In this new edition of "In The Editor's Chair", we had the privilege of chatting with Cyrille, also known for his YouTube channel "Secrets de monteur pro". Cyrille unveils his fascinating journey as a chief editor, sharing his passion for the art of editing with us. An engaging interview that promises to inspire and enrich video amateurs and professionals alike.

BACKGROUND & PROJECTS

Can you introduce yourself briefly?

My name is Cyrille, and I am a documentary chief editor for television.

A chief editor is a post-production professional who directs the editing of an audiovisual project, turning raw sequences into a smooth and coherent narrative while closely collaborating with the creative team.

How did you start, and what has your journey been like so far?

I started by making an amateur short film with friends more than 25 years ago. It was not something I planned to do in my life. But, unexpectedly, people around me thought I had skills in filming and editing. Quickly, I started receiving requests like "could you film my cousin's wedding?" and I'd get paid for it. I took those opportunities, and gradually, I got more and more involved. Initially, I was mostly making wedding films. Then, slowly, I realized I should seriously consider professionalizing my skills. That's how I discovered that what truly pleased me was editing, much more than filming. I then sought to join a company, notably through a VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) program advised by the employment center. Essentially, you find a company to intern with, and they assess your skills. The goal was mainly to get a foot in the door and prove my worth to the company in question. This is what I managed to achieve with a small company in Rouen. I worked there for about two or three years, I think. And little by little, I thought I needed to aim higher, which is how I started reaching out to TV channels. With a bit of luck and good contacts, I quickly found an opportunity with a company in Paris that helped me a lot. Even though this company no longer exists today, the relationships I built there opened many doors and ultimately shaped my entire career.

Why did you start YouTube and what were your motivations?

To be honest, I've been wanting to get started for a long time, but without a specific goal. It intrigued me, just like it intrigues many people. In 2023, I finally decided to take the leap. There are always things you want to do, but you often tell yourself you don't have time because of work. At some point, I decided to stop making excuses and went for it. So, I did it, just like that. My goal was, and still is, the same, to share my knowledge through tutorials. I quickly realized that I was discovering a new world. I had my bearings in editing, I was familiar with the production company environment, whether for corporate films, commercials, or TV. On the other hand, everything happening online was new to me. It was like diving headfirst into something already huge, with lots of things to explore. So, I thought, let's see what I can contribute to this universe.

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

We got in touch recently and from a specific moment, you switched to DaVinci Resolve. Why did you switch from PPro to DVR?

Actually, I haven't really given up one for the other. At work, I continue using Premiere Pro. It's still my main software for the job. However, at home, I work with DaVinci Resolve. Mainly because it's much cheaper, but also because it's used in almost all the companies where I might work. I tell myself that maybe one day, we will change software, as it sometimes happens in this field, and that DVR might become our main tool. So, I decided it would be better to familiarize myself with DVR so that if a change were to happen, I'd already be ready. It's been about eight months now that I've been using it for my personal projects.

Is there anything you miss on DaVinci?

In terms of features, no, not really. In fact, DaVinci even has more features than Premiere, so it would be rather the opposite. And as you know, I have a way of working where I almost never use plugins. Nowadays, many people are used to working mostly with plugins or presets; which means that when they switch software, they fear starting from scratch and losing everything. However, by working manually, it allows me to adapt quickly. There are indeed a few small changes, but in pure editing, the differences are minimal. Except for maybe one or two keyboard shortcuts that I might miss, nothing important is missing for now.

How did you discover AutoCut?

I had already heard about you thanks to some people in my network and among those who follow me on social media, as some use it. So, I already knew about AutoCut. However, since I have my own working habits and don't really rely on plugins, I hadn't looked into it further until we started working together, and I fully discovered your tool.

What is your video creation process?

It really depends on the periods. Right now, as I'm working in production, it's a bit more complicated to find time. Before starting these projects, I had more availability and a more or less set routine: I wake up very early, and by 7 am, I'm already operational. Generally, I go to a café near my home to write until 9-10 am, depending on my inspiration. And that's every day. Then, if I have content ready to be shot, I film it in the morning. For small videos, I shoot in the morning, then edit in the afternoon, and post in the evening. And when it's more significant projects, I start by shooting a first version to have a base. Then, I rewrite and reshoot until I get a result that satisfies me. At the moment, for example, I'm working on a video that has been in the writing and shooting process for almost a month. I take the time to refine it without pressuring myself to publish quickly, I prefer the content to perfectly suit me.

TRENDS & FUTURE

In your opinion, how has video editing evolved in recent years, and what is AI's role in this evolution?

I haven't yet really noticed the direct impact of AI in my daily work. There are indeed some features that are gradually appearing in our apps. For instance, tools like Autocut can offer something for certain types of projects, but in the context of my documentaries, for example, I don't yet see how I could use it. Applications have integrated AI features for a while now. For example, in Premiere Pro, there's a feature that allows automatically lengthening music tracks. It's quite handy to avoid manually creating loops, but I don't use it systematically because it doesn't always pick the music parts I'd prefer. I still end up doing it manually to achieve the exact outcome I want. I consider my work somewhat like craftsmanship. I prefer doing things by hand, giving me better control over the final result. I'm not in the race for speed to be profitable like some people who need to deliver quickly. On my side, I prioritize quality over speed. That's why, despite the emphasis on time-saving by numerous plugins, it isn't really a determining factor for me.

How do you see the new generation and editing? New techniques? Or even the arrival of editing courses?

So, some people in this field sell courses without genuine passion or interest in the subject behind it. Their main objective is to sell overpriced courses that are senseless. It bothers me because their motivation is purely commercial, without consideration for the art of editing. There are many who see video editing as a new gold rush and profit by selling courses full of promises. Many of these trainers are not really legitimate. Yet, there are exceptions, genuinely skilled and legitimate people, like Sami, for example, who has all my consideration. I try to support these legitimate people and guide others towards these real trainers. I believe in the importance of creating a link between generations, sharing my world while discovering theirs. I occasionally get irritated by those who add nothing more. I don't constantly fight against this, but when something stands out to me, I don't hesitate to say it.

PASSIONS & INSPIRATIONS

Besides video editing, what is your hidden passion?

It's complicated because my life has revolved around films for 25 years, so it's really this universe that I'm passionate about, more than just editing. As for a hidden passion, I used to enjoy sports, when my knees allowed it. But otherwise, I must admit I'm quite proud of having trained my cat! That's quite awesome. I think I got lucky with him, he's calm, and attentive. It's a delight.

If you could propose a new feature for AutoCut, what would it be?

It's hard to say, especially since I don't know precisely how AutoCut operates internally. But if I disregard the technical feasibility and simply reflect on unmet needs in editing, I think of a tool that would automatically organize projects. In my work, I'm hyper-organized, and it's crucial because I don't work alone. Someone must be able to easily take over my project without spending hours figuring out where things are. It took me years to adopt a rigorous organization method. A button that, with one click, would organize the timeline and project elements would be truly useful.

Another idea might be a tool that scans the timeline to automatically identify and correct incompatible file issues or non-compliant media. For instance, being able to track all elements that might pose problems when exporting a project, to avoid getting stuck at the end. It could really enhance workflow, avoiding last-minute issues when finalizing a project.

Thanks for this interview and for your shares! You can find Cyrille on his networks:

Youtube

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