How Professional Hollywood Editors Cut Their Music (TUTORIAL)

Introduction

Music carries the power to enhance human emotional responses such as excitement, sadness, and fear. For film editors, music isn't just a backdrop; it's a fundamental aspect that can completely transform a cut. However, many editors often find themselves constrained by tight budgets and the absence of professional composers. Luckily, there are ways to effectively work with stock music to achieve professional-level results without breaking the bank.

The Role of Music in Editing

It is often said that sound is at least 50% of editing; some even argue it may be more. Music is one of the fastest and most powerful tools at an editor’s disposal for transforming the emotional landscape of a film. While most editors commonly use stock music with fixed structures and lengths, it’s possible to creatively recompose these cues right on the timeline.

For example, by utilizing various cues, alternate mixes, and stems—along with a little music theory—editors can match music perfectly to key moments in their footage. The goal of music editing is essentially to align the important sections of the music with the critical points of the film’s cut.

Understanding Music Dynamics

Music behaves in fundamental ways—specifically, it can swell, shrink, or shift.

1. Music Swells

A "swell" is when music intensifies, usually introducing new instruments into the mix. This can create an emotional crescendo that aligns beautifully with intensified scenes.

2. Music Shrinks

Conversely, a "shrink" decreases the music's intensity, often by removing instruments from the mix. This technique can effectively draw attention to dialogue or specific actions by reducing the sonic backdrop.

For instance, an editor might employ simulated music shrinks by transitioning to alternate mixes or cutting certain instrumental tracks to ensure the appropriate parts of the music align with key dramatic moments.

3. Music Shifts

Unlike swells and shrinks, a "shift" maintains a consistent level of intensity but changes the tone slightly. These subtle adjustments can be aligned with smaller shifts happening on-screen, allowing for nuanced emotional responses from the audience.

Practical Applications in Editing

A practical demonstration of these concepts can be observed in scenes from films like "The Martian" or "Forrest Gump." Editors will often manipulate the swelling and shrinking of music to enhance reactions or critical dialogue moments.

For example, if a character delivers a poignant line, a well-timed music shrink can sustain audience tension until the next action unfolds. Conversely, a swell can emphasize climactic moments, generated by layering in additional instruments.

Finding the Right Music

Despite the challenges in finding the ideal piece, many editors overlook the potential of customizing stock music to fit their projects better. By mastering music editing techniques, editors can select tracks that may not seem perfect initially and transform them into something that feels tailored for specific scenes.

By understanding and exploiting the dynamic nature of music, editors can create a seamless emotional experience that significantly enhances the storytelling.

If you want to further improve your editing skills, numerous free training resources are available at filmeditingpro.com, covering everything from music and sound design to action scene editing.

Keywords

• Music editing
• Swells
• Shrinks
• Shifts
• Emotional responses
• Stock music
• Cue alignment
• Editing techniques

FAQ

Q1: Why is music important in film editing?
A1: Music enhances emotional responses and transforms the impact of a scene, making it a crucial element in film editing.

Q2: What are swells in music?
A2: Swells are moments in music where the intensity increases, often due to the introduction of new instruments.

Q3: How can I create a music shrink in my edits?
A3: Music shrinks can be created by removing certain instruments or transitioning to an alternate mix with less complexity.

Q4: What is a shift in music?
A4: A shift refers to a subtle change in music that maintains intensity but alters the tone or instrumentation slightly.

Q5: Where can I find resources for learning music editing?
A5: You can find a variety of free training resources and guides on music and sound design at filmeditingpro.com.