Time Lapse of a Television Editor

Have you ever wondered what it takes to edit a one-hour episode of television? Here is a short time lapse video of the editing process for episode 416 of the NBC series "Chuck.

Starring: Matt Barber and Scott Pellet
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This was an unusually compressed schedule as the network was airing the episode shortly after is was finished shooting. Typically, every step has a few more days.

And there are dozens of people that you don't see that help to make the episode.

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Tags:

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[Arbokai]

@shaggy223 Question: just out of curiosity, does the director sit next to you while you cut the dailies or can you go about your business until he arrives for the dircut? I can imagine that in the US the papers that come from the set are quite detailed. I still have to repeat to the scriptgirls that they should TALK to the director to figure out what is good about a shot or take and what is bad about it. Mostly they just write down something like "Two-shot" or "Boom visible".

[shaggy223]

@Arbokai I cut the dailies by myself. The director shoots for 7 1/2 days... I have two days after he/she finishes in which to finish my first pass. Then the director will come in and sit with me. The script notes that come from the set are as detailed as the director wants them to be. Sometimes I only get circled takes. Other times I'll get detailed preference notes. But I've worked with most of our directors on a number of episodes and have a good idea of their preferences and styles.

[shaggy223]

And to be clear... it was 19 days of actual cutting. As soon as the episode locked, the VFX, music, and sound team took over--and all I did was review the progress with the producers (while beginning work on episode 419.)

[mendozacheers]

Day 26: SHAVING!

[shaggy223]

@mendozacheers I need a haircut....

[SacredAfro]

its a mac?

[shaggy223]

@SacredAfro yep. 2 x3 Ghz Quad Core with 6gb of ram.

[poprocz]

Great video, I didn't notice a single computer crash, must be nice.

[theone1991]

Nice job. I miss Chuck. :(

[SusanXG]

This was amazing! I respect editors so much more after watching this! Awesome job!

[LagganMC]

@Nyah86Production 4.0.5

[SimonKornowski]

what software do you use?

[Nyah86Production]

You're using Avid Media Composer, am I right?

Can I be so bold to ask which version? ;-)

[theconservativelib]

How do you like working on long-form? I cut promo for a living and feel like I live this shit it's so hectic. You show guys get the same feeling? Constantly rushed?

[BubblyJoliee]

This is totally awesome. I love seeing how much work you guys put into Chuck. What did you go to school for in order to do this kind of stuff? It looks so interesting and I am kind of interested in it.

[Songsmirth]

Wow! Just wow. And you're only one person of all that work on something that to us seems straight forward. Thank you for putting this up! I was watching the director's comments of, "Remember Me" and thought, "we haven't a clue." All the organization behind filming anything is massive. And what if you cast the absolute wrong person who you all are backing? So much of the credit goes to the, "stars" but that's minor isn't it? I always read the credits. You can learn a lot. Thank you. Fun

[drummerdaneds]

What kind of roll does the assistant editor(s) play in this show? At what point does the assistant finish and hand the project to you?

[adamsys]

@Baerra92 as far as I can see, It's an Avid Media Composer on a Mac OSX.