Well, here we are.... a day later and I'm still buzzing.
On Saturday December 15th, the feature film I edited (Alondra Smiles) was screened before a packed theater. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreak!
For a film I stumbled blindly into, I never expected to be so nervous on opening night. I was a hired gun on this project, brought in long after the film was shot. I would be working from a script that I had no input in. Using an assembly edit I had never seen before. It was a completely new experience for me.
I started work on the film in August 2006. The Producers/Writers were very gracious, giving me my privacy to re-sculpt the film. Changing the pace and sometimes, deleting entire scenes that felt padded. Over the course of several weeks, editing late at night after work (on a diet of Cheetos and Diet Coke), I had completed my first pass on the film. What followed was several more weeks of working closely with the Director, tweaking the movie here and there. At one point, I suggested shooting a small bit that would help make one scene flow smoother. A few weeks later, they went out and got the footage I needed to make that scene complete. By early 2007, I was done. The Producers were now going to send the movie out for scoring, grading and some other bits that didn't require my hand. I left the project, feeling fulfilled.
While working on the film (and soon after), I was making major adjustments to my life - Editing out people and situations that were negatively effecting me. I set out to change my life, making it better for both myself and my family. Breaking out of my comfort zone, I quit my editing job and started work in the Theme Park Industry. It was shaky at first but after a few months of plugging along, I started earning more money than I ever had in my life! All that negative energy that surrounded the people I cut out of my life was gone. I was a new man. Life was fantastic!
Summer 2007: I got a call from the Producers. They had some ups and downs but finally got the film (virtually) completed. They asked if I wanted to come in and give the film another pass before it was locked. They especially needed to re-adjust some scenes that they couldn't get the music rights for. So once again, I returned to Alondra to give her a final shine. They asked if I could stretch out the header and footer of a few scenes because they wanted to add a couple of cool transitions to them. Looking back, I almost wish I didn't.
Anyways, after that final edit, I was done with Alondra Smiles. I walked away (again) feeling fulfilled.
Cut to December 15th. I'm nervously pacing around the lobby. I walk past the familiar faces of the film's cast. None of them have ever met me before and I'm way too nervous for introductions. I stumble around the lobby, waiting for everyone to enter the theater.
Once they're in, I take a seat WAY in the back. I believe I'm the last person to enter the theater. The lights dim and the movie begins. I hold my breath throughout the film. Waiting a beat before every moment, hoping for the proper response from the audience. Thankfully, for the most part, they respond exactly has intended. Either I'm really really lucky or I (sort of) know what I'm doing.
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| Hey, that's me! |
I started work on the film in August 2006. The Producers/Writers were very gracious, giving me my privacy to re-sculpt the film. Changing the pace and sometimes, deleting entire scenes that felt padded. Over the course of several weeks, editing late at night after work (on a diet of Cheetos and Diet Coke), I had completed my first pass on the film. What followed was several more weeks of working closely with the Director, tweaking the movie here and there. At one point, I suggested shooting a small bit that would help make one scene flow smoother. A few weeks later, they went out and got the footage I needed to make that scene complete. By early 2007, I was done. The Producers were now going to send the movie out for scoring, grading and some other bits that didn't require my hand. I left the project, feeling fulfilled.
While working on the film (and soon after), I was making major adjustments to my life - Editing out people and situations that were negatively effecting me. I set out to change my life, making it better for both myself and my family. Breaking out of my comfort zone, I quit my editing job and started work in the Theme Park Industry. It was shaky at first but after a few months of plugging along, I started earning more money than I ever had in my life! All that negative energy that surrounded the people I cut out of my life was gone. I was a new man. Life was fantastic!
Summer 2007: I got a call from the Producers. They had some ups and downs but finally got the film (virtually) completed. They asked if I wanted to come in and give the film another pass before it was locked. They especially needed to re-adjust some scenes that they couldn't get the music rights for. So once again, I returned to Alondra to give her a final shine. They asked if I could stretch out the header and footer of a few scenes because they wanted to add a couple of cool transitions to them. Looking back, I almost wish I didn't.
Anyways, after that final edit, I was done with Alondra Smiles. I walked away (again) feeling fulfilled.
Cut to December 15th. I'm nervously pacing around the lobby. I walk past the familiar faces of the film's cast. None of them have ever met me before and I'm way too nervous for introductions. I stumble around the lobby, waiting for everyone to enter the theater.
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| I don't know who most these people are! |
This was the first time I had the chance to watch the completed film with sound, music and color added to the mix. Well, it certainly looked like a movie! I soon notice that the "cool" transitions were never added to the final cut. Some scenes needlessly hold for an extra second before cross fading to the next scene. I'm mortified. I contemplate leaving the theater before the audience turns to attack me. Realizing that no one on the planet other than me (and probably several thousand other editors) would even notice the extra beat here and there, I decide to stick around.
AFTERMATH:
There was a reception afterward and I was finally calm enough to meet the people whose faces I've stared at on a monitor for six months. Everyone one was extremely nice and very positive about the movie.
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| The Editor and the Director |
It was nice to chat and talk about what the next step was. It was also nice to get my ego stroked by so many people. That's something I'm definitely not use to - Strangers telling me "Good job." It's like I died and went to Back-Pat Heaven.
Before I left, I received a copy of the movie poster to hang up in my office. Not too shabby seeing your name in print.
Big thanks to Conchita and Juan! Without them, I never would have had this opportunity to do something so.... unlike what I usually do (There was no cursing or punching of dictators). It was definitely a chance to spread my wings.
I just wish I had one more chance to tweak the final edit. Just one more chance.
C'est la vie. What's done is done.
Copyright © 2007 by Andrew Rubio
C'est la vie. What's done is done.
Copyright © 2007 by Andrew Rubio
