Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

Hi all from Auckland.
We’ve had a pretty full-on three months, although the windup of the Angela Fox Project as described in
our last report has taken much of our time.
However, for our March meeting we were delighted to welcome Margot Francis, a renowned New Zealand
film editor. Her latest full-length work, “A Piece of my Heart” was to be screened on national television the
following Sunday.
Margot worked as an editor in New York for 18 years, then back in New Zealand for the last 8. With a love
of documentary and drama she says all film is effectively related to documentary or drama - even home
movies. The more she edits the more she learns. Each segment she edits has to tell a story, even a 30 second
commercial. She observed, “If it has an idea but no story what is the point?”
To a layman the job of the editor is to ‘bond bits together’ although he is actually influencing the success or
otherwise of the end result. Margot suggests that when editing you put the shots together quickly as it is
essential to become familiar with your material. Spend time looking for those moments that you really like
adding markers so you can find these bits easily later. You may not know just yet how you’re going to use
them, but when you’ve selected your cuts, look at them again. Take the time to sit and watch to make the
connection.
Once the film is shot – throw the script away. The material will tell you what is needed – it will tell you
what is too long or boring. You can’t plan everything. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. When it’s
edited and you have looked at the beginning, middle and end you will soon know if it works. If you are interested
in what you’ve made the film is well edited.
Transitions are important but make sure each is natural and not noticed, and music can completely change
the mood of the film controlling the pace of more than 50% of the story. Then, a film has got to be fun to
watch. If people are squirming in their seats it’s uninteresting and the movie has no power. If your audience
isn’t hooked ask yourself why you have lost them. Maybe the film is not developing, or too much of the
same material is being shown.
Finally, a film must stand on its own – it alone should tell the story.
Thanks Margot - a wonderful evening. While we are probably all aware of the pointers she made, the manner
in which we adopt and use them will soon show up in the level of acclaim our own movies receive.
Martin Coles.
FREE MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION 2009
I would like to thank the seven Clubs who participated in the Free Membership Voucher promotion. Unfortunately
due to their Club’s efforts in participating in this promotion there were no takers for the free offer
of club membership.
Editor.
Australian film & video
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