Film editing with Albert Brooks

[SenorCajones]

This is the ONLY good scene in the movie.

[63Poonie]

"You're gonna tip it"

[63Poonie]

"You know nothing...I love that line !!"

[catholicpriest1]

In 1997, I attended the filming of of a situation comedy entited "Goode Behavior" starring Herman Hemsley. It was shot at Paramount. After every scene someone would shout out, "Check the gates!" They were using 16mm Panavision cameras. An older cameraman was kind enough to talk to me between takes. They won't have to "check the gates" once everything is shot on video. At the end of the filmming, Mr. Hemsley said goodbye to each person in the audience.  He said to me, "Take care Bro."

[Nikatsu]

Some of the comments here are really frustrating. It's not that digital editing has made it possible for "anybody" to be an editor, no more than buying a guitar makes you Jimi Hendrix. Mastery of software has nothing to do with classical principles of film editing, which are as fundamental to our enjoyment/comprehension of a film as a grasp of grammar and style are to a good book. Some say new editors are breaking the old rules, but you can't break a rule you've never learned.

[NeoTRP]

Exactly, I have people in my editing class who have superior knowledge of the software--but when it comes to screening their work, it's shit. Just because you know some cool tricks with Final Cut Pro does not make you an superior 'editor'.

[polghirstenskoetter]

Are James L. and Albert Brooks related?

[laughingcrows]

Classic :)

[jjtcorsair]

"Better that than to have this... little...mysterioso"

[wingchundragon]

WOW...The old steinbecks! When u had many cuts on your hands from editing real film!....thank God for Avid and final cut

[RocketSprocket]

@wingchundragon ... That's a KEM not a Steenbeck. Back then, just like today, editors would argue endlessly about the relative merits of each editing system. KEMs worked better with 35mm film and were the equivalent of the modern Avid. Steenbecks worked better with 16mm film were the equivalent of Adobe Premiere.

Final Cut Suite with all of its mega firepower has no analog equivalent. ;-)

[haleysphere]

Where is this from?

[sabotkick]

man im an avid editor...i cant imagine editing on actual film...blows my mind, Spielberg is still editing this way.

[wingchundragon]

@sabotkick yes sir! Old school!

[chimpiki]

@sabotkick So far as I know, Spielberg is shooting on film, but I doubt he's still editing on film. If I'm not mistaken, Saving Private Ryan was the last Oscar winning film to have been edited the old fashioned way. Since then, they've transferred film footage to digital for the editing process, and then transferred that back to film for theatrical distribution. This is an especially common practice for CGI heavy films, something Spielberg is no stranger to.

[catholicpriest1]

@chimpiki In a few years, they won't have to transfer the digital back to film anymore. The digital hard drive will be sent out to theaters, or downloaded to theaters. This is already happening in many larger multiplexes.

[chimpiki]

@catholicpriest1 Yes of course, but it's a damn shame. Everyone should opt (as often as they can) to see genuine film prints while it's still an option. Praise filmmakers like Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan who still and rightfully believe in the magic of watching 24 frames flicker through light. I'm not going to bash digital cinematography though, it's definitely got its own merits, but if I had all the money in the world, I'd shoot 100% on film.

[catholicpriest1]

@catholicpriest1 Interesting that majoy motion pictures are still shot on 35mm film. Filmmakers like the softer, more subtle, look of film. Once the look of digital video matches the look of film....adios film. The economics will determine the whole thing.

[blu1026]

@chimpiki Not true. I worked in the cutting room on MUNICH and Michael Kahn still cuts on an upright moviola, and still does to this day.

[chimpiki]

@blu1026 Cool.

[wisesatyr72]

This guy represent some sort of intellectual jewish comedy philosphy..very much like star treks..

[misohai]

Wow, that' s funny, I haven't seen this in a while. I just realized the clueless director is his real life brother James L. Brooks. His other brother, Super Dave Osborne, steals the movie with what I think is the funniest scene in the whole film as the persuasive salesman in the sporting good store. Great flick.

