The Cutting Room Floor

What’s the difference between a great film or book, and one that’s mediocre?

Often it’s what gets left out.

I’ve heard that what gets cut from a movie is often as important as what makes it in. Having scenes that don’t move the plot forward can lessen the impact of the whole. Which is why editing is crucial.

The skillful editor removes anything unnecessary, and makes sure the work stays focused and on target. When done well, editing is an invisible art—you may not even notice it—and it’s what separates the pros from the amateurs.

Editing isn’t just valuable for filmmaking or writing, though. We need the same skills throughout life.  When our schedules fill up, and several options are in front of us, knowing how to identify the essentials and non-essentials can be invaluable. What needs to stay? What needs to go? What should I focus on? What should I set aside? Answering—and then acting on—these questions can help us be more effective in what we do.

But editing takes courage. It inevitably means leaving things we like on the cutting room floor because other things are more important. Yes, it’s easier to try to keep everything, but eventually this only dilutes our focus.

Being able to edit—to recognize the essentials from the non-essentials—is a valuable skill to have. And not only in writing or filmmaking, but also in the art of life.