Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing

by Jeff Bartsch

Imagine pushing a magic button in your video editing software labeled "better". Any project you edit turns out exactly how you planned, every single time. Your audience is absolutely spellbound, wiping tears from their eyes, laughing out loud, or sitting in stunned silence as they see the world in a different way for the first time.

Bad That button doesn't exist. Good Edit Better shows you how to get there anyway.

Edit Better was made for video editors who consider themselves advanced hobbyists or growth-minded professionals, artists who know that the tools of editing matter far less than the knowledge of how to use those tools powerfully.

This audiobook does not illuminate the workings of Avid, Final Cut, or Premiere, and is not a meditation on film editing. What it a provocative, wide-ranging collection of strategies and tactics for the creative application of TV and video editing, no matter your editing tools.

Author Jeff Bartsch lays out both big-picture strategies and practical, boots-on-the-ground tactics for powerful communication. Going far beyond mere button-pushing, Jeff good-naturedly blends communication theory, marketing, behavioral psychology, neuroscience, and nuts-and-bolts details of editing application from years of experience in Hollywood, the storytelling capital of the world.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

First published June 18, 2014

Reviews

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reality television producer with a few dozen projects in the rear view mirror at this point, I'm well familiar with the feeling of being stuck in an edit bay with someone who doesn't really want (or need) me there. Most editors I can oblige, and things almost always work out better when they don't have someone in the room with them, dogging them about every frame.

While intended, I think, for early-career editors, EDIT BETTER is an insightful and straightforward read that goes beyond tips and tricks to cover approaches and philosophies that have worked for Bartsch over his own career. Things that may seem second nature to a seasoned editor are usually learned from the mistakes and discoveries they made along their journey, and this book is sure to save the young editor a lot of painful lessons.

An absolute must-read.

[Marc Elmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Bartsch has expertly collected the ideas and concepts that take most editors years to learn, woven them together with anecdotes and wisdom from his years in the trenches, and laid it all out before you with wit and humility.

Honestly, I wish that I had read this book ten years ago. Within the first two pages of starting this book, I got up and went into the other room to get a highlighter. Upon finishing 'Edit Better,' I think there are probably only three or four pages in the entire book that aren't bleeding fluorescent yellow.

I've been an editor for nearly twenty years, and I can honestly say that this is one of the most practical, cohesive, and intelligent books on editing that I've ever read. It dives in and tackles head on the kinds of issues that many editors never discuss for fear of sounding like a neophyte. It was packed with concepts that were either A) a good reminder for me or B) new ideas that I plan to incorporate into my own work. The chapters on audio compression and EQ alone were worth the read.

If you are an editor, whatever your level of experience, I highly recommend that you read this book.

[Shaniera · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing" by Jeff Bartsch is an exceptional book that offers comprehensive insights into the art and science of video editing. It provides a practical and systematic approach to the craft of editing, covering everything from selecting footage to adding special effects and sound design. Though I am not an expert with the extensive video editing but I tried some of the basic lessons from this book and it enhanced my knowledge on how to use capcut and the results were outstanding.

Bartsch's writing style is clear and engaging, making complex concepts accessible to both beginners and experienced editors. He draws from his vast experience in the film industry, sharing real-world examples of successful editing techniques used in Hollywood productions.

Overall, "Edit Better" is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their video editing skills, whether they're working on a personal project or in a professional setting. Bartsch's expertise and passion for the craft shines through on every page, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to enhance their editing abilities.

[Joel]

Despite Jeff sometimes rambling just a few sentences too much about himself and his own life, I really liked this book and learned tons. I'm kind of ashamed I wasn't aware of some of the concepts, since they're so essential to the craft of editing.

I love the style in which it's written, too. That makes it a book that I can perfectly occasionally grab and learn something from. I have it within reach when I'm sitting in my office, and once in a while I'll open a random page and read whatever rule pops at me, and I keep learning and reinforcing concepts.

[Andrei Baciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great know how bits and planning skills for those who want to really go in depth detail when it comes up to editing & planning for pre productions. After I read this book, I am planning to go for a second read, in order to get the rules I find essential in this book, it might come in very handy whenever starting a new production.

[Mark Rego · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book focus on how the Editing process occurs, from the filming to the postproduction and finished product.
The author shares its experience in Tv Hollywood projects etc. Giving an inside on the industry but giving tips to on how to improve your editing.
In general it’s an awesome book for people in the area that want to see how the world of “Big Shots” work but learn from it to.

[Koveanthan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of editorial ideas to pick from. A good companion to this is Jeff Bartch's own '27 question's to a better story' online class hosted at story greenlight.

Let me tell you, this guy knows what he is talking about.

[Timo Brooky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concepts from television/cinema that are related & useful to video editing for social media in 2022

[Kaiji Arakawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfinished : page : 80

[Mariusz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book showing an overview of efforts required to edit a movie.

[Lauren Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't learn much of anything. It's more of a beginners book unfortunately.

[James Gav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like one long blog post, but because of that it's extremely accessible and easy to digest. Plenty of useful information for a fledgling editor.