[gluecement]

@misohai James L. is not Albert's brother. Albert and Super Dave's real last name is Einstein.

[KENOFKENS46]

As an editor i freaking love this & i live this. LOL

[MellowYellow6]

Gerkinstock -- Like an actor handed a script, the editor's gotta do as much as he/she can with what they get. We have to invest! Find the merit in the moment, the arc, the performance, whatever. If we can invest enough, we can make crap palatable, palatable stuff watchable, watchable stuff enjoyable and enjoyable stuff great! Tho it seems like silly minutia, every decision in post can make a huge difference...as this scene so brilliantly illustrates. LOL.

[blacktopaz8]

I want to punch you in the face too.

[BobfromSalem]

This is one of my favorite scenes in comedy movies, for some bizaare reason...Albert Brooks is hilarious!

[ddr122]

He's a good film editor.

[jayscott49]

The other editor was the kid in 'A Thousand Clowns'.

[LicoriceWarrior]

hahahaha i've had this talk so many times... this scene is incredibly accurate. hilarious.

[kinomontage]

Brilliant! I miss cutting on film. Been on an Avid for over a decade. There's something I miss about the tactile quality of making film splices, and the thought that went into something before you made a cut. Also, the way the scene plays out is so true to the reality of what happens in the biz.

[mwells219]

As an editor do you feel like you can tell the differnece between movies edited the old fashioned way and ones edited using software?

[poolboyinla]

I can't. Different methods to get the same results.

[ibanezman1025]

@kinomontage I know how you feel. I've done some computer editing but recently acquired a 6-plate 35mm KEM. I plan to edit on film again as I love the smell and sense of an old cutting room. Feels like you're really hand-crafting something as opposed to the digital realms.

[midprod]

amazeing how they edited back then, if they acidentaly cut the wrong scene, that must have been a pain

[fannynoise]

WOW! This is pre-8-track days! Reminds me of interviewing neighbors with my cassette recorder strapped around my shoulder.

Remember those Super-8 movie projectors, and how those stupid bulbs would over heat and blow out? Now THAT's a buzz kill!

[kentavang]

hey thanks!!! nice video!!

[cinemavirtualis]

This is such a classic scene ... I laugh at how David taps on the editing machine and says "something's wrong with this".

[Jacobisgrowing]

this is what im talking about

[greg5566]

What do you think that floor is?

It looks like carpet.

No, it is. I mean more in the reality of the motion picture.

I don't know, space floor?

. . .

How much do you think the communicator weighs?

Maybe it doesn't weigh anything, you ever think of that? Maybe it's up there on one of those planets with no gravity.

[RichTancredi]

That reminds me for every dumb A&R guy i had to deal with in the music biz when i submitted a final mix..."Although the new mix you submitted is punchier and more exciting...we are going to go with the old mix" "so change it back"

[Larsbolander]

One of the funniest movies of all time, along with Real Life.

[jeabo0adhd]

This is hilarious material.

[saintsubversive]

To quote the motorcycle cop in "Lost in America": great scene!!

[GarfieldVsSnoopy]

Bruno Kirby talks like Joe Pesci.

[walzade]

yeah.. that's how the editing goes on.... pretty much same. great clip.

[greg5566]

Yes, that's what is amazing about this movie. In addition to being one of the funniest movies of all time, it is also one of the best movies about movie-making of all time. Completely underrated.

"Why do I want to meet George Kennedy?"

"You're going to do the footsteps tomorrow? I'll introduce you, you can look at his feet."

You know nothing!

[itstheowner]

Albert Brooks is a genius, way underrated.

Real Life

Lost In America

Defending Your Life

[GetMeThere1]

I was always very amused by this movie, and by this scene.

[iancorey]

I want to punch myself in the face for wanting to be an editor.

[purpleninja1724]

@iancorey why? what's wrong with editing??

[iancorey]

@purpleninja1724 Because sometimes it's about "I LOVE that line!" and not about the pith. And sometimes it's like, "maybe you're right, but let's do it the other way."

