Editorial routines and activities have to cope with ever changing techniques. The second edition of this book has been revised to include all the necessary information about the latest innovations in the editorial field.

The film editor working on present day feature films is faced with a huge and complicated jigsaw puzzle. Not only must he select, and smoothly assemble many hundreds of pieces of film into a story sequence, but he must also pass the accompanying sound track through several stages of preparation.

This book is concerned with the physical side of editing. It describes in detail the functions of the editor and his assistants in relation to each stage in the production of a large-scale film. No other book has ever offered this information before and no other is likely to do so with such authority and thoroughness for a long, long time.

A chapter is devoted to the preparation, recording and use of music in the film. Special requirements for large-screen productions are explained in full as are problems of censor cuts and the preparation of foreign versions.

A completely methodical approach has been adopted for introducing the more technical aspects of the work, so that no stage is described until the ground has been properly prepared for the reader.

The result shows the logic in the sequence of editorial activities so that even the most complex process is clearly seen to grow out of the situation that preceded it.

The author also outlines possible future developments in editing technique, including the use of computers.

What reviewers have said:

"This excellent work will prove invaluable to those hoping to become film editors, and it should be of great interest to technicians in all areas of the film industry . . . the advice given in this book represents the views of a master craftsman in his particular field." – Journal of the SMPTE

"Fills a definitive need, and it fills it very well. . . All the steps, all the paper work, and all the operations are covered in detail and well illustrated. . The sections on sound editing, music editing and mixing are especially valuable. In all, the book provides an excellent overview of movie making for other than aspiring editors." – Infinity