I think it is very important how experienced you are before looking on new editing software. I mentioned AVID experience before on one of the first "Studio Shoot" posts. I would say it is very complicated editing software, it took me time to figure out how the tools are called. They are very different from other companies. 

My first "VIDEO EDITING" experience I gained when I was 16. It was Sony Vegas Pro. 

---------------------- The Edit ----------------------

I don't what exactly but I like a lot more how you can manage your files in Avid Media Composer than in any other video editing software.

I said the software looked like from 90ies because of the interface so I looked up how to change that, setting > interface and made it darker. It looked more like "Premiere". I think bright interface just takes my attention where I don't need it. In a dark one, nothing else interrupts me. Maybe it is just in my mind, but generally, I felt a lot better and more focused on the whole editing process.

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At the first glance, I had no confidence about what I am doing. I began with the 1st scene, put some in and out points, dropped on the timeline and did some synchronizing with a sound together. After 2 hours of an edit, I realized that I have to make more sense of my edit. Am I going for sad mood? Am I going for an experimental film? 

I looked through and some of the files did not make sense to me. There was one missing scene, which needed to be simulated by another hospital scene, I thought, it will be too obvious. I missed already one day being ill and I was in a bit stressful situation. 

Over sudden, I did not like the idea of the clock. I took that away and use another method of editing. I am not sure who said that but it keeps repeating in my mind, the film must look good even without the sound. 

I wanted to keep nowaday look, a bit futuristic, so I kept hospital scenes where the doctor passes them an iPad to show the results, I liked the fact how things have been changed over the time.

...THE STORY...

Things have changed and they will change more over the years. "Exhale, My Love" in my interpretation is twisted a little bit. Watching the footage I realize how cold are they without speaking to each other. It is not the script that makes like that, but the environment and their behaviors that make the mood. I loved the fact how everything in my film is pretty quiet and moody. 

At the very beginning, Elliot starts coughing and they appear in a doctor's office. Bella and he are very worried about the news, the possibility of cancer. On the first evening, she tries to cheer him up with a campaign. He starts coughing again, Bella calls an ambulance. New results show that he has a lung cancer. These results are serious and Bella cannot take that. She leaves him at the dinner. Next day, Elliot listens to a soundtrack. He remembers moments in winter, Bella smiling, singing to him. Bella hears the music, she comes to the room and leans on the wall. Elliot realizes that and helps her to stand up. He pulls her closer to the body and starts dancing. They both know that Elliot has to go soon. They cannot be together for long. Elliot inhales to say last words to Ella.

I cut the clips without any sound and put on the timeline. I got used to tools that are on the left side of the timeline. Selecting single, selecting groups, deselect certain files or track, drag them, change them on the timeline. All tools are very different from Adobe. 

Colour correction. I did curves and basic contrast, brightness adjustments. Different scenes I used different filters. The light was not the same so used contrast and brightness as well. Later on, I offset my film using all four RGB curves and import a letterbox. When I had my letterbox on I had an option to move static files digitally. I tilt few static shots so there is a slight movement. Another reason for the letterbox - I have always the feeling that can't see all information if the image or video file is closer to the ratio 1:1 (square). I think - because how our eyes are positioned we need to have a square for each eye. That would be like 1:2. I feel like 16:9 is not really what I want to focus on. when the file has this frame around I am focusing more on the picture where the operator wants me to look at.

For tablet shots I used pan, tilt, resize and rotation tool to zoom out. I changed keyframe style as well so it is not so linear, but is very smooth and nice. One of the following shots I used stabilization FX. For Elliots dream scene, where Bella is in the snow, I used film grain illusion FX, I used frame morph so frames blend in next to each other. For particular shots, I used also glow effect. 

The sound was difficult for me at first. Although I had everything neatly organized I had issues with synchronizing sounds. In like 4 hour time I got my way around and everything was in time. I keyframed volume and blended sounds together. I used bensound.com to download a music file "Sad Day".

Credits were easy and especially rolling ones. I think Avid has thought about this part. The title sequence was very easy to work out. I liked the process of it.

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As a camera operator, I had huge responsibilities of the film overall. I had to rely on my assistant Ivan and get directions from DoP (TJ). Our first day's first take was an hour later than planned. I knew that I have to do my job spotless so there is no time delay because of me.

I tried to focus only on my role, so I do mine as good as I can. I heard shouts on other team members and how they have done their roles wrong or not in time because they were focusing on something else during the shoot.
I did and didn't like to work in a team for several reasons.
I liked because I have one job to do and focus on. I am very technical and I like to be next to the gear. I was happy for my role and I understood everything that I was told - different wishes and suggests for framing and movement. I didn't like it because I saw how some of us were sitting down and not doing what they are supposed to do. I just hate slow workflow. I don't like to rush, but I don't like that there are people who can do their roles fast and quick and then there are members who even don't think what they have to do in first place. I liked to work in a team because you know who are your people. What I mean is that there is only one person who can help me - in this case - Ivan Camera assistant and only one person who I have to ask help or tell the problem - TJ - DoP. Roles make a big difference. It is not confusing, I don't have to run around to look for help or even ask random people who I have to look for.

