Here is the latest in our series of Q&A's, helping fans to get to know the behind-the scenes people responsible for Heartland. It takes a talented crew as well as a talented cast to put together a good television series, so this week you get to ask a question to someone who literally puts the show together. Click through to find out a little more about what an editor does, AND to ask him a question!
Meet Ken Filewych, one of two editors who work on Heartland. Ken, along with Jane Morrison, alternate the editing chores on the series, with each of them cutting two episodes at a time. Ken will be the editor for the first two episodes of Season 4, then Jane will be the editor for episodes 403 and 404. This will continue throughout the entire season.
Ken and Jane are part of what is called the post-production team. They - along with assistant editors Todd Buttenham and Duane Martin - are the ones who edit Heartland.
Now, normally I would write "Here you go!" and let you ask your question(s), but a lot of people don't know what it is that an editor does, exactly, so I'm going to expand on that a bit. Don't you love it when the shows you love are educational as well as entertaining??? :)
A film editor is responsible for putting together the final product as a sequence consisting of raw camera footage shots, dialogue, sound effects and graphics. Working in the production office (it's rare that the editors are actually on set) the editor works closely with the director and the producers to ensure each episode is as good as it can be.
The Swedish word for film editor is "klippare," which references the days when the actual film was cut or clipped and spliced together to form the scenes. Since the early 1990s, with the advancement of digital technology, special computer software and high-quality digitization of sound and pictures have effectively replaced the old manual method of cutting film. Although a lot of television series are shot digitally, Heartland is still photographed on actual film. Each day's takes are digitized onto disks and Ken loads them onto his computer and then he's ready to edit the show!
For every minute you watch on Heartland there is over 10 minutes of unused footage that never finds its way onto the screen. Scenes are shot many times from different angles, focussing on different cast members or situations, and it's Ken's job to make sure that only the best and appropriate takes of each scene are used.
I know some of you watch episodes of Heartland more than once, but an editor will watch a scene dozens and even hundreds of times to ensure that it has been edited just right.
Editing is much more involved than just making sure the shots that follow each other in a sequence flow properly. If you watch the first footage of episode 318 you see five shots edited together that have no dialogue but give us a LOT of information.
1) A long shot panning across Heartland, following Amy at dawn as she rides Spartan to the main gate of the ranch.
2) A closer shot of Amy bending down to open the mailbox.
3) A closeup of Amy from the front as she starts to look at the letters.
4) An extreme closeup of the letters - we can see one is from the "Ring of Fire" organization.
5) A close up of Amy's face as she thinks about this
Although these 5 shots take up less than 15 seconds of screen time each one was shot more than once and how long each shot lasts is one of many important decisions that have to be made in the editing room.
When there is dialogue the decisions are equally important. When someone delivers a long line of dialogue, quite often - although you still hear the line - the visual will cut to a character or characters listening to what is being said, because this helps us better understand the scene, knowing not only what is being spoken, but how the lines are being received.
There are dozens of different reasons a shot is edited the way it is, and I think you'll agree Heartland's editors do an awesome job.
So now you can ask one of them anything about what he does! Ken is looking forward to your questions, and I'm going to give you the rest of the week to post them. You'll see Ken's answers go up sometime next week.
Annnnnd... ACTION!!!
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The_Heartland_Fan wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 5:34 PM
G'day from Australia Ken! : )
Just thought I would applaud you on the wonderful work you do for the show *clap clap clap*
Ok,my question is: As the editor you must receive some funny cuts, where the actors stuff up there lines, or something unexpected happens. What are some of the funniest bloopers you have seen involving Ty and Amy? : )
Thanks!
Caroline wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 5:47 PM
Thank you for putting on such a wonderful show! You guys to an amazing job and I love the show! I've started a bit of film making, just of my horses, but I've quickly found it is a lot harder than it looks!
My Question is; What are you favorite parts of episodes to edit?
Thanks!
Margaret wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 6:51 PM
hi ken! I LOVE heartland and i can only imagine how much work it must be to get everything together perfectly! I would like to ask, what was the hardest episode to edit yet?
thanks!
-Margaret
Ashley wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 7:29 PM
hI ken
you do such an amzing job on heartland everything turns out brilliantly! my question for you is how long does it take for you to put together one whole episode? thanks a lot you make heartland that much better!!!!
-Ashley
Mar wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 7:31 PM
Hi Ken! Heartland is a great show! What are some of the funniest parts/bloopers you have seen involving Lou and Amy?
Thanks for answering the questions.
Shanna wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 8:06 PM
Hey there Ken!
You do an awesome job editing the show! Keep it up!
My question: What do you love most about film editing?
Shanna :)
Jenna wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 8:26 PM
Hi Ken!
Just to say amazing job editing Heartland. You make the scenes come alive on our tv's! Most of the time I feel like I'm in that scene especially on episode 217 were Amy is jumping with no hands on Spartan and on episode 301 where Amy again is jumping on Ceasar. I swear I have probably watched those scenes repeating them over and over 100 times!
Any way my question: About how long does it take you to edit two episodes?
My guess is about weeks if you have to sometimes watch scenes dozens of times!
Thank you so much!
Jenna
TC wrote:
Posted May 3, 2010 11:16 PM
Greetings, Ken!
I've had a wee bit of experience with digital editing, so I have a tiny idea how much fun (and how frustrating) things can be. I don't think I'd have the patience for your job, so a big thumbs up to you and your partner, Jane Morrison! My question deals with how much contact you have with the writers and directors, etc., in regards to the final product... Whose 'vision', ultimately, are you editing together from all the raw footage to what we see on our TV screens? Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions!
-TC
3blindmice wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 6:20 AM
Greetings from Britain!
