SUMMARY OF PROGRAM CONTENT

The Journeys Below the Line program about the editing process has several facets that are interwoven throughout:
• Excerpts from a panel discussion of people directly involved with editing and script supervision for Fox’s series, 24.
• Video of the actual shooting and editing of scenes from 24.
• Comments from the script supervisor and editor as they are at work.
• Interviews with cast and crew members of 24 regarding their impressions and observations related to the editing process.

The content covered is as follows:

Introduction
• Actor Kiefer Sutherland begins the program by giving background information and introducing the panelists.
• Various panelists discuss how the show began and illustrate how the editing style of 24 evolved.

Script Supervisor
• Script supervisor Anne Melville talks about the various aspects of her job, all of which are illustrated with video of her at work while the cast and crew shoot a 24 scene in a Los Angeles metro station.
• Anne details working with the script in terms of pre-timing it, breaking it down, and checking it for continuity errors.
• While the program is being filmed, she writes down information about what all the cameras are shooting, about dialogue changes, and about items that need to be considered for continuity.
• She works with the actors on dialogue and continuity.

Assistant Editors
• Assistant editors Ann Parish and Larry Davenport show how they work with the script supervisor’s notes.
• Assistant editor Larry Davenport demonstrates how he prepares the footage for the editors.
• The assistant editors and members of the panel talk about the traits that are needed to be a successful assistant editor.

Editors
• Editor Scott Powell demonstrates how an editor makes decisions—in this case decisions related to building the opening scene using the footage shot in the metro.
• Actors talk about their respect for editors and how they have to take editing into considerations when they are acting.
• Panel members detail the shooting and editing schedule.
• Editor Chris Willingham and Scott illustrate how they approach a scene as they start editing and how they deal with a large volume of footage.
• Director John Cassar and Scott interact in the editing suite, viewing and discussing program material that Scott has edited.
• Editors and other panel members discuss how they handle different points of view on the editing of the program from producers, directors, the studio, and the network.

Postproduction Supervisor
• Paul Gadd and other panel members discuss the role of the postproduction supervisor in the timing of the show.
• They detail how Paul makes sure that everything is organized and ready by the airing deadline.
• Footage illustrates the postproduction supervisor’s duties in relation to looping and the final mix.

 

Questions from the Audience
Panel members answer the following questions:
• How did you break into the industry and make your way up to where you are now?
• How does an understanding of the editing process help in script supervision?
• When do you decide how to cut the program the way you want it as opposed to the way you think it will be accepted for airing?
• Do editors consider themselves to be artists or technicians?

Closing
• Chris, Paul, Anne, Scott, and Kiefer give closing remarks about the editing process.