Coverage and cutaways

A good editor can be an ideal companion to filmmakers. The basic task is to gather all the information that was captured in camera for a particular task and put it into a coherent story. But don't be fooled! There's a lot more to editing than splicing 'err' clicking-and-dragging clips into a timeline! A good editor understands the essence of the narrative's drama and selects which parts to use to complete the entire.

Tutorial for Video Coverage and Cutaways

Pro-tip: Keep your sources (cast crew, crew, gear as well as time you spend at the father-in-law's home of your friend's cousin's brother) in your mind while deciding whether or not to do "just one additional" shot of a particular shot. Except if you're offering serious costs it's not necessary to go to be David Fincher on the people.

After the (shoot) day the coverage gives you the option to create the most compelling film you can, and cutaways can be quick and powerful ways that will help tell your story visually. The planning for both can enhance your film's quality and interesting for viewers.

Until next time, friends!