EDITOR
The Editor is the most important person on a production
after the picture is in the can.
A good editor sometimes saves a badly-conceived or poorly-shot picture
in the cutting.
A great editor cuts a good picture into a gem.
There isn't enough I can say about the importance of the
editing process. Ironically most of today's productions are badly
edited. I think it has to do with the ease of the new video editing
technology -- now all computerized -- which has enabled the directors
and sometimes the producers in cutting their own pictures.
There are some directors and especially many film makers who are great
editors; but, these are the exceptions that prove the rule. It's a
terrible idea for most film makers to cut their own
pictures! They usually botch them beyond redemption. This is also the
main reason why so many pictures are never finished.
It takes a long time to learn how to edit a movie;
therefore, hire the Editor very carefully. Screen some of their films.
And hire the Editor to work during the production. The Editor can sync
up the track as you go. If there are necessary shots or inserts, the
Editor can alert you to them. There are all kinds of wonderful
suggestions the editor can give you during the production. But, do be
careful that the Editor doesn't take over as director, especially if
you have a moron of an investor on the set!