Gael Chandler - Film Editing: Great Cuts Every Filmmaker and Movie Lover Must Know

This is an eye-grabbing, succulent book that helps you understand visually rather than in words, how those incredibly short pieces of film shot on the set or location come together to create a movie a kinetic, visceral sensation that can leave you breathless, moved, or profoundly transported. D.W. Griffith, the father of American filmmaking, famously wrote, Above all, I am trying to make you see. Gael Chandler does exactly that.

Howard Suber, Founding Chair, UCLA Film & Television Producers Program, author, The Power of Film

Those of us in the movie business often say that if we notice something, that means we didnt do a good job. Our job as filmmakers, is to do what we do as seamlessly as possible. Gael Chandler takes a microscope to those seams to show the subtleties and techniques used by seasoned professionals, using words and pictures that an average movie-goer or up-and-coming filmmaker can appreciate and experiment with. This dissection, together with quotes of working directors and editors, make Film Editing a practical and aesthetic addition to the arsenal of any film buff, film student or filmmaker.

Victoria Rose Sampson, writer, director, film and sound editor; MPSE Award for Best Sound Editing: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Speed, Romancing the Stone, The River; Grand prize winner for writing and directing, Harley-Davidson commercial contest short film, Her Need for Speed

Lots of books will teach you editing software. This book shows you what moving-image media does to captivate an audience how to create art. Buy those other books to learn the technology. Buy this one to learn the art of editing.

John Morley, author, Scriptwriting for High-Impact Videos

In this book Gael Chandler illustrates the language of film editing in a clear and precise way. She explains the grammar and parses the sentences so that everyone can easily understand it and begin to communicate in this visual prose. After reading this book, aspiring filmmakers as well as lovers of film will have a deeper appreciation of the invisible art. I imagine it will be required reading for every entry level editing course.

Bill Pankow, A.C.E., Emmy and Cesar-nominated editor, The Black Dahlia, The Corner (TV series), The Tic Code, Carlitos Way, Casualties of War, The Untouchables

In Film Editing, Gael Chandler has managed to translate film theory to the printed page in a way that is accessible, thorough and fun! The theories and thoughts she clearly offers here are essential to understanding the art of film editing.

Fred Peterson, editor, Without a Trace, Third Watch, Providence, Early Edition, Homefront

Sophisticated yet easy to follow, chock full of contemporary examples, this book is about much more than editing. Understanding the principles which Chandler so clearly explains will help directors plan their shots and editors maximize the dramatic impact of a film. As a veteran film educator and director, I can think of no better book to help demystify this elusive art.

Mary Beth Fielder, senior lecturer, USC School of Cinematic Arts

Gael Chandlers insightful book on editing is a dream for both film school professors and front office executives. She explains the art of cutting, which is often forsaken in favor of technical proficiency. This is helpful not only for film students and at home editors who need to understand the artistry behind the technology, but also for development execs and producers. This book should also appeal to both the novice and the experienced professional editor.

Dan Watanabe, Vice President of Development, CRC Entertainment, instructor, Los Angeles Valley College

As a former film student, I found myself wishing I had a book like this to refer to and inspire me as I spent hours trying to decide which cut works where. Chandlers book lays it all out for the reader. It is just as much a reference guide as a how-to book a great tool for an editor at any stage.

Ellen Scherberth, graduate of Loyola Marymount School of Film and Television; intern, Warner Brothers, Full House, West Wing

Film Editing is a visually stunning book and a cerebral delight for anyone wishing to immerse themselves more thoroughly in the art of storytelling through editing. Chandlers book is specific and exacting in detailing just how editing works. Film Editing is the new gold standard for this genre.

Millie Benton Paul, awarding-winning documentary filmmaker, director, editor

With her new book, Film Editing, Gael Chandler makes plain with many visual examples the complex language of editing. It is a fine sequel to her previous book, and I recommend it to all beginning editors and established film professionals alike.

Ray Zone, author, 3D film producer, stereographer

In the early days of the non-linear editing revolution in Hollywood, I was the first film editor to use the Ediflex on a series, and I had to train the second. The show was Still the Beaver. The editor was Danny Kahn, a veteran of the original Beaver and I Love Lucy series. Teaching him proved difficult, and after three weeks I decided I was unable to train another editor how to edit on the Ediflex. Gael Chandler changed our history by coming on the show as the assistant editor and taking over teaching a really old dog how to cut like a pup. Within three years, 80% of the television shows in Hollywood were being edited on Ediflex and Gael was editing the Beaver show and getting nominations for best comedy editing. Thank you, Gael. You are still teaching us how to edit and this latest work should become a standard for film schools.

Herb Dow, A.C.E., The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Logans Run and many others

Gael Chandler has produced another useful book on editing and there is no doubt that her work will benefit anyone interested in either watching or making movies. Having trained with Gael on early NLE systems, I know how easily she makes connections between old film jargon and practice with the latest digital techniques. My students praise her first book, Cut by Cut, as an accessible and reliable tool to take their editing acumen to the next level. I cant wait to hear their comments about this one.

Ken Roth, Professor, Digital Media Arts, California State University, Dominguez Hills

Using hundreds of stills from major motion pictures, Gael Chandler has created a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening book on film editing. This book is great for filmmakers and film-fans alike.

Matthew Terry, screenwriter/filmmaker/teacher/columnist, www.hollywoodlitsales.com

Gael Chandlers book is well overdue as a conversation piece directed towards novices who always ask what film editors really do. Her book explains in pictures and words the subtleties and techniques used for over a century by professional film editors to convey the story. Understanding these principles will educate not only the novice but all who want to know more about how editors create the final rewrite of the script.

Ed M. Abroms, A.C.E. My Sweet Charlie (Emmy award), Colombo (Emmy award), Sugarland Express, Kojak

Film Editing gets right to the heart of the subject fast, with simple explanations and sumptuous examples that go far deeper than just the technology and into the real art of storytelling. While lots of books teach film editing theory, this one shows film editing the way it is meant to be learned visually and in doing that, Gael Chandler has set a new benchmark for books on the subject.

Robert Grant, Sci-Fi London

A comprehensive and easy-to-read description of the techniques editors use to seamlessly tell stories. The use of film frames clearly illustrates the editing concepts. A must read for any film student, or anyone just interested in the art of editing.