Major Project Unit: Director & Editors Relationship

   In the film industry, some connections are made between the director and other people who work on a film. This leads to them collaborating or working together again in the future, such as how Tim Burton has Johnny Depp as an actor in the majority of his films. One key relationship a director usually makes that lasts is that which is between them and an editor. These work partnerships can last a very long time through careers such as Chris Lebenzon who has worked as an editor on Tim Burtons films over the past 20 years. At this current moment I believe myself and the director of 'Routes' (Andy Cox) have worked well together. But to understand what makes a good working professional relationship and what one actually is, I decided to look at what professionals in the industry believe a good relationship is. 

   In the video above, various professionals give what they believe is an ideal relationship between the two roles. I wanted to see what these editors, directors and producers believe to be a good relationship so I can see if Andy's and myself have one. Don Swaynos (Producer for 'Beaver Trilogy Part IV') says that it is important that 'a director understands that the editing process is like the final re write to the script'. He also comments on how 'new directors can sometimes believe that the editors role is to just piece their film together', in this he specifically says those 'who write and directs a film', which is what Andy did for 'Routes'. He goes on to say directors who are open to change for their films are what forms a good working relationship between the two. I would say Andy has done this as I have added pieces, taken pieces out and tampered with the film possibly into a form Andy did not originally envision. But, Andy has been open to it which I feel was a good factor to me working. He has also sat down and talked to me about what options we have for parts of the film, which I feel has benefited us more as a working pair.

   Eileen Meyer (Editor of 'Best of Enemies') talks about her expectations that the director was going to be 'super hands on' with the editing process, until she worked on 'Best of Enemies' where the director was not in the editing room with her while she edited that often. She comments on how director 'liked to react to things' which was different for her as she has not experienced this before. I feel Andy fits into this category of directors also, but I see it as a good thing for me personally. Meyer's says that both styles are good, whether the director is hands on with the edit or not, but for me this was ideal for me to create a film, to make it flow and tell the story in the best way it can. Andy possibly could have been too influential with the edit if he was hands on, but the way that he has worked with me where he isn't with me 24/7 I feel has only benefited the film.

   From seeing what these professionals say what they think is a good working relationship, I believe that there is not really one right answer, it depends on who the person is and what they personally feel is best. I still think that mine and Andy's work relationship is very good and seeing what these professionals think has only affirmed it, and has given me more confidence in continuing the current work set up.