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Editing—Simple And Pure

Editing is to cutting as architecture is to bricklaying—one is an art; the other is a craft. Not all architects are brilliant, nor is all architecture high art, but at its best it is undeniably creative. So is editing. In the realm of film, however, the “architect” may also be the “bricklayer” or, more properly, vice versa: The cutter may be the editor, but not necessarily so.

It must be understood that the editing or reediting of a film is not always standard procedure. Some scripts are well written, and minor changes, if any, are made during production. Scenes are well staged, well acted, and well shot. The cutter’s job is then relatively simple; he needs only to join the relevant portions of the selected takes together ...

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