The Lost Art of In-Camera Editing and Intentional Filmmaking
Patty Mooney is the VP of Crystal Pyramid Productions and New & Unique Videos, a video producer, editor, and mountain biker who has been shaping the world of video production for over four decades
One of the most important yet often overlooked skills in filmmaking is the art of in-camera editing—a practice that not only sharpened our instincts but also made us more intentional storytellers.
There was a Time When Every Shot Mattered
Back in the days of analog video, every frame mattered. We didn’t have the luxury of shooting endless takes and sorting it out in post-production. Every decision—when to start recording, how to frame a shot, when to stop—was made with precision. Editing wasn’t a safety net; it was an extension of the creative process that started before the camera even rolled.
Because film stock and videotape weren’t cheap, we had to be hyper-aware of composition, lighting, and movement. You couldn’t just shoot for hours and “fix it in post.” You had to feel the story unfolding in real time, anticipate what was coming next, and adapt on the spot. There was an urgency to it—a necessity to be present behind the camera.
That’s something I think modern filmmakers could really benefit from: stepping away from over-reliance on technology and embracing the discipline of committing to a shot with full awareness of its role in the final edit.
The Power of In-Camera Editing
In-camera editing is a technique where you mentally piece together your film as you shoot, minimizing the need for extensive post-production. This means:
Avoiding excess footage—filming only what’s needed instead of sorting through hours of unnecessary content.
Read the entire article here – https://videoproducer.io/insight/the-lost-art-of-in-camera-editing-and-intentional-filmmaking/
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