[Ethergirl]

Cool, I have to see this movie now, it looks very funny. I studied filmmaking in college, and I loved editing, even though a lot of my friends couldn't be bothered and always wanted to be "out there shooting". But editors are indeed great storytellers!

[214scifi]

I have always loved this scene! It is a classic!

It's funny! However in my opinion very true about filmmaking and film editing! You don't want to give away everything in the first act or first reel!

[MellowYellow6]

Hilarious! I'm a film editor and have worked with people like this "director." This is SPOT ON! Generally the best storytellers in the cutting room are the editors, since its their job to see the big picture, not just how each scene works separately. Inevitably, someone with no story sense and tremendous affection for their own minor contributions comes in and dumbs down a piece. I'm telling you, this is SO accurate. Brilliant.

[FussbettSanitario]

You should buy a couple of Porsches in advance, since you know you'll be rich.

[mamakunem]

lol. i never said i know i'll be effortlessly rich, you sarcastic prick. i said ill have a high paying job (after i graduate and with some effort getting my name out) in a matter of a year. i made that perfectly clear.

don't be jealous because i have my goals in reach and you still have to talk shit about strangers with your big mouth to feel special... very sad.

ill be sure to run you over with one of my Porsches in the near future.

take care, FuckbedSantana.

[FussbettSanitario]

Can I get your autograph?

[mongobobo]

Hi mamakunem,

Depending on what you think a high paying jobs is, you may feel disappointed. Sadly due to the digital editing explosion in the last 20 years any kid with a computer can get a job now. FCP editiors are paid much less than Avid editors I've heard, but not confirmed.  The main problem however is that the powers that be don't care how good or dedicated to your job you are, but how cheap you are.

Good luck in any case. I've been working in post production for more than 10 years.

[mamakunem]

thanks for the discouraging words :)

but i think ill manage. I'm not in it for the money but a good paying career comes 2nd to my passion of storytelling. Im now a pro at AVID, FCP, VEGAS, AFTEREFFECTS, PHOTOSHOP AND MAYA,

I am not at all concerned about " the powers that are don't care how good or dedicated to the job I am" but how cheap my rate is. u might be a professional but you are nothing like me because in ur mind you are average, in my mind i know it takes more than what you've got.

[mamakunem]

not "any kid" can do what i do, that is insulting and you should think before you state something stupid like that. I've gone to technical school and prior to that i've been editing for more than 3 years so i think i know more than the average "kid"/you can be in the industry for 30 years for all i care, but if u think in terms of how much profit one makes or what program is better or in a general despondent and skeptical attitude , then my friend u're in the wrong biz & u forgot what its about.

[mongobobo]

Wow, you've got a lot of hostility and anger there. Sorry that my post caused that for you. Wasn't my intention at all.

[mamakunem]

whatever you're intentions were, it came off very arrogant &i don't like arrogant people that think boundaries can't be broken.

hostility and anger? no, im just annoyed. I'm a very ambitious person that doesn't like it when other people tell a person something can't be done no matter how hard you try. that is just plain ridiculous and i wouldn't have the nerve to say things like that. it's a very black and white way of thinking and I can never be that obtuse and shallow.

take care.

[maffew1234]

@mamakunem - i think all that mongobobo meant was this: editing used to be a very specific craft that paid highly because it was hard to do, and now, pretty much anyone can learn to edit so long as they have a computer and some spare time. It's made editors much less in demand, because the industry is overflowing with them.

[maffew1234]

It's the same as modern home recording techniques allow any musician to put music out if they want, what with myspace, youtube and various other platforms.. and didgital photography has taken a lot of the skill out of photography, so now anyone can take great pictures etc etc.. i don't think mongobobo was being harsh, he was simply letting you know what the industry was like

[Gerkinstock]

@MellowYellow6... The best editing for this film would probably have been to cut the entire movie and dump it in the trash. It's funny to see editors and filmmakers so excited over something so awful, though.

[Mysticvan]

Albert Brooks is God.