Quentin Ferrant discusses the editing process

Quentin Ferrant discusses what it was like Editing the fast paced film "Five Seconds to Air"

Tamara and Quentin, who says Editors can't also be actors

Editing a film not an easy job as it takes focus and precision. We caught up with the editor of "Five Seconds to Air" to ask him a couple of questions about the process.

Q: What was the process of editing this film like?

It was painful at times, exhilarating at others. The most difficult part of the process was

getting a rough draft ready for review in a very short turnaround time. Luckily, I had a

great team of second assistant editors and the guidance of my teacher and mentor,

Maureen Nolan, to help me organize the footage and get it ready for cutting.

Q: Did you run into any challenges?

Apart from the short turnaround time, the most challenging part of editing was working

remotely from home. Due to the recent outbreak of COVID 19, the final cuts could not

be worked on at school with my colleagues. The director and I were able to work past

this with regular telephone conversations and online file sharing; but it slowed the

process down significantly.

Q: What is your favorite thing about editing”?

I think it’s the close relationship you form with the director. After picture wraps, the

editor is the person who spends a lot of time with the director in post-production. You

form a unique bond and it’s an amazing opportunity to learn the style and vision of

different filmmakers.

Q: How did you collaborate with Cam in terms of getting the film edited?

This was the first production Cam and I collaborated on. I think we were both nervous

about what to expect from each other. I quickly learned that Cam is a very “hands on”

director and likes to experiment with each cut. We worked out a schedule where I would

cut a rough edit then invite him into the suite to fine tune cuts and transitions. It often

called for long stretches of cutting, but it allowed us to figure out the best edit for the

story.

“I think it’s the close relationship you form with the director. After picture wraps, the editor is the person who spends a lot of time with the director in post-production.”

Q: What was your biggest concern on set?

My biggest concern on set was making sure enough coverage was taken and continuity

was followed religiously. Nothing is more upsetting for an editor than to be handed a pile

of unorganized footage that contains obvious continuity errors.

Q:What do you want people to take away from this film?

I hope people are entertained, persuaded and educated without them realizing that they

are. Nothing is worse than a film that is too smug for its own good. If this film turns out

to be too smug, I hope people have the courtesy to throw peanuts at the screen.

A shot of the film before picture lock

Q: What role does an editor have on set?

To stay off the set. An editor must review the footage without remembering the

emotional history that went into shooting the film. It makes it easier to cut unnecessary

shots because they won’t be attached to them the way a director or other crew member

would be.

Q: Do you have any upcoming projects or things you would like readers to know?

I recently produced a short documentary, ‘Captain Cowboy Rides Again.’ It’s a short

film about an art graduate figuring out how to make a living as a puppeteer. ‘Captain

Cowboy’ will premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Short Film Festival. You can

find out more details on Instagram at captaincowboyridesagain