260 The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, 4E

Figure 12.6

Multi-camera editing in Avid Media Composer.

Advanced Features

In addition to editing methods, there are a number of interface and utility features that you should look for when choosing an editing package.

Good keyboard controls are a must, as it’s much easier to develop an editing rhythm by punching keys than by moving a mouse. Also look for multiple Undos (at least 15 levels) and automatic Save and Backup features, all of which will help you recover from mistakes.

In addition, look for the following features when assessing editing apps:

nMatch Frame: Instead of having to search through all your bins and shots to find a source file that you’ve already added to your timeline, if your editor provides a Match Frame feature, you simply park your cursor on a frame in your timeline and then press the Match Frame button. The source clip appears in your source viewer. Related to Match Frame is the Find Clip or Find Bin command that opens the bin in which a shot is located.

nAudio scrubbing: Most editing systems let you scrub through the audio, which means that as you slowly scroll through a clip, the audio plays back in slow motion along with the video. This is a must for finding a particular sound, such as a pause in a line of dialogue or the beat in a piece of music.