Albert Maysles - The importance of a good editor (72/97)

To listen to more of Albert Maysles’ stories, go to the playlist: • Albert Maysles - Thoug...
Albert Maysles (1926-2015) was known for his important documentaries on Muhammad Ali, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. He pioneered the documentary style known as Direct Cinema and helped create techniques still used in modern documentary production and in reality TV. [Listeners: Sara Maysles, Rebekah Maysles and Tamara Tracz; date recorded: 2004]
TRANSCRIPT: I learned long ago, especially when I worked with my fellow filmmakers on "Primary" that my contribution is in getting access to people, coming up with story ideas along with my brother, but primarily as the person behind the camera. I tried my hand at editing and I just- I'm of such a makeup that with each moment of editing I just can't make up my mind, and I'll come up with one idea then go to another and it becomes an endless procedure that never acts to complete anything. So I've never edited after that and I've relied on people who are extremely successful at that and I've been so pleased that people like Charlotte Zwerin have worked with us.

[@jessimmersimqueen]

Editing your own work can be tricky because you were there making it so it's hard to step outside of yourself... To see the footage you shot from a fresh perspective. Editing is the hardest part I think. It's just footage but the editor makes it into a story. I used to hate editors getting hold of my writing. But they often saw things I didn't.