ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXDirector editing own film?
3 weeks ago - Dionte Simmons
So I just wrapped a short where I was acting (only a small role - nothing major, but a really fun shoot) and the director mentioned they’re planning to edit it themselves.
I’ve got a lot of trust in him - he’s got a good eye and a solid track record. But it got me thinking. I’ve always worked with editors who seemed to just… know exactly what to do.
On the one hand, it makes sense. The director knows the material inside out, the vision is theirs, and we’re on a shoestring budget. On the other, I’ve seen editors come in just for the joy of it, and they bring that fresh perspective, help avoid tunnel vision, and just know how to make things work.
Curious to hear if anyone’s been in that spot - where a director editing their own film worked brilliantly, or where an editor came in and completely saved the short or the secret third option (middle ground...)?
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3 weeks ago - Niki Jones
I’m a self-shooting documentary producer, so I’ve often edited my own work. For me, it works really well because I know the material inside out and understand the subject matter on a level no one else could. That intimacy can make the story feel really alive and authentic.
Fiction, though, feels different. That’s where a fresh pair of eyes can be invaluable. An editor coming in brings perspective, can help spot blind spots, and often guides the film in ways you wouldn’t have thought of yourself. So I’d say it really depends on the project - documentaries? Editing yourself can be great. Fiction? A good editor can really elevate things from the inside-out vision to something broader and sharper.