Editing a project or material you hate

[marks]

To date my experience has been with editing projects for myself, subjects that I love, am interested in, care about.

My question is, how do you pro's handle having to edit projects, particularly large ones, that you don't have this passion for, or that you even straight out hate?

Given the creative nature of the work and the energy that has to go into something that you love, how does one cope when this is not the case? This is something that I have wondered about when my mind has wondered onto thoughts of a career change.

Would love to know your thoughts.

marks

[E_Tedeschi]

marks,

I am not sure that I would knowingly let myself get involved in a project that I disliked that much. I have often found myself cutting stuff that I lacked a passion for, but when it's your job, I think you just make do (ie "I could walk away and starve, or...) :)

Surely there are days (weeks?) in any type of job where you lose your enthusiasm?

Personally, if something I'm working on is dull, I try and find challenges within the material for myself. They may only be small moments, but the buzz is always there when you get something just right. I love the process of editing - wether it be a short film or a home movie.

"If you see it as experience, it hasn't gone to waste."

e.

[Daz]

Let me guess: reality TV?

Seriously, when I first started working in England I was doing corporates just to pay the rent. Problem is, when you do crap work it just leads to more crap work. In the end I bit the bullet, stopped the crap and hung out for the good stuff.

But that's not a matter of sitting at home, waiting for the phone to ring. It's about watching TV, identifying what you like, finding out who's making it, taking them to lunch, impressing them with your skill, talent and diligence.

[E_Tedeschi]

Daz, you must be psychic. :)

You are right, though. Crap breeds more crap, and you really need to make a conscious decision to bust out of the vicious cycle.

e.

[Davade]

Daz,

I would like to take you out for lunch and show you my skills, talent and dilligence!!!

I am stuck and very sick and tired of craps that I have been doing...

*biting the bullet now*

This message doesn't just go out to Daz. Whoever is willing to "rescue me", I will be buying lunch....

[Daz]

London is a long way to come for lunch, David!

Seriously, it is producers and directors who you want to be making contact with.

[Animus]

If you are working on a job you dislike or even hate...

I do 2 things...

1. Look for something within the job you can grab onto - maybe its a particular colour grade, style of cut, different muic rythms etc

2. Start a personal project after hours. That way you have something to think about if the job you are being paid for is too mundane.

I find the more personal jobs you do in conjunction with industry jobs, the more you can bring to the mundane jobs. This also leads to gaining more experience doing the type of work you have a passion for and gives you more of a chance to secure those jobs you really want.

Nick
(Animus)

[rachelw]

oh my! Doing jobs you don't like isn't exactly the same as doing jobs you HATE....it is tough when you gotta pay the rent, and also it can be tougher if it's the people you don't agree with rather than the subject.

Ideally, if you look at a job and instantly get the feeling you ain't gonna be happy, especially if the people are evil or the pay is on the sad side of ordinary, walk away and go get a part time job pulling lattes until you find something you like. If you can grin and bear it, crappy work (in or out of the suite) can be ok so long as you are moving forward, trying to get bigger and better work.

And try to see the bright side. My most hideous jobs for personal discomfort levels have actually been the best high-profile work I've ever done - it just happened to be flippin torture. My happiest work to date has been for a bunch of nice people who always gave me the most woeful work in the world - there is some stuff I've not put myself in the credits of for shame - but nice people and good payers. I think you would laugh, but imagine doing a lip-sync on a religious version of Ingelburt Humperdink. I was very very amused, tortured by poor song, and happy in my work. (I am so sick)

In the end, although this is a creative field, it's also your business. It pays to be tough, persistent and patient. If you hang in there and keep making waves you'll see a difference. Set your goals, and if you stick to them, either you'll ge the work you want or die trying. Then go have a sandwich with Daz.

I have no sandwiches, only oatmeal. Because I am so sick.

David if I had a sandwich to send you I would gladly oblige!! I'm a Sydney girl for the time being.

[Matthew]

The great thing about being freelance - and in case you take it for granted already it's GREAT - is that even if you have a crap project and dickheads to work with, it's not forever and then next project is with - at worst - a completely different set of dickheads!

The ideal would be to find a long term prospect with great people on great material - but even here, in time, you tire of the same old stuff.

[Daz]

Rachel and Matthew have nailed it:

a) Some of my best-known or awarded films have been the most unpleasant and difficult experiences - although if you can see its going to be a good 'un then that helps a lot (hard to imagine topping an Ingelbert Lip-Sync session)

b) It's often easier to stomach a bit of dross when you're in charge of your own destiny - the no-work no-pay equation becomes very immediate

I've found a slightly weird variation on all this: I often have the most fun working with people I haven't worked with before. It's a bit like dating: there's that slighty nervous first few days, where each party is trying to suss out the other, but then if all goes well it can be like falling in love! Also, new people invariably have different ideas to the ones I'm used to; different techniques, wacky music ideas, you name it. As opposed to 'oh yes, that old trick again.'

Of course, it's great to team up with well known directors and producers from previous projects, but you know these can fail to live up to everyone's expectations. It never ceases to amaze me how much of 'what makes a good film' is just luck! So I'm definitely one for mixing it up. Last week I was editing action sequences of volcanoes exploding in Inonesia, this week it's 'Can the food you eat affect the taste of your semen?'

Stay tuned...

[JWRL]

Originally posted by Daz
'Can the food you eat affect the taste of your semen?'

Stay tuned...

I can hardly wait!

[Matthew]

The mind boggles ... and I suppose some lucky devil has applied for and received a hefty research grant to test that hypothesis?

[Daz]

BBC Licence Fee, mate.

[grinner]

I never accept projects I cannot get into.
that said, amazing how a good hourly rate will get ya into content your not into.
I have made beer videos for the biggest brewer in the world for the last 6 years. I am sick of it. Sick of beer. Sick of the content. Sick of the final products. In a real respect, I sell beer for a living, not even liking it enough to drink it. Looking at it that way, I have sold my soul in the name of the dollar. Looking at it financially, I have a wife and three kids to support and they are the only ones waiting in line to pay me enough to do that right now.
The bottom line is I am a professional. This means I can check alot of personal feelings at the door and take care of bidness until I can make money on the labors of love I am passionate about. Life is all about climbing ladders, sucking it up and achieving goals utilizing both tenacity and patience. It's being patient that is hardest for most artists. Truth is, we all have to do what we have to do until we can do what we want to do.

[Daz]

Be nice to beer...beer is your friend.

[E_Tedeschi]

Originally posted by grinner
Truth is, we all have to do what we have to do until we can do what we want to do.

Well said, grinner.

And welcome to the ASE site - it's nice to see another creativecow.net leader here :)