With pre-production complete, my montage project for Thread By Thread Boutique has moved into the production and post-production stages. This is where the creative vision truly takes shape, transforming my ideas into a polished final product.

To ensure everything ran smoothly, I dove into some research on video editing strategies. These insights not only shaped my approach but also gave me the confidence the bring this story to life.

Before I take you through that process, let me share the most valuable lessons I learned from my research.

Reading & Writing

The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel

In Chapter 10 of The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video, we learn that editing is where you have true control over how the audience experiences your story. Your choices here must be intentional, and you should give your viewers enough time to absorb information without unnecessary surprises (unless surprises serve your purpose). Separating yourself from the director or writer’s perspective, even if you were both, helps you focus on what’s best for the viewer. The amount of off-screen effort doesn’t matter in the final product; if a shot doesn’t work, it should be cut.

The author also recommends starting with an establishing shot and using wide-angle shots to reorient the audience throughout the program. This keeps them grounded in the setting, allowing them to focus on the details that matter. The chapter states that “each time you cut to a new shot, your viewers expect to see something different” (p. 129). If viewers can’t tell whether they’re seeing a new shot, they’ll be pulled away from the story, making varied composition critical. Pacing also helps convey tone and emotion. The general rule is to stay with a shot as long as it remains effective, then cut to something new.

Sound plays an equally important role in editing. Techniques like L-cuts and reverse L-cuts, where audio overlaps into a different visual clip, help maintain flow and intrigue by connecting scenes seamlessly. Ambient audio and sound effects can enhance immersion, while background music reinforces tone and pacing without overpowering narration or visuals (a key tip is that background music should remain in the background). Effective sound editing requires organization, like using separate tracks for different audio elements, and attention to detail, such as smooth fade-ins and fade-outs for music.

Finally, you as the editor must separate yourself from your edits to judge it properly. Step back and look at your work as if you’ve never seen it before. Your standard should remain consistent, which means you’re always putting your best work forward.

Research to Inform

Whiplash (2014)

The 2014 movie Whiplash uses precise pacing to convey the unrelenting pressure on the main character, Andrew. As a young jazz drummer trying to pave his way in an esteemed music conservatory, Andrew is pushed to his breaking point by an abusive instructor. As a result, the movie unfolds at a quick clip, escalating the tension at key moments. Below is a scene from one of Andrew’s practice sessions where you can feel his brutal drive to be the best he can be. The pace fluctuates from just milliseconds to uncomfortably long stretches of intensity.

Barbie (2023)

The transportation montages in the 2023 movie Barbie effectively convey the passage of time. What makes this even more interesting is the editors’ use of wipes, where elements within each scene serve as the transition mechanism. For instance, in the clip below, director Greta Gerwig explains the creative choices behind the montages, including a lighthouse wiping away an ocean scene to reveal outer space.

Infinity War (2018)

Marvel consistently excels at bringing movies to life through exceptional post-production editing. In the Avengers: Infinity War trailer, the emotional intensity is evident not just because of the acting, but also through the transitions. For example, at 0:04, a crossfade draws a parallel between two scenes, and at 0:07, a fade to black gives the audience a moment to process before moving forward. These examples set the tone and immediately grab the viewer’s attention.

Create

My next step was to apply this newfound knowledge at the boutique, where I captured all my footage. This process was especially enjoyable, as it allowed me to experiment with different tripod positions, scene setups, and camera settings using my Nikon D5600.

Once the clips were ready, I transitioned into Adobe Premier Pro and began editing. Choosing an upbeat yet soothing background track established the style for the montage, and syncing the cuts to the beat made the pacing feel natural and engaging. With a touch of narration via lav mic, the final montage came together just as I had envisioned. You can check out my completed work below!