The Pacing Problem
Pacing is the heartbeat of a story, and the editor is the surgeon controlling its rhythm. The most common mistake is a loss of that rhythm. Some shows, in a rush to get to the next plot point, jump through emotional scenes so quickly that the impact never
lands. A character receives devastating news, and before you can register their reaction, we’re on to a car chase. The opposite is just as deadly: scenes that linger too long, suffocating tension and turning drama into a slog. Great editing isn’t about being fast or slow; it’s about knowing when a moment needs to breathe and when it needs to move. It’s an intuitive sense of timing that ensures the audience remains captivated, never bored or, even worse, confused by a scene’s unnatural tempo.
Sacrificing Reaction for Action
A story is only as compelling as our connection to its characters. A frequent editing misstep is prioritizing the “what” over the “who.” An editor might choose to cut to the explosion, the shocking reveal, or the next line of dialogue, but often the most vital part of a scene is a character’s silent reaction. That flicker of betrayal in someone’s eyes, the subtle clench of a jaw, or a moment of stunned silence can convey more than a page of dialogue. When editors cut away from these moments too quickly, they sever the audience's emotional tether. The best editing understands that storytelling happens not just in the action, but in the spaces between. It’s a craft that requires focusing on emotion and guiding the viewer's attention to what a character is feeling, not just what they are doing.
The Montage as a Crutch
The montage, a sequence of short shots set to music, is a powerful tool when used correctly. It can show the passage of time, a character’s training, or a relationship’s evolution. But too often, it’s used as a narrative shortcut. Instead of building a character’s emotional journey through earned, specific scenes, a show slaps a trendy pop song over a few generic clips and calls it development. This can feel hollow, telling the audience what to feel instead of letting them experience it organically. A truly great editor uses a montage sparingly, ensuring it serves a distinct purpose beyond simply filling time or manufacturing emotion. When overused, it becomes a sign that the storytellers couldn't figure out how to get from point A to point B in a more meaningful way.
Chasing 'Style' Over Story
In the age of high-concept television, there’s a temptation to make the editing as flashy as possible. Quick cuts, jarring transitions, and excessive visual effects can be effective when they serve the story’s tone—think of the controlled chaos in a well-edited action sequence. But sometimes, this style becomes the main event, pulling focus from the narrative itself. When editing calls attention to itself, it breaks the viewer’s immersion. The goal is to enhance the story, not to shout, “Look at this cool transition!” Emmy-worthy editing is often the work you don't notice, a seamless fusion of cuts and rhythms that makes the fictional world feel completely real. It serves the director’s vision and the actor’s performance without leaving its own fingerprints all over the scene.
Manufacturing Drama
This is a particularly notorious issue in reality television but can seep into scripted programming as well. It’s the art of creating a narrative in the edit bay that wasn't necessarily there on the day. An editor can create an argument by splicing together unrelated reaction shots or build tension with ominous music that the original scene didn't warrant. While the goal of editing is to shape footage into the best possible story, there's a line between enhancement and outright manipulation. This can lead to characters feeling inconsistent or plot points seeming unearned. The most powerful stories are those that feel authentic, and manipulative editing, while potentially creating a shocking moment, often sacrifices the long-term trust of the audience for a short-term thrill.
