Service to the Story Principle

he guiding philosophy that every editorial decision must be justified by its contribution to the overall narrative. As articulated by editor Kelley Dixon, this involves analytically asking if a moment is redundant, if it clarifies or muddles information, or if it causes the story to go 'flat.' Anything not actively serving the story is a candidate for removal, especially when cutting for time. This principle is the editor's primary directive. As Tom McArdle (Spotlight) states, "I personally think the first priority for the editor is the story. I work to serve the story, to make sure that it flows and that things are clear." This often requires sacrificing personal favorite moments or technically impressive shots for the greater good of the narrative. This principle requires the editor to constantly remember their primary function. As editor Steven Mirkovich states, 'This is not an actor’s show reel. This is a scene in a movie. It’s about the story.' This means that even a brilliant performance moment might be sacrificed if it doesn't serve the overall narrative of the scene and the film. This principle is powerfully illustrated by editor David Wu's "golden mistake" on his first feature. He used advanced, fast-paced intercutting on a long take that was designed to introduce a new star. The director, Chang Cheh, had him restore the original take, explaining, "Your editing is really advanced, but it did not tell my story and my purpose." This taught Wu the foundational lesson to "always serve the drama with your technique... by not allowing the technique to overshadow what the director wants to do."