I got this feeling when I am working on my own. If there is a problem I cannot solve, it might be a nightmare to find a solution from others.

I think it was a great experience. It also proved how contacts are made in this industry, simple if you are bad once, you are not going to be picked up next time. Certain roles are made for certain people. Not everyone is in the right place, but when they find it, they can manage it professionally without no doubt.

The image of one of the tutorials. We were editing two person dialogue in an office. We had few camera angles and needed to edit them in a certain order so it is pleasant to watch. Editing is art itself. You have to make sense and actual taste of the way how feelings work to each other. Using only cuts you are in charge who from both character is more dominative. You can make stressful or calm environment using time ad only tool for cuts. Different  styles of editing can completely change the mood of the whole story.

It is easier to import, faster previews and I prefer tools like cut, mark, stick together. They just work much smoother.

Using Avid for few week I have pulled out some good points to mention. Using it for broadcast and having quick simple edits it is perfect. Audiences today expect content to be delivered in the format in which they want to watch. Live TV broadcast. Streaming media. Blu-ray or DVD. On demand. On a mobile device. With Sorenson Squeeze Lite—included with Media Composer subscriptions or as part of the Media Composer | Production Pack—you can optimize media for the highest quality playback online or on disc. 

Not only fast transcoding is a huge benefit, but also sharing whole projects real time for editing. When it’s crunch time, collaboration is key. Media Composer makes it a breeze. Share media, projects, and bins to complete projects on time. Share assets using Avid shared storage. Collaborate with Final Cut, Premiere, and other editors. Share sound mixes with Pro Tools editors. Integrate directly with iNEWS and ENPS systems with the Media Composer | NewsCutter Option. And extend real-time production everywhere with Media Composer | Cloud.

Apart from sharing media and transcoding to life stream I really can't see reasons why it is better than Adobe products.  In my opinion, I will use it on big production teams where we have to work fast and simple as possible, quick colour editing, quick transferring between other editors and ease access to video materials. I have to agree that Avid has much better in preparing material for editing, it has all support plugins for certain camera formats. 

It can be the hardest job on the crew. While everyone else is on a break, the Camera Assistant is usually working. Camera Assistants are usually the first people to start work and the last people to finish.

Main things they have to focus on:

1. Adjusting the camera lens or 'pulling focus' to follow the action on set

2. Managing and maintaining camera equipment and accessories

3. Following instructions from the Director or Director of Photography (DoP)

But to do all that you have to have excellent knowledge of cameras, lenses and all related equipment. He or She has to do a lot of homework, keep up-to-date with newest techniques and equipment. They have to be good at judging distances, have agility and speed. they have to pay precise attention to details. As the last but not less important they have to know about health and safety legislation and procedures.

What does a First Camera Assistant do?

As it is impossible to see whether the focus is sharp until the rushes (raw footage) are screened, 1st ACs rely on experience and instinct for each focal adjustment. Because re-shooting scenes is expensive and actors may be unable to recreate their best take

1st ACs are also responsible for camera equipment such as lenses, filters and matt boxes and for assembling the camera and its accessories for different shots.

They arrive on set or in the studio before the Director, Director of Photography and Camera Operator and ensure that the camera and all required lenses are prepared for the day's shoot. If the Director or DoP wants to try out a specific lens, the 1st AC assembles the camera so that they can look through the eyepiece to assess the shot. At the end of each shooting day, 1st ACs clean the equipment and pack it up in preparation for the next day.

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Main things they have to focus on:

To be able to that they have to have to know about all camera equipment, film stocks and processing techniques. They have to have understanding of all camera department paperwork and administration. that's why they have excellent organisation skills. They have to be fast, communicate effectively, focused on details and also know about health and safety regulations and procedures.

What does a Second Camera Assistant do?

During the shoot, 2nd ACs begin work early in the mornings, unloading, organising and preparing all of the camera equipment for each day's work. During rehearsals, they mark-up the Actors' positions, enabling the 1st AC to calculate any changes in focus. When the camera starts to roll, 2nd ACs mark each take with a clapperboard, which identifies the take and enables the Assistant Editor to synchronise the sound and picture in preparation for editing.
2nd ACs position themselves next to the camera, where they can anticipate all camera movements and monitor how much film stock is being used. They must know when a new film magazine should be prepared. At the end of each shooting day, 2nd ACs pack away all the equipment, label up film cans and dispatch them to the labs with detailed camera sheets.