The Craft of Editing
by Liz Tate
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The Craft of Editing by Liz Tate: A Comprehensive Review
In film and video production, editing is more than a technical step—it’s the invisible art that shapes how stories are told and felt. Liz Tate’s course The Craft of Editing explores this pivotal role with clarity and depth, specifically targeting the needs of editors working in commercial post-production and advertising. This review offers a closer look at the course’s structure, core teachings, and practical value for emerging and experienced editors alike.
Course Overview
Tate structures the course across multiple sessions, each focused on a critical aspect of commercial editing. Beginning with an exploration of the editor’s role in a typical post-production environment, the curriculum gradually builds a foundation in key editing theories such as continuity and emphatic editing—both crucial for delivering coherent and emotionally resonant narratives.
As students move through the lessons, they gain hands-on exposure to core editorial practices including sound design, dialogue editing, pacing, and the integration of special effects. This layered approach ensures that learners leave the course with both a solid theoretical background and practical skills applicable to real-world projects.
What You’ll Learn
One of the standout features of this course is its strong emphasis on project-based learning. Students practice turning raw footage into polished selects—an essential step in managing the editorial process effectively. From here, they refine their cuts to match specific messaging goals or audience expectations, sharpening their ability to edit with purpose.
Tate also distinguishes the course through her emphasis on deconstructing edits. She encourages students to dissect professional work to understand why certain choices were made—whether it’s the rhythm of a dialogue scene or the subtle pacing of a commercial cut. This analytical lens empowers students to develop their own stylistic instincts while staying grounded in effective technique.
A good example is the session on dialogue editing, which examines how to maintain conversational flow and emotional integrity even as shots are rearranged or trimmed. These detailed lessons help students translate abstract theory into concrete creative decisions.
Emphasizing the Power of Sound
Sound design plays a pivotal role in how audiences interpret visuals—and this course doesn’t treat it as an afterthought. Instead, Tate dedicates time to helping students learn how to integrate music, ambient effects, and dialogue into a cohesive audio landscape that enhances storytelling.
Participants gain hands-on experience with:
Dialogue Replacement (ADR): Learning how to match re-recorded lines with original performances.
Sound Mixing: Balancing various audio elements to ensure clarity and mood.
Music Integration: Selecting tracks that support narrative beats and emotional shifts.
By weaving these audio components into their edits, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how sound supports and elevates the visual story.
