Who am I?
Hello! As some of you may know, my name is Rachel and I am a freelance video editor.
I’ve been editing for over 12 years, professionally now for seven of these. It was always my dream job.
(Well, either that or working with cats…or for a train company.)
Recently I took a week-long business/SEO challenge, which led me back to my arch nemesis: Blogging.
I find it incredibly difficult to put pen to paper, even virtually, so the thought of starting a blog terrifies me! However, I have tempted myself into it, believing that hopefully I can give some insight on the inner workings of my mind and business. Who knows, maybe some of it will prove useful!
Editing video started for me as a way to express myself, and from there things evolved organically to being asked to edit more and more for other companies, across a wide range of genres. I’ve been fortunate thus far to have had an array of different experiences doing this, meeting a lot of wonderful people along the way. Several years ago I found myself working largely in the wedding industry as an outsource wedding video editor, for those wedding filmmakers who have too much editing to do and not enough time.
How I Work
In the past, I have been described as a ‘ghost editor’.
Similar to ghost writers, I am the one behind the screen, mimicking your editing style so no one would even know I was there. You may have seen me touch on parts of my editing process in my FAQ post, but for anyone new to the blog or wanting to know more, this is for you.
With all my clients, regardless of genre, the process begins in a very similar way.
I’ll receive an enquiry, we’ll chat about the specifics of what they need in an editor, and I fit into the gaps of their workflow, taking on the work that they either don’t enjoy, don't have time for, or need a more experienced pair of eyes on.
I absolutely love a challenge, and many clients have hired me for one tricky job, only to outsource the rest of their editing to me too!
Whether you are looking for someone to take on everything, someone to just help out when you're busy, or even just someone to do the bits you're not so keen on, such as footage culling, longer documentary-style edits or fiddly colour grading, I’m here for any or all of that.
You can outsource even if you normally handle everything, but just need someone to help on that one with the looming deadline, or the one with the deadline that passed two weeks ago but you just can’t get your head into it. I'm here for that, too!
If you are an established filmmaker with a brand, an aesthetic and a strong artistic style, you may be put off outsourcing your editing even if you need to, out of concern that another editor just couldn’t do what you do.
It’s true, no one can do what you do. That’s why you get those bookings.
I can’t be you (I’m nowhere near cool enough for a start) but when it comes to editing, I can get pretty damn close.
What comes next?
Firstly I’ll ask for some examples. Show me what you do! I like to watch a few of your films, or films you aspire towards stylistically, to get a feel for the vibe and editing style you go for. (I’m not judging your camerawork, honestly!)
When you first send me an edit to work with, I go through your other examples again as I go; Taking notes on how you structure things, how fast your cuts are, how you normally arrange your shots within the edit. From here I am able to create an edit similar in style to yours, allowing your films to maintain that look and feel that your clients booked you for, leaving you free to get on with life!
About 90% of my clients opt to receive a project file in their inbox at the end of an edit, which they can then open up, tweak if desired, add logos, extra effects etc. and make as many exports as they wish.
Receiving a project file compatible with your software also enables you to truly make each film your own before sending it out into the world.