Excellence is hard.
You pour countless hours into your masterpiece only to have a list of critiques sent back the very same day, and you don't even get credit for it! Without a doubt, one of the most challenging parts of being an editor is learning how to deal with client feedback. Forget pitching decks - they won't know about all that work if you send them feedback on their draft. Editing isn't as simple as making grammatical changes—you need to focus on how best can we communicate this information.
Of course, none of your audience members are going to know about all that. So you have to forget about it too.
There are lots of ways to deal with client feedback. For example, some editors like to do a visual effects pass and turn the whole thing around within 24 hours, while others may take weeks or months (which can be problematic for project timelines). But, at least you'll have more time on your hands than Stanley Kubrick, who reportedly spent over three years editing his final film "Eyes Wide Shut" before dying at 70 during post-production -note that this was after he had finished shooting it!
The most important thing is not so much how long it takes but rather what goes into each cut and why specific changes were made in the first place. So let's start there: Let's talk about some tips for dealing with feedback from clients. First, it's important to note that there are two kinds of feedback you can get when it comes to VFX or motion graphics:
Firstly, avoid trying to please everyone and stick with your gut instincts -when in doubt, trust yourself over other people's opinions because you know the ins and outs of VFX better than anyone else (and if they don't like something about the VFX for whatever reason, find out exactly why).
Secondly, take a step back before showing any work-in-progress renders – this will give you time to reflect on what works, doesn't work and allows others some insight into how things might look after post-production has been completed. Remember, good VFX is an art form and should never be rushed (or take too much longer than expected).
Thirdly, your VFX works best when the client sees it in context - visual effects are about adding new layers and depth to an existing shot. This helps them understand what has been done and gives you a better idea of how they feel about those VFX shots.
Fourthly, don't forget that visuals should help tell the story – if your shots are doing more harm than good, this means taking another route (or reworking certain elements).
Finally, don't be afraid to ask for feedback on VFX from other members of your team!
Always remember that your client is paying you to give them something they need. It might not be what they expected, but it's essential that everyone works together and respects each other during the feedback process. If all goes well, then VFX will take a couple of weeks instead of months - perfect for those on-set jobs in television or film!
As an editor, visual effects can feel overwhelming at times – there are many moving parts with these shots. If you aren't getting regular feedback from your VFX artist (or team), then chances are things won't look as good as initially anticipated. I can definitively recommend to anyone in this industry that you work closely with your VFX team to ensure premium quality. If you're working on visuals in your video editing job, whether it's motion graphics or anything else that requires VFX, make sure everyone collaborates and communicates well together.
If the VFX artist(s) aren't giving you regular feedback throughout the process of creating these shots (or sequences) for a client, there may be some serious issues going on behind the scenes which need immediate attention; otherwise, they could end up costing both parties valuable time.
For those who would like a little more background on my role as lead visual effects supervisor, please refer to my website portfolio at matthewpenkala.com
