If you saw the movie epic “Lawrence of Arabia,” you’ll likely appreciate this insight into film editing. In fact, what’s considered the most famous edit in movie history.
The Why Behind the Most Famous Movie “Match Cut”
In the video with this article, editor Anne V. Coates, ACE discusses the famous “match cut” from “Lawrence of Arabia.” (Credit to: “Inside the Cutting Room with Bobbie O’Steen” panel from Sight, Sound & Story on June 11th, 2016.)
At my age it was quite difficult to do — I was midcareer. I kicked the machine quite a lot. I learned Lightworks. Then when I went on “Out of Sight,” Steven Soderbergh wanted me to use an Avid. I thought, “Oh no, I don’t want to learn another one,” but I wanted to work with Steven so I started learning.
Coates, ACE, is a renowned British editor who has worked on over sixty films, including the classic epic “Lawrence of Arabia,” for which she received an Academy Award.
She has garnered four additional Academy Award nominations for “Becket,” “The Elephant Man,” “In the Line of Fire,” and “Out of Sight.” She was awarded BAFTA’s highest honor, The Academy Fellowship, as well as the Career Achievement Award from American Cinema Editors – and last year Coates was only the second editor to receive a career achievement award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
How hard was it for you to adapt to editing digitally?
At my age it was quite difficult to do — I was midcareer. I kicked the machine quite a lot. I learned Lightworks. Then when I went on “Out of Sight,” Steven Soderbergh wanted me to use an Avid. I thought, “Oh no, I don’t want to learn another one,” but I wanted to work with Steven so I started learning.
I was chatting with George Clooney on the set and I told him how much trouble I was having. But I told George I realized that they’re really just the same. It was just a question of calming down and cutting just like I had before. Telling the story. Making it funny. Saving the actor’s performance. George thought that was funny. He screamed with laughter. Jennifer Lopez, who was the female lead, came by and George said, “This is the editor Anne Coates who is going to save your performance.” Jennifer did not think it was funny.
The Why Behind the Most Famous Movie “Match Cut”: Takeaways
Having edited literally hundreds of videos over several decades, I can tell you that the role of the editor is undervalued.
- Treat editing as an integral part of visual storytelling.
- Avoid effects including fast cuts just for the sake of showing off your production capabilities.
- Ask: Does my editing advance the story or get in the way of it?
- Of course, remember the basics — like avoiding jump cuts or edits that confuse viewers.
Contact me with questions: bob@kaplitz.tv
No Comments