A Film Editor’s Guide to Addressing Notes Without Losing Your Mind

Breathe. Don’t read. Don’t respond. Just sit and breathe.

If the notes are chronological—based on timecode—start at the end. This way, the time code will continue to be accurate.

Don’t read any comment longer than a sentence.

First glance is always worst. Breathe some more.

If a comment is less than a sentence and can be easily addressed, do so. If not, move on.

When working in Frame.io make sure to check off, then hide, completed items. This first pass is about clearing as much brush as quickly as possible.

As you skip around the timeline, don’t close new gaps in your sequence. (That way the timecode will remain accurate.) Simply label the area that needs work with a yellow label.

Once the easy tasks are complete, start over at the end of the notes.

Whittle you way through the second round of easy notes. If a comment looks like it might require considerable effort, skip it. Don’t even read the request.

When you come across a comment you don’t understand, note it on a separate piece of paper, then mark it resolved in Frame. This serves two purposes. The first is to get out of Frame and back to your timeline as soon as possible. The second is to compile a list of all questions and concerns to ask your producer or director all at the same time.

Likewise, if you disagree with a suggestion, note it on your paper list, mark it resolved in Frame, and move on.

If, after completing a simple note, it will take you significant time to further finesse the change, say retiming a piece of music, label the media yellow on the timeline. That way you can quickly see the areas that need addressing and keep working. In my experience, it’s psychologically easier to make my way through all of the notes before diving deeper.

Next, address the most significant comments. There’s something reassuring about knowing you have a handle on the majority of your notes before diving in to the time-sink issues. And remember, long comments can often hide a simple request.

Finally, start rewatching your project from the beginning. Correct any outstanding issues as you go, including the areas you previously marked yellow.

When you’re done, have a beverage.