Updated: Jul 21, 2021
“I would teach organizational structure. I still see professional editors not have a succinct hard drive.”
- Wes Powers, Editor
In episode 30 of the MAKE IT podcast, our good friend Wes Powers offered a simple yet important observation regarding his editing compatriots. He reminded us all that editing is both art and science and that the science of it should not be ignored.
Editors play an important role in film production. As we all know, there's the film you write, the film you shoot, and the film you edit. The one you edit is the one everyone sees but what about when production is finished? What then? What is the role of the editor?
If you didn't know, the editor's hard drive is marketing and distribution gold. When you hand off your project to a distributor, you have to know where everything is and what everything is. You have to have files and formats in order and ready for the show. A lack of organization can result in distribution delays and cost overruns as these files are needed for final QC (Quality Control) and asset verification and validation by the distributor.
QC identifies any technical issues and mistakes that may not have been caught during the editing processes. QC also ensures that the final master that is passed to a distributor is available in all necessary formats without any issues that would otherwise impact the viewer's experience. Some distributors leverage a combination of automated QC processes and human reviews to ensure technical acceptance.
An efficient QC process requires an organized hard drive that provides quick, intuitive access to all needed files. The more efficiently this process goes, the less time, effort, and expense is involved in transferring film artifacts from filmmaker to distributor.
Now, let's talk about marketing. The editor's hard drive houses all of the artifacts needed to create all of the critical assets to support a film's marketing campaign. These artifacts include:
Trailer
Teaser
BTS (Behind the Scenes) Footage for social
Images for social posts
Ads for social media marketing
Ads for OTT (Over-the-top) marketing
Once again, an organized hard drive makes it easier to create these artifacts when needed thereby creating efficiency in the process. As time is often of the essence in managing content marketing campaigns, efficiency is king.
Here are some quick tips for organizing your hard drive:
Create an "Hard Drive Template" folder with this folder structure inside it:
Approvals
Audio (Subfolders: Mixes, Music, SFX, VO)
Documents (Subfolders: Scripts, Interview Questions, Project Briefs, Casting Notes)
GFX (Logos, Stills, BTS Images)
Masters (Subfolder: Deliverables)
Media
Projects (Subfolders by Program)
VFX
If you want to hear more about the life of an editor and some great tips for keeping a tidy hard drive, listen in on this episode with the great Wes Powers. You'll be happy you did!
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.
"I learned how important close relationships and friendships are because this business is chock full of negativity and comparison and ambition...so many things that can topple you."
- Stefanie Black, Actor/Producer
At the heart of creativity is the ego, the self. Creatives in the film industry work tirelessly to put their own unique, creative stamps on their work in search of recognition and a career of continual opportunity. This journey to success in a saturated field means fierce competition, palpable disappointment, and encounters with those whose self-interests trump your own. This is why close relationships and friendships are so important. Our friends are vital to our mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical well-being.
In 2006, Tom Rath published a book entitled "Vital Friends: The People You Can't Afford to Live Without". This book defines eight types of friends:
1. Builder
“Builders are great motivators, always pushing you toward the finish line. They continually invest in your development and genuinely want you to succeed — even if it means they have to go out on a limb for you” (87).
2. Champion
“Champions stand up for you and what you believe in. They are the friends who sing your praises. Every day, this makes a difference in your life. Not only do they praise you in your presence, but a Champion also ‘has your back’ — and will stand up for you when you’re not around” (93).
3. Collaborator
“A collaborator is a friend with similar interests — the basis for many great friendships. … When you talk with a collaborator, you’re on familiar ground … you often find that you have similar ambitions in work and life” (99).
4. Companion
“A companion is always there for you, whatever the circumstance. You share a bond that is virtually unbreakable. When something big happens in your life, this is one of the first people you call” (105).
5. Connector
“A connector is a bridge builder. …. Connectors get to know you — and then introduce you to others” (111). Connectors are always inviting you to lunch and other gatherings where you can meet new people, and point you in the right direction when you need something.
6. Energizer
“Energizers are your ‘fun friends’ who always give you a boost. You have more positive moments when you are with these friends. Energizers are quick to pick you up when you’re down — and can make a good day great” (117).
7. Mind Opener
‘Mind Openers are the friends who expand your horizons and encourage you to embrace new ideas, opportunities, cultures, and people. They challenge you to think in innovative ways and help you create positive change. Mind Openers know how to ask good questions, and this makes you more receptive to ideas” (123).
8. Navigator
“Navigators are the friends who give you advice and keep you headed in the right direction. You go to them when you need guidance, and they talk through the pros and cons with you until you find an answer. In a difficult situation, you need a Navigator by your side. They help you see a positive future while keeping things grounded in reality” (129).
To make it through the challenges of the filmmaker's journey, it is important to find people who can fill these roles in your life. Once you do, you should protect these relationships by filling one or more of these roles in their lives as well. By creating synergy and always thinking win-win, you will have the collective strength, knowledge, energy, and resources needed to press forward, create, and to never give up.
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.
Updated: Jul 21, 2021
“Produce where you are. Creativity isn’t bottled up in some location. There isn’t a secret elixir that can only be found in Los Angeles.”
- Ryan Hartsock, Producer
When Ryan provided our filmmaking audience with this piece of advice in episode 25 of the MAKE IT podcast, we agreed in principle but with a caveat in practice. The sentiment here is simply that content can be created anywhere and that you can build a career right where you are. There are production studios (of varying sizes), networks of filmmakers (of varying talent), and audiences (of varying tastes) everywhere. Ryan is right. You can "produce where you are."
But here's the caveat: Where you produce content is very much dependent on your own unique career aspirations. Though there is no "secret elixir" to creativity held only within the city limits of LA, there are filmmaking hubs whose networks, talent pools, and access to filmmaking technologies have much more to offer. Just follow the locations of the top film schools in the country: USC, UCLA, NYU, LA Film School, and American Film Institute. Their locations and their infrastructures are designed to maintain the powerhouse influence of the major studios and, if being a part of Hollywood is your goal, this is where you likely need to be.
With his advice, Ryan is inviting indie filmmakers to consider the value and potential of producing where they are as opposed to keeping both eyes firmly affixed to the allure of Hollywood. Considering the low percentage of filmmakers who actually make it into that gated community, this is certainly wise advice for anyone who wants to build a career in filmmaking. Sustainable work, which can be achieved right at home, can be the one thing that provides the indie filmmaker with adequate stability and resources to try new things, continue their education, and develop the network of professionals needed to bring their own unique projects to life.
We invite you to consider Ryan's advice as well as your own career aspirations as you make the choice of where to live to advance your filmmaking career. As a career is defined by both its longevity and its opportunities for growth, you have to identify the best place for achieving these two outcomes.
Give a listen to episode 25 of the MAKE IT podcast to hear even more insight and perspective from Ryan. As a producer of successful short and feature film content, he has a world of experience to offer.
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.