Also, google "Gunsmoke editing exercise"

Seeks

http://revision3.com/filmriot

Reznik

Ahh, this stuff is all awesome! Thanks a ton.

Forkes

This place is a great online resource for editing. You can sign up for their mailing list, and they will email you tutorials. Its awesome. I learned how to do the Sin City look from them.

JohnnyCache

It's way important that you know what you like. editing is an art. you want to have a goal in mind before you can get there.

Once you have a general goal, it feeds itself - you start paying attention to elements of editing and seeing them seperately and it helps immensely. You learn that some stuff you love (I'm lookin' at you, kevin smith) isn't edited well. You'll also learn that some stuff you hate, you hate because of sloppy or heavy editing. (I thought shutter island could have been 10, 15 minutes shorter for example)