Sound Design in Film Editing - Using Sounds as Character's Inner State

Good sound design enhances the dramatic impact of a scene. Using sounds is one of least "visible" editing techniques. Here is a simple example of a scene in the current editing of the film "Flesh & Blood" with and without the use of sound design.
THIS GUY EDITS (TGE) is a youtube channel by film editor Sven Pape, an A.C.E. award nominee, whose credits include work for directors James Cameron, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and James Franco.
TGE is not about how to run a piece of software, but rather how to tell stories creatively.
Sven cuts his latest film for Sundance filmmaker Mark Webber. “Flesh & Blood” is their third collaboration.
Film Editing Book Recommendation - "In the Blink of an Eye" by Walter Murch: amzn.to/20ujg6B
Several times a week TGE will post update videos. You get to see the timeline and the editor's play-by-play-commentary as he cuts scenes. It shows work in progress.
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For example TGE puts Walter Murch’s theory of “The Blink of an Eye” to the test. Another segment reveals editing tips on how to dramatically get into and out of scene. A future episode includes David Mamet’s philosophy on scene writing as it applies to editing.
To get regular updates on the project subscribe to the channel here:
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Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X

Your channel deserves a lot more views and subs, it's an incredible source of insight to pro editing!

[@mariushordys9188]

Great job! A perfect example showing the importance of good sound design to enhance a scene.

[@StanleyMOV]

This is amazing! thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

+Topdogmsn thank you for finding this amazing :)

[@huggeebear]

So, so good. This even made me flinch. Every. Single. Time.. It's about time there was a channel like this, giving insight into the editing process, and in FCP X too. What a bonus. I think the software really makes the process fluid, the mechanics of it all fade away and you just kind of disappear into the zone where the software just becomes invisible and you are just..editing.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

amen to that

[@sonnybrown4758]

I have a question. When you cut from Guillermo (I think that's his name) to Mark after he asks, "are you okay?", Mark is already looking at him, where in Guillermo's shot Mark is staring at the ceiling. Is this something you're going to stick with, or is it part of it being a rough cut? I used to try and match all my character movements in cuts, but found that the flow was too long. Do you make these choices more on the dialogue performance and flow, or do you look for more accurate cuts? Or do you mix? I was watching 24 the show the other day and they didn't give a damn about movement and everything was just whatever. It made sense for that show, though. Just curious.

[@ThisGuyEdits]

+Sonny Brown I have to look at that again to see what you noticed. I do look at the eye movement (subconsciously), but I really cut more instinctively. So if a cut works for me, I usually don't question it much. But overall as I revisit scenes and look at them in the context of the whole movie I keep tweeking cuts and try new things

[@sonnybrown4758]

+This Guy Edits "If it works, don't question it", sounds like sound advice in general. Thanks for the response!

[@rikardo2041]

well I know Im pretty late in the conversation but I would also like to add that... I didnt even noticed, and not because I wasn't paying attention or not a good editor or whatever but I belive that when we are in "spectator mode" we tend not to focus in so many details as we are editing. For example, I was looking at his brother's eye at that moment, there's where the focus of attention was. So, this cut its just perfect. But of course, you will have to deal with the Director whos probably be more focusing on details.

[@marcc16]

I enjoyed watching your thought process! I wondered if you moved the sound of the loud guy yelling and timed it to when he woke up if it would be better or worse. It would put the viewer on their toes and give a little jump scare like it's what woke him up from his dream.

[@rishabhmishra86]

Hi there!
To start learning editing from your channel I saw this video as your early uploads.
Although the film must have released by now and I don't know the story, pre and post scenes, but don't you think that making the sound of person shouting should be right before the character wakes up?
Right now we go to a wide shot after the close up where the character is seen uncomfortable. Omitting the wide shot can also make a difference. As there are two impacts of sound with action with a silent cut and negligible action.
Shouldn't we relate to-
Then, the younger brother is introduced sleeping facing the wall. The cut he wakes up is seen him sleeping facing his elder brother.
Although the lighting difference shows the time lapsed but this is not getting very well portrayed here.

[@immortal98638]

Incredible.

[@ErikThureson]

Nicely done!

[@Modhumitamondal]

Nice

[@iosonoguerra]

There is an adjustment layer on your timeline. How do you add it? Thank you for there videos

[@gageeggleston7740]

Are you also doing the sound editing for this film? Do you use a dedicated program like Audition for sound? Also, don't editors normally save sound editing for the late stages of editing (around picture-lock?) Thanks for these videos!!

[@ThisGuyEdits]

I don't do the final sound editing. However I do a lot of temp sound design as I'm editing because it has a big influence on the actual edit in terms of pacing and feel of a scene. Once it goes to sound our sound mixer works with ProTools

[@ppstudiosinc.9285]

Thanks for another glimpse into your process. One question, are the birds I'm hearing in the background in the track or sounds bleeding into your workspace?

[@ThisGuyEdits]

you're probably talking about my backyard chickens.

[@jonicrox]

Awesome Video!

[@hariram9118]

i want exactly that sound effect when he was sleeping pls help hoe to make it