David Fincher’s Editor Reveals The Key To Make ANY Edit Work
Nov 22, 2023
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In this entertaining episode, Kirk Baxter, the editor behind David Fincher's films, discusses his editing style and collaboration. The topics covered include the importance of hiding blinks, choreographing fight scenes, using sound and music to guide edits, hooking the audience in the first 5 minutes, cutting with intention, and breaking down key scenes in 'The Killer' and 'Gone Girl'.
Intention and choreography are crucial in the editing process, with careful consideration given to camera angles, coverage, and pacing to enhance storytelling.
Collaboration with sound designers and composers is essential to create a cohesive and immersive experience, with strategic use of voiceover and sound elements to guide the audience and enhance the overall storytelling.
Deep dives
Key Point 1: The importance of intention and choreography in editing
The podcast episode highlights the significance of intention and choreography in the editing process. The editor, Kirk Baxter, discusses how he works with director David Fincher to create a precise and hypnotic editing style. They carefully choreograph each scene, considering the camera angles, coverage, and pacing to ensure that the editing enhances the storytelling. Baxter emphasizes the importance of eliminating unnecessary cuts and allowing key moments to play out, using close-ups strategically for impactful moments. The editing process involves constantly refining and shaping the footage to achieve the desired impact.
Key Point 2: The role of voiceover and sound in editing
Another key aspect discussed in the podcast is the use of voiceover and sound in editing. Baxter explains how they collaborate with the sound designer and composer to create a cohesive and immersive experience. The voiceover is used strategically to guide the audience and enhance the storytelling. The editing team pays attention to the rhythm and pace of the dialogue and adjusts the visual editing accordingly. Moreover, sound elements, such as music and effects, play a crucial role in setting the mood and enhancing the edited sequences, adding depth and impact to the overall storytelling.
Key Point 3: The process of handling extensive footage and building an opening sequence
The podcast delves into the process of working with extensive footage and building an engaging opening sequence. Baxter shares insights into how they approach scenes with multiple setups and shots. They prioritize volume and coverage to have ample material to work with during the editing process. Baxter explains the importance of finding the right balance between compressing the footage and maintaining the intended impact. The team carefully constructs the opening sequence, paying attention to the flow, rhythm, and pacing, ensuring that it captivates the audience from the start.
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0:00 David Fincher’s Editor Kirk Baxter
01:00 Use Riverside
02:18 Why Hiding Blinks Creates Intention
05:05 - The David Fincher Editing Style
09:50 - Choreographing The Vicious Fight Scene in The Killer
12:29 - Letting Sound & Music Guide Your Edit
13:57 - Comment “Storyblocks is cool”
15:00 - Hooking Your Audience In The First 5 Minutes
16:23 - How To Cut With Intention
18:14 - Breaking Down The Sniper Scene in The Killer
25:15 - The Magic Of Vertical Sound Cutting
27:53 - Breaking Down The “Cool Girl” Sequence in Gone Girl
Hosts: @JordanOrme and @HillierSmith
Guests: Kirk Baxter
Editor: @tysonpellegrini @hilliersmith
Executive Producer: Vishnu Vallabhaneni
Thumbnail: @davidaltizer
Welcome to The Editing Podcast, where storytelling meets the art of post-production. In this riveting episode, hosts Hayden Hillier Smith and Jordan Orme sit down with none other than the master editor behind the brilliance of David Fincher's cinematic wonders—Kirk Baxter.
We delve deep into Kirk's illustrious career, spanning iconic films that have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. From “The Social Network” to “Gone Girl” to his most recent thriller, “The Killer”, Kirk Baxter's editorial prowess has shaped some of the most memorable moments in film history and has influenced the editing landscape forever.
In this episode, we dissect the mesmerizing opening sniper scene, a sequence that hooks audiences from the first frame. Kirk takes us behind the scenes, sharing the secrets of crafting tension and suspense that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. We also explore the intricacies of "The Killer's" visceral fight scene, a jaw-dropping display of editing finesse that elevates the film to a new level of intensity. Kirk Baxter's insights into the creative decisions behind each cut and the rhythmic flow of the sequence offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a true editing maestro.
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