There’s an old saying in the business: “We’ll fix it in post”. In other words, when everyone else gets through screwing things up, it falls on the editor to work his/her magic and save the day. Oh, you think I’m kidding but you’d be surprised how many adequate movies have been transformed into truly great films by the clicks and sweeps of a skillful editor. Yes, editing is one of the most crucial – and under-appreciated – elements of the production process and its always a genuine pleasure to work with the best. As is and will be the case on Dark Matter‘s first season. Way back in pre-production, we were given a list of names to choose from. All came highly recommended but, at the end of the day, one individual’s opinion trumped all others – that of former Stargate ace editor: Mike Banas, P.I. The two names at the top of his list were Paul Day (pictured above), who cut episode #101, and Wendy Hallam Martin (who I’ll be introducing you tomorrow), who cut episode #102. Had a great time today working with Paul, finishing up my edit of #101 – just in time for Jay Firestone who comes in to do his prod cut tomorrow. And, while Jay is working on #101, I’ll be doing my pass on #102. Just watched the T.J. Scott’s director’s cut tonight. It’s pretty spectacular. As I mentioned yesterday, I have a hankering to do another mailbag. So, if you’ve got some questions, post away!
I have the utmost respect for the editors and everyone behind the scenes. We don’t normally see what goes on behind the camera and how things are pieced together. It just amazes me how much goes into a 40+ minute tv series.
I recall watching SG-1 years ago. It got me through the late nights in college. 🙂
is it too late to bribe you for a guest spot on Dark Matter, if so what bribe would work best.
Hi Paul, 😀
Question: Whatever happened to our Dancing With the Dark Matter Stars?
RE: Editing. It certainly is a crucial element of a show or movie. Recently I watched an edited-for-tv movie and was totally lost – the cuts were so jarring and nothing meshed. However, since I never saw the movie in the theater, I’m not sure if the problem was with the original film, or the edited film. (The movie itself – a cop buddy flick – was mildly entertaining despite the choppy editing, but not worth remembering once it was over.)
das
I too have always found editing very interesting. Not just a technical job, but more of a visionist, artistic job to me. One of my favorite categories at the Oscars.
A Legos spaceship?
You’re making me blush Joe! Say Hey to Paul, he’s awesome.
So, err, you’re just reassembling the Stargate team to do everything Dark Matter, right? That’s more than OK with me!
Question for the mail bag: Those “Vegan Peanuts Butter Chocolate” cookies that Akemi made sound delightful. As a full time vegan foodie, would you mind sharing the recipe?
Hi Awesome Paul!
Joe, as the top guy/Show-Runner, you must be very indispensable to the making of the show. What happens if you were to get sick? Would you get wheeled into work, hospital bed and all?
Hi Paul! Welcome! I agree with Ponytail: editors have to be artists to really do justice to their work. And I think the hardest part is that they have to really understand the vision of the person who’s work they are editing so they can help them bring it to life.
Ack!!!!! Who’s? Who’s???!!! I meant “whose” and realized it as soon as it hit post.
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I need an editor.
Howdy Paul!
Is there time to revive the raccadillo (or other shipboard pet) concept?
George Lucas says that, too. “Movies are made in the editing room.”
BTW, your readers ask questions in the comments every day. I guess they don’t count. Pity. I often see questions that I would like to see the answers to.
The crew behind the scenes (all of them) work so much harder than the actors, and much longer hours, for many more months. It’s a shame that they make so little, while the actors make so much. Filming the acting can take two months, whereas post production can take a year. Example: Jim Parsons of Big Bang Theory makes $350,000 PER EPISODE to tell jokes. If he is saving any of that money, he’ll never HAVE to work again. Whereas crew members are often living paycheck to paycheck, and barely surviving when there is no work. Sorry for the rant. I really appreciate SFX people, editors, costumers, set designers, decorators, props, stunts, construction, etc., etc. and I feel that they get the short end of the stick.
Hi Paul! I can’t wait until Dark Matter airs!
My poor little kitty is sick. 🙁 He has blood in his stool. My first thought was cancer but the vet didn’t find anything suspicious in his colon. All his blood work normal is normal, thank God. So I’m just supporting him with SQ fluids, anti-nausea meds, meds to calm his gut and forcing pedialyte down him until he’s feeling better. Wish me luck! If this doesn’t work then on to Plan B…. 🙁
Oh and I’d like to add on to my question from yesterday: If you’ve completed over 100 episodes…Does that mean you’re five years ahead? :O
Mailbag questions from me.
Could you ever see the crew of the Raza visiting a ridiculously advanced race of aliens?
Will the crew of the Raza face any dangers from the cosmos itself? Similar to how the Destiny faced a binary pulsar.
Memory loss stories can be fun, Stargate had a few, mostly caused by a virus of some kind, can we expect similar from Dark Matter?
Hi Joe
When would be a good time to drop in to take you for a Hot Chocolate? Perhaps even you and Amanda?
Elminster
Hey thanks, Joe! And Hello back to Mr. Banas! Thank you for the stellar reference! Hope all is well in ‘much-warmer-than-Toronto’ Vancouver.
Nice to meet you Paul. Looking forward to seeing your work again. I saw you worked on Odyssey 5 (which I watched) and Dead Like Me (which I watched, too).
Can I ask what program you guys use to edit with? I am going to school for editing and one day hope to do TV shows like this.
Thanks for showing us all these cool behind the scenes pictures, they are really motivating to work hard!