TV's Frink said:
darth_ender said:
Well, I'll be honest. I have far too little time, skill, finances, or motivation to work on any sort of edit.
Take it from someone who used to think the exact same way - these things don't have to be barriers.
#1 and #4 go hand in hand in my experience. I juggle a full-time job and two kids, so I assumed I never would have time. But once I discovered my motivation, I realized I could make the time if the motivation was strong enough. And it was. Sleep is overrated, btw ;-)
#2 is something you can learn over time. I used to think editing would be a horribly complicated mess but it's not as bad as you might think. And there are tons of free resources out there, including members of this forum.
#3 is tricky but you can get decent programs like Womble or Vegas Studio for $50-$75. And decent computers aren't very expensive anymore either.
It is a difficult thing. I did start edits on all three prequels last year. I got a lot done on AOTC with a little on TPM & AOTC, but time goes on and other things pull your interest away. I just had to get back to producing my own films. I'm a self-taught editor since the mid-90s from QuickTime to Adobe Premiere and now Final Cut Pro. So, yes, it is indeed a skill to be honed over years, but I started out just editing music videos and trailers from favorite movies and TV shows. I both love and hate editing. I love the art of it, and the pride I feel when it's all finished and works beautifully. The hated part is just the technical scrutiny I have to put myself under to achieve the great results, and the tmes when something just isn't working and you have to fight with the footage to make it work. But it all starts with the will and motivation to do it. It took a long time for me to put myself into the right mindset to finally move forward with becoming an independent filmmaker. It started with me deciding that I have to make it happen for myself, and make do with what little I had. I'm working with an eight year old Mac G4. So, even with a terribly outdated computer, you can still make it all work (just takes longer with my 128 MB video card).
Indeed, time is probably the biggest factor on these fan editing projects. Once you get started, you just want to keep chipping away at it, but it's very time consuming in making choices, implementing your ideas, and finding ways to make it all work. Add to that having to learn the editing program and develop your skills, and it does become a long, rough road. Plus, you have a life to live, a job to pay the bills (hopefully), and maybe, a family to take care of. So, as I also say to anyone in independent filmmaking, how bad do you want it? How much does it mean to you to see this idea/project of yours completed?
For me, there are just not enough hours in the day, days in the week, or so on, to do all that I desire, on a creative level. After nearly a year in hiatus, I am slowly working on my prequel fan edits, again.
-NJM