Cut When You Blink

Hollywood film editor Walter Murch teaches that the best way to create a good cut is by your blink.  Murch edited Apocalypse Now, Ghost, The English Patient, Cold Mountain, and many others.  Although he may be a little better known as a sound editor, he certainly has editing credentials.

Cut when you want to blink.

So far I've found this technique for film editing to be very helpful and insightful.  While some scenes and projects may require much more time than one blink, it can still be helpful to produce a naturally flowing scene.

Eduardo Garcia's journey - a lesson in professional storytelling

Active Ingredient from Citizen Pictures on Vimeo.

Why it works:

• personal voice over
• beautiful, captivating visuals
• cuts are 1-2 seconds in length (keeps the viewer engaged)
• background music track
• cuts are very precise and intentional (no fluff)
• background music does not detract from the subject's voice over

The viewer experiences his story as if listening to him speak in person.  We are his hunting companion, adventure partner, co-pilot, and friend.

"Time is precious and valuable and you should be doing something productive with it."
- Eduardo Garcia

Other notes:
- background music changes several times
- a few slow-motion shots
- dolly shots
- helicopter shot(s)
- tracking shots

Overall a very engaging 7 minutes and 45 seconds of video. Top notch film production quality, editing, and scripting.