Reddit reviews Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV

I've been an AE for a few years but I just read Make the Cut. The info is slightly dated (mentions of tape workflows) but the vast majority of it holds up. I've only done reality/doc and because of this book I was able to step in at the last minute for a scripted project without issue. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Cut-Becoming-Successful-Assistant/dp/0240813987

My ultimate goal is to get into tv and I don't expect to jump into being an AE right away, but I'd like to learn more about being one and get some clarification on some responsibilities that they have.

A lot of listings say that the main jobs require transcoding, ingesting, grouping, and syncing. I'm pretty clear on what syncing and transcoding are, and I'm pretty sure ingesting is importing the footage, though I could be wrong. I'm also not really sure about grouping and can't really find info on it.

I'd also like to get your opinion on books, specifically:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0240813987/ref=pd_aw_sbs_14_1/157-3456771-3294657?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D123JR2JSDQZ0FA76Z5Q&dpPl=1&dpID=51dZLUsBFdL

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1138691356/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

I know the the best way to learn is through experience and I'm kind of skeptical about "how to" books, but I'd like to hear people's opinions on them, plus the reviews are pretty solid.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I also just want to say thanks for this page in general. I've definitely gotten a lot of useful info from it!

Thanks for reading!

I would recommend the site Wolfcrow (a play on "workflow"). He gives guidance on lots of different workflows, some software-specific, some more generalized. I find it easy to follow because explains things in plain language and with visual aids.

There's also the book Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV, which covers a lot of the paperwork involved in post, especially for TV. But it might be better to read the follow-up book, JUMP•CUT: How to Jump•Start Your Career as a Film Editor, which I haven't read, but I'm sure is more up to date.

This is one that I read a couple of years back when I started as an AE in features. Half of it is common sense but the other half will explain stuff that will prepare you for the cutting room.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240813987?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1

Well, now I'm just jealous. Another good book to read is Make the Cut (I promise I'm not a shill). It talks a lot about AE protocol and professionalism in the workplace, whereas a lot of AE guides are 100% about the technical aspects of the job.

You can do a class, something like Manhattan Edit Workshop (I assume they have similar classes in LA) but it might be unnecessary if you are already familiar with Premiere. Most differences in NLE is learning the quirks and shortcuts, generally you learn those by actively using the software. If you can find a short at home job (paid or unpaid) I'd suggest you pick it up and do it strictly on AVID. Forcing yourself to learn it through a project is better than using tutorials.

Also the AVID Assistant Editors Handbook is a pretty decent reference. I linked two different books, cause the AVID Assistant Editors is pretty pricey.

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Cut-Becoming-Successful-Assistant/dp/0240813987/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0240813987&pd_rd_r=FRHM260GT92GNBPPM7SW&pd_rd_w=x9ID6&pd_rd_wg=8fjoq&psc=1&refRID=FRHM260GT92GNBPPM7SW

https://www.amazon.com/Avid-Assistant-Editors-Handbook/dp/0615487750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480728970&sr=8-1&keywords=AVID+Assistant+Editor

So true. Barebones.. A great example is in the book Make the cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV. Lori goes over a lot of great tips for everything. PG 10 is the Resume. http://www.amazon.com/Make-Cut-Becoming-Successful-Assistant/dp/0240813987/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458075096&sr=1-1&keywords=make+the+cut