how long should it take to edit a 20 minute short?

TThere is no way to answer that. There are way too many variables, how much material, too much, too little, how good's the script, how well it's shot, directed, how good's the sound, how good's the editor, how good on the equipment being used. Depends how long the change list is too.

I have been editing a 20 minute short with other people since 1995...and we still fight .

And I bet it aint finished yet!

How long is a piece of string?

(the distance between the beginning and the end)

Get the answer before you start.

it will be easier then.

xfggfx wrote:

How long is a piece of string?

Double the length of half of it. 🙂

Al

As the other contributors have said:

Too many variables to make an accurate judgement.

A starting point on average is one hour per finished minute.

Al

WHat the other said...

but I dare to say:

if it's a 'simple' just-cutting job, doing that full time, it should be manageable within 2 months.

if it is a 'private' editor, working a few hours per weekend, lots of comp parts, tons of colo correction, zillions of audio clips, it could indeed need some time, ....

another factor is YOU!

did you just dumped a few gigabytes of raws and told your editor "glue it together!"?

does any sort of script exist?

does the editor allows you watching "work in progress" and you like "can we change this and that, and no and yes, and I dunno?"

😝

FInal word about payday:

traditionally, you pay a third on signing the contract, a third when project actually starts and the last third when you decide "ok, done"

giving away 90% when project is in its beginning is't that ...... Smart, hm 😉

I've read your post several times. Here's what I see: an inexperienced producer who has found it is very easy to blame the staff. But that's based on the information and the tone in your post.

External editors and effects houses work from accurate scripts, storyboards, and clear instructions that allow them to meet mutually agreeable and achievable contractual deadlines. Sure, you may have hired incompetents or fools or ripoff artists but it's not likely. You've got took at the quality, professionalism, and thoroughness of your contributions to this project as closely as you are examining and criticising theirs.

Production is a collaborative and volatile craft. It can all go wrong in an instant with the wrong thing said, unclear or unrealistic expectations, a rude or ignorant or brittle member of the staff, sudden illness, busted computer, or a better or more lucrative or more fun job comes along and someone vanishes. Any of these things happens…and everything changes.

If you've figured out you're not 50% of the problem, put on your big boy pants (or big girl pants) and make some phone calls. Get everyone in the same room, figure out what went wrong without placing blame, how you're all going to work together to fix it, and set some realistc goals. Do this over lunch in a quiet room and, since your'e the producer, you pay the bill.

Umm, you should be prepared emotionally to find out you're 50% of the problem.

Good comment David and words of widom. I actually do not understand such a stupid question as OP asked.

Nothapy wrote:

Thanks for the input innocentius. Very helpful.

So how did this gig work out?

Did you complete a nice production, something you're all proud of?

Were you part of the problem?

Still friends with this guy?

Di you have to fire him?

Did he fire you?

Are you both lawyering up and headed for court?