Thank you. This means a lot to me because in my mind, this means it isn't the equipment which determines whether a video is good or not when its done, but the skill of the editor... AND the fact the things I learned (and employ) in my videos are still being taught/picked up today.
I'm not such a dinosaur after all
I think it really depends on the song, the film (subject matter) and what you are trying to convey. For example, my "Young Guns II" video has a ton of beat editing (cutting on the beat)... But this is because the song is a hard rocking power ballad which demands it in my opinion and I don't think it is intrusive.
On the flip side, I also did "The Fugitive" (Harrison Ford) that uses a ton of beat editing and even I will admit the video is hard to watch now because it is too damn fast. Also, the song I chose is only 3:00 minutes long in its entirety and I wanted to tell the story of "The Fugitive" within those three minutes and if you've seen TF, you know the film is ripe with great visuals you
have to show let alone the non-dramatic parts (looks; glances; small actor movements) which can also be used to give a music video substance and resonance.
The film major in me can't help but comment movement on film is an illusion -- as is 3D depth and the passage of time -- Which is why I personally focus on lyrical and beat editing more in my videos which differentiates my style from yours and everyone else's out there and so on and so forth.
I personally don't think there has been any real shift other than non-linear editing being more efficient as far as organizing your source material before it is edited. Yes. You can do special effects like wipes, fades and other things linear editing doesn't allow... But, in my opinion, its not the equipment of the era which defines whether someone is a skilled editor or not. It is talent and whatever training (if any) they have AND most importantly, whether they can execute that natural talent and/or training IN the videos/projects they edit. Some can and some cannot. That is life.
I do, however, believe non-linear and digital editing has unfortunately spawned a new kind of editing paradigm which is (was) synonamous with MTV and that is the "cut-cut-cut" style of editing where there is nothing on screen for more than two seconds. In my opinion, I think this is the negative aspect of non-linear editing and a lot of editors do it simply because they can when they shouldn't and it is not needed... And I am talking about commercial, professional editors and not just amateur music video makers.
Anyway, thank you for the kind words and discussion.
Not to alienate others on this thread...
But the things SilverSun and I discuss -- and demonstrate with our videos -- Is something everyone here can do if they just take the time to observe how music videos they like are done and then try and imitate them. You don't need formal training. Just watch music videos you like over and over again and analyze the style and what you liked and eventually, if you keep at it you will develope your own signature style as a result.
Oh, and before I go, here is another awesome vid I found on You Tube:
VIDEO
It is the film "Unleashed" with Jet Li and the song is "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi. This is another example of the perfect blend of a song that fits the film perfectly (both thematically and visually) and great editing.
