A paper cut in editing refers to the process of pre-editing video or audio content by organizing and arranging textual transcripts, rather than working directly with visual or auditory media on a timeline. It's an essential step in creating a paper edit, which serves as a detailed script or blueprint for the final video or audio production.
Understanding the "Paper Edit"
The "paper edit" is a foundational stage in many editing workflows, particularly for documentary, interview-heavy, or unscripted content. It's called "paper" because the work is primarily done with text—often printed transcripts or digital documents—before touching an editing software's timeline.
Key Components of a Paper Edit:
- Arranged Transcripts: The core of a paper edit consists of quotes from the transcripts, arranged in order. This means selecting the most compelling or relevant dialogue and placing it in the desired sequence.
- Source References: Each selected quote clearly references its source video and timecode. This crucial detail allows editors to quickly locate the exact moment in the raw footage when they move to the timeline.
- Additional Notes: Paper edits often include notes for accompanying visuals, b-roll, or music. These annotations guide the editor on what supplementary media should be used to support the dialogue, enriching the narrative and visual flow.
- Editor's Insights: May also contain notes on emotional beats, desired pacing, or specific transitions.
How a "Paper Cut" Works
A "paper cut" is essentially an individual decision within the broader paper editing process. When you "paper cut," you are:
- Reviewing Transcripts: Reading through detailed, time-coded transcripts of all interview footage, voice-overs, or sound bites.
- Identifying Key Moments: Highlighting or marking compelling statements, strong narratives, and relevant information.
- Selecting Dialogue: Choosing specific sentences or phrases that will be included in the final piece. Each selection is a "cut" made on paper.
- Sequencing: Arranging these selected textual "cuts" into a coherent and compelling narrative flow, much like writing a script.
- Annotating: Adding notes for visuals, sound effects, music, or other elements that will accompany the dialogue.
For example, if an interviewee says, "I realized then that everything had changed [00:15:32]," a paper cut would be the decision to include that specific quote and its timecode in the paper edit, perhaps with a note like "[Insert archival footage of event]".
Practical Steps to Making a Paper Cut:
- Generate Accurate Transcripts: Use reliable transcription services or software. Google Cloud Speech-to-Text or specialized transcription services are common tools.
- Read and Highlight: Go through the transcripts, highlighting powerful quotes, key information, and emotional beats.
- Extract and Arrange: Copy and paste selected text into a new document, arranging it into the desired narrative order. Ensure timecodes are always included.
- Add Visual/Audio Cues: Insert notes for B-roll, specific graphics, music changes, or sound effects next to the relevant dialogue.
- Review and Refine: Read the entire paper edit aloud to check for flow, pacing, and clarity. Make adjustments as needed.
Benefits of Paper Cutting
Using the paper cut method offers numerous advantages, streamlining the post-production process and enhancing storytelling.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Efficient Storytelling | Focuses purely on narrative and content, allowing story structure to be perfected before visual editing. |
| Time Saving | Reduces time spent scrubbing through footage; edits are largely planned out. |
| Collaboration | Easily shareable text documents facilitate feedback from directors, producers, and clients. |
| Cost-Effective | Minimizes costly re-edits on the timeline by finalizing story decisions early. |
| Clarity & Focus | Helps maintain a clear editorial vision, preventing getting lost in raw footage. |
Paper Cut vs. Timeline Editing
While a "paper cut" is a textual pre-edit, timeline editing is the subsequent stage where video and audio files are actually assembled in software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro. The paper edit acts as the script, guiding the editor as they physically make cuts, add transitions, effects, and mix audio on the digital timeline.
The paper cut allows for rapid iteration on the story itself, whereas timeline editing focuses on the craft of visual and auditory execution.
A paper cut is not a literal incision but a conceptual selection and arrangement of dialogue on paper (or a digital document) that forms the backbone of a video or audio project. It's a powerful tool for crafting compelling narratives efficiently.
