In this episode, host Christian Taylor interviews award-winning editor Yvette Amirian about her journey from documentary to narrative editing. Yvette shares her experiences working on various projects, including “EXmas” and “It Takes a Village”. She discusses the differences between editing documentary and narrative films, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of both. Yvette also offers valuable tips for breaking into the film industry, highlighting the importance of building relationships and being kind to others. She shares her perspective on being a woman in the editing industry and the challenges she has faced. The episode concludes with a discussion on choosing the right editing software and the evolution of editing technology. The importance of involving editors from the beginning of a project is emphasized, as well as the value of fresh eyes in the editing process. Yvette recommends the documentaries ‘Three Identical Strangers’ and ‘The Other Side of Home’ as must-watch films.

Takeaways:

• Building and maintaining relationships is crucial in the film industry.

• Networking and nurturing genuine connections can lead to opportunities and collaborations.

• Breaking into the film industry requires determination, perseverance, and a willingness to take on various roles and projects.

• Editing documentary and narrative films have different challenges and skill sets.

• Documentaries often require creating a story from scratch, while narratives involve working with scripts and existing footage.

• Living and working in Hollywood can provide unique opportunities and challenges.

• Having a supportive community and network is essential for success.

• Choosing the right editing software depends on the project and industry standards.

• Avid Media Composer is widely used in the industry, but other software like Premiere and DaVinci Resolve also have their merits.

• Early experiences with editing can shape an editor’s understanding and appreciation for the craft.

• Involving editors from the beginning of a project can lead to a more cohesive and effective final product.

• Fresh eyes in the editing process can provide valuable perspectives and insights.

DocuView Déjà Vu:

Three Identical Strangers, 2018, 96mins,  Watch on Hulu or Prime, IMDB LINK: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7664504/reference/

The Other Side of Home, 2016 – Short Documentary, 40mins, IMDB LINK: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5664922/reference/ Watch on Kanopy: https://www.kanopy.com/en

Time codes:

00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts
01:32 Introduction of Guest, Yvette Amirian
03:47 Yvette’s Journey from Documentary to Narrative Editing
09:15 Differences Between Editing Documentary and Narrative Films
13:18 Balancing Work and Family Life
15:10 Tips for Breaking into the Film Industry
19:36 The Importance of Building and Maintaining Relationships
22:13 The Value of Collaboration and Kindness in the Industry
27:16 Challenges and Progress for Women in the Editing Industry
30:44 Living and Working in Hollywood
39:49 Choosing the Right Editing Software
41:52 Evolution of Editing Software and Yvette’s Experience
42:20 Introduction to Editing and Early Experiences
45:04 Discussion of the Film ‘It Takes a Village’
50:05 The Importance of Involving Editors from the Beginning
52:21 Documentary Recommendations: ‘Three Identical Strangers’ and ‘The Other Side of Home’
55:56 Conclusion and Appreciation