Book Review
A New Handbook for
Avid Assistants"The Digital Editing Room Handbook:
An Assistant Editor's Guide To The Avid"by Tony Solomons, Hazeldean House, 1997
Reviewed by Robert BrakeyNow that the Avid has gone through its breakthrough and is now in place in the majority of editing rooms, one issue is yet unresolved: how has this digital revolution changed the nature of our jobs? In the case of the assistant editor, he or she finds himself or herself in an almost completely transformed job from just a few years ago, requiring a much more expansive range of specific technical expertise. Assistants used to speak in feet and frames, now they have to be fluent in timecode formats, sample rates, video resolutions, telecine logs, cut list and EDL formats, video transfer specs, and computer diagnostics. Changing a splicer blade is nothing new; rebuilding media databases is. Similarly, a broken KEM has always been a problem and maybe a crisis; now, unfortunately, so are error -36 messages and offline media.
Assistant editor and Editors Guild member Tony Solomons has compiled the basics of the Avid in his new book, "The Digital Editing Room Handbook: An Assistant Editor's Guide to the Avid." This book provides both a broad overview of the Avid as well as detailed step-by-step instructions on everyday procedures such as digitizing and generating change lists. All of this has been outlined in a linear, logical structure that takes the reader from setting up cutting-rooms and organizing Avid projects through conforming workprint to turning over elements to the sound department and preparing for the final mix. A comprehensive index has also been added to help an assistant find answers quickly.
The book excels especially in taking concepts such as 3:2 pulldown and duplicate media and explaining them in clear and familiar English. In this respect, Tony's handbook is an excellent introductory-level manual for assistants either starting their first Avid job or making the transition from film or video to digital non-linear. For the already Avid-familiar, Tony has included details about the new features (and headaches) of Film Composer 6.5, with screen shots of such improvements as the Audio Punch In Tool and the revamped Digitize Tool and Cut List interfaces. Complemented with "Avid Media Composer Techniques and Tips" by Steve Cohen, "The Digital Editing Room Handbook" is a worthwhile read for any assistant and a useful addition to any Avid editing room.
This book is available for the special rate of $30 (inc. tax & shipping) to Guild members from:
Hazeldean House
P.O.Box 57831
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413.
Robert Brakey is an assistant editor.