Editing (last blog / next blog)
by Michael Neel & Greg Ansin

So your shoot is done, and you have all your raw footage. Now it is time to edit!

Eric Welsh hard at work at Chillhouse studios.

Who should cut the film? If possible, try to hire someone to cut the film who hasn't been involved in the production so far. The biggest reason for this is perspective. Your editor is your first audience, in a way. The audience that sees your finished film will never know all the hard work that went into every shot – sure, they know that you worked hard, but they don't know that this shot or that one was really difficult or time consuming unless you tell them.

Likewise, you want an editor with this same perspective. A good editor needs to be able to say “you should start a scene with this shot” or “this line can be cut, you don't need it.” The editor has no idea that one shot was harder than another, or what went on during filming. They just see the footage for what it is: acting, camerawork, sound. Those are the basic building blocks that an editor will use.

Post-Production work on "Pig".

Can I cut the film myself? Yes, of course you can. Many times, you will have to be the editor if you can't afford to hire someone else (or if you really like editing). If you cut your own film, it is essential that you put yourself in a different frame of mind. Forget being the on-set director or producer, and focus on the footage you have in front of you.

Do not force yourself on the film. Yes, it is your baby but you can not boss the footage around. You need to respond to what you have in your footage and make it work to the best it can.

You need to be brutal with your film. Every single thing that does not work needs to go, leaving just the best stuff. And that doesn't mean that you, your actors, and crew didn't do a good job. But sometimes a scene reads differently on paper and on set than it does when you watch it in context. Look at each scene and ask yourself, “Do we need every shot we have? Can we cut any lines from a scene and still get the same effect? Can the pace be quicker?"

99% of the time good editing means taking things out, not putting them in. There is a saying that you need to “kill your darlings”. This means that there might be things that you love for one reason or another but just don't work in the finished film. Recognize the film you are making and kill any darlings you need to (and trust us, there will still be plenty of darlings left in the final film).

There are many kinds of editing software out there, which makes editing much more accessible than it used to be. Find some online forums, read some reviews, and pick the software that is right for you. You will need a computer, and you might need to upgrade you current one or possibly get a new model. There are lots of websites where you can find good deals.

So go forth and cut!

What they are saying about the Drive-In Horrorshow....

"10 out of 10"
- From Infernal Dreams

"Drive-In Horrorshow delivers a visual feast of blood splatter and clever storytelling."
- From Fangoria

"Drive-In Horrorshow takes the anthology and juices it fully with five unique stories that range from clever comedy to dark body horror."
- From Deadly Doll's House of Horror Nonsense

"A well made anthology of short films."
- Zombie Movie Database

"Highly recommended for those who want to confront the monsters under the bed of their childhood. And as always find them scary."
- From I 400 Calci (translated from Italian)

"The general tone of this film struck me, because I've seen real passion for the genre."
- From Ulteriorit Precedente (translated from Italian)

"This is a high recommend from me, very entertaining and obviously done by filmmakers who love the genre. Long live the horror anthology!"
- From McBastard's Mausoleum

"Drive in Horror Show is–WITHOUT A DOUBT–the greatest horror anthology since George Romero's Creepshow"
- From Planet Fury

"I can't stop singing its praises."
- From Rogue Cinema

"If you like horror anthologies pick this one up, there's something for everyone here."
- From Deadly Indie Drive-In

"Every now and then a movie will come out that knocks you socks off and with its originality, creativity and magnetic appeal- well Drive in HorrorShow is that flick."
- From Angry Princess

"With a solid lineup of 5 stories that range from the serious to seriously goofy, Drive-In Horrorshow is the perfect film for a Friday night. Or any night for that matter."
- From Planet of Terror

"A tasty little anthology in the vein of Creepshow or Trick 'r Treat, Drive-In Horrorshow is a nifty treat of a film, well worth checking out." 
- From Radiation-Scarred Reviews

"A cut above the rest and slice of incredible independent filmmaking." 
- From Horrornews.net

"One of the most entertaining horror anthologies I have seen in a while."
- From KillingBoxx

"The horror world is a fickle beast but Drive-In Horror Show manages to walk the lines of the subgenres without missing a beat. It's appeal reaches to horror fans of all types."
-Bill Fulkerson from Outside The Cinema

"Celebrates the long-lost beauty of the drive-in theater and all its bloody glory."
- From Basement Screams

"A slick five tale anthology film that was independently made and a reminder of cool shit we used to see on late night TV when we were kids."
- From Gross Movie Reviews

"A good throw back to the late night creature feature."
- From Cinema Fromage

"Top notch effects that invoke fear and comedy at the same time.  I really really like this movie."
- Podcast at Movie Fan House

"Fantastic." 
-Podcast at Horrorstuff

Other Press:

"The horror! But that's what he seeks."
- The Boston Globe talks with the filmmakers

"What motivated you and Michael Neel to make the transition from candid interviews and political documentaries to ghoulish gore horror?"
- Pamela Torres at Punk Globe interviews DIHS producer Greg Ansin

"Wowzers! That really sounds like some good shit!"
- Arrow In The Head is psyched for the release of DIHS