The advancements happening in the film industry are nothing short of revolutionary. On full display this Oscars season with The Brutalist garnering much attention for its use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are entering a brave new era of cinema. What was once thought impossible is now being made possible thanks to the advances in technology as well as the implementation of AI.
As a film editor, Gege He stands at the front of this exciting new time. Known for her work on upcoming feature Noseeums as well as award winning short Eyes Like Your, she is no stranger to utilizing the latest technology during editing. Gege looks to advancements in AI to aid in creating new possibilities within the film industry through streamlining workflows while simultaneously augmenting creativity and producing a higher quality end product.
For Gege, the most significant advancements in video editing has been the use of AI to streamline the post-production process. She singles out ScriptSync, a part of Avid Media Composer, as one tool that has redefined possibilities. “ScriptSync is a more efficient way to line the script and help to organize the footage,” Gege explains. “AI-generated temporary ADR lines are also very helpful as placeholders for when an actor isn’t available. These lines are, of course, eventually replaced by the actor, but it saves a lot of time and effort in the meantime.”
The Noseeums editor notes that AI helps by clearing up the smaller time consuming tasks that often hold up the backend process. By improving efficiency it opens the door for the creatives to turn their attention elsewhere, “this frees up editors to focus on creative decision-making, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in video editing even further.” In the artistic world of cinema having more freedom to be creative allows for a richer final product.
While Gege notes the benefits of AI in the video editing process, she emphasizes that editing and creative careers in film ultimately come down to human intuition. “Technology has expanded what’s possible in editing, and it makes the workflow faster and more flexible. However, it’s important to remember that technology is just a tool to help us achieve our creative vision. At the end of the day, it’s the human behind the technology that makes the final call.”
One of the balancing acts currently happening in the cinema world has been the convergence of physical and digital film. Gege’s own work so far has only encompassed digital footage, but she is eager to delve into the world of physical film. “While digital editing has many advantages, I would love the opportunity to work with film. There’s something special about the tactile experience of working with physical film, and I think it would add a unique perspective to my editing work.”
Filmmakers have turned back to physical film in order to capture an aesthetic and feel that digital still has yet to master. It is a gentle reminder that while the limits of technology may be pushed, the old methods are still pertinent and create timeless works of art. It is this balance that editors strive to achieve, maintaining the authentic feel for films despite the added technological input. Gege explains that technology is just a tool to help achieve the desired outcome. “No matter how technology shifts, editing a film is still reliant on the human behind it. It’s up to us to use technology in a way that enhances the story, rather than detracts from it.”
While editing, Gege works closest with Avid Media Composer for film and DaVinci Resolve for color grading. She states that, “Avid Media Composer is a very reliable program that allows precision in cutting footage,” it of course contains ScriptSync, the tool utilized by The Brutalist to help them with foreign language scenes. Speaking on DaVinci Resolve, she says “it is very helpful for color grading, allowing me to fine-tune the look and feel of a film to match the desired aesthetic.”
These two apps mark just the latest improvement within an industry that is constantly pushing borders. Spurned on by the creatives who write, produce, direct, and edit films the pursuit of visual storytelling continues to evolve. Backed by human execution, film editing has seen a massive boost to productivity in recent years thanks to the introduction of AI. Gege believes that this harmonious balance will lead to an even richer cinematic experience moving forward.
From the camera equipment and lighting to the software used by editors, filmmakers work at the cutting edge of technology. Editor Gege He, lays out a future symbolized by efficiency with a dedication to visual artistry. She believes that with humans at the helm making critical decisions aided by the work rate of AI that we are entering a new era where the focus has been shifted from busy work to the final product. As Gege navigates the possibilities provided by new technologies, we eagerly await her new projects, each one a stepping stone in what looks to be an exciting cinematic career.
Source: Gege He Discusses the Cutting Edge Technology Behind Modern Video Editing