As an amateur film-maker (heavy accent on the amateur!), I have had a reasonable amount of experience at editing a variety of things. So, my question is... What is the most challenging and most pleasing/satisfying thing about editing Heartland?
3 :)
Michelle wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 8:20 AM
hey
My question is:
how you came to doing this job xD
By the way Heartland rocks.
Greeting from Germany :)
Dalaigh wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 11:26 AM
Wow...Thanks Blog Whisperer for the insight on what an editor does, I had an inkling, but now I know. I did not realize the amount of work that went into making an episode, I now have a greater appreciation for the editors...I salute the film editors in the world and say THANK YOU!
Ken, I agree with everyone here..both you and Jane bring the scenes alive and we Thank you for it, also, Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. So my question is: When did you realize that you wanted to be a film editor and why did you decide to be one?
Heartland_Girl wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 12:05 PM
Hey Ken! Thanks for your great work! Just wondering whom you collaborate with while you're editing. Do you make all the decisions yourself? Do the director and/or the actors have input? LOVE the show!
amelia wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 1:25 PM
Hi Ken,
Heartland is really great. It must be hard to decide what scenes to use. You really do show off Alberta. We love all the characters in the show. Do the actors have any input in the editing?
Teri wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 7:04 PM
Hey Ken!
I think you do a wonderful job as an editor for Heartland! My question for you is, do you find it difficult to edit when stunt riders are used?
eventer wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 7:19 PM
Hi Ken,
My question is, being the editor of heartland, do you have all the episodes memorized by heart and which one do you know best??? i know i would be able to recite every line if i watched them 100 TIMES!!! great job by the way!
Jean Painter wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 7:29 PM
Hi: I have only one question. Will it be on again in 2010? I love this show as does my whole family. The show that aired earlier this
year seemed like the final episode. I sure hope not. It's one of the best shows on TV. We would really miss it if it didn't continue.
Thanks Jean
Milly wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 7:43 PM
Hey Ken!
Awesome job with the editing, the episodes are always seamless, and seemingly one long take rather than several snippets from various different takes, which I guess is pretty much the point of an editor.
So, my question is, what is the hardest thing to keep track of when you are checking for continuity?
Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!
Gwen wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 9:12 PM
Hi, Ken
What does it take to become an actress cause i want to be one?
Good job, I LOVE HEARTLAND watch it every single sunday, never missed a eposide yet except once camp starts :( :(
Francesca wrote:
Posted May 4, 2010 10:27 PM
Hi Ken,
You do a wonderful job on Heartland. Out of all the episodes on Heartland, which scene was you favourite result (after editing it) ? Why?
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions.
-Francesca, Heartland's #1 Fan!
Peg wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 12:49 AM
Hi Ken, you guys all do a fantastic job on Heartland and I didn't realize how much work went into editing a show. Great job! My question for you is; what was your favorite episode to edit and your least favorite episode to edit and why?
Thanks so much for answering our questions! Can't wait for Season 4!
Peg
Firefly wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 7:09 AM
Hello Ken.
You do a great job with the editing, well done, it makes Heartland great! :)
Okay my question is: What is your favourite thing about editing Heartland?
Thanks so much for answering, if you do, and thanks so much for making Heartland so great!
Have a nice day.
Bye, bye.
Line from Norway wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 9:51 AM
Hey!
I was wondering, when you shoot a scene, do you use many cameras at once, and that's it, or do the actress play the scene many times and you use only one/two cameras at the same time, and you shoot the scene over and over again? How can you know if the person or horse says at the exact same time every time you shoot it? What if we can see that she's moved?
By the way, great job!
DDW wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 11:12 AM
Greetings Ken,
Like everyone posting here, we enjoy every "finished" episode & season of Heartland. From previous blogs about behind the scenes we have learned there is more than one director responsible for the series, so how does this change up of directors & their ideas affect your job of editing? Does each director have a different "look" they are going for and must you adapt to them OR do you give them what you see as working best and then they decide what of your work they will use in the final shot/s? Over the seasons have noticed some episodes may seem almost "choppy" whereas others (different director) will have that half second more of a scenery shot or an actor's reaction in a dialogue scene, who makes those decisions - editors or directors??
Thanks for the great work, look forward to Season 4!!
DDW
Calli wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 4:24 PM
Hey Ken,
One of my favourite scenes that you have edited was in the episode ' Corporate Cowgirls ' when they were trying to get on the horses and were falling off or, getting on backwards! That made me laugh out loud literally !
My question is what is you’re favourite genre to edit and do you edit more shows and movies, music other that heartlands?
Thank you for your time and have a great day/evening!
:)
Jann wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 4:46 PM
Hi Ken! You're awesome and there's no show close to better than Heartland. My question is, if you were to use 3 words to descride your self, what would they be and why? Continue doing a great job and can't wait for season 4!! Love ya!
Adrienne wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 5:57 PM
Hi
So what is the hardest part about filming Heartland Ken?
Thanks
Twe wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 7:49 PM
Hey Ken,
First of all, a big thanks for taking the time to answer all these fan questions! I have a huuuuuge admiration for editors-- having done a little amateur film editing myself, I can't imagine how much time and effort goes into doing the actual pro job. My question for you would be... apologies for it being very technical... what film editing software you recommend? I've played around a lot in Pinnacle Studio, have learned enough about iMovie to hate it, and am really starting to wonder what the pros actually use. Willing to help out an aspiring amateur? ;)
P.S. And if you want to add what your favorite comfort food is, I wouldn't mind knowing that too! (For Twe's amazingly long and interesting list of the favorite comfort foods of cast & crew).
Sandra wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 10:56 PM
Hi Ken,
Wow - you are very good at your job! When does the cast get to see the final product? Do they see it put together for the first time on TV like the rest of us or do they get to preview the final edited episodes before they get aired?
Thank you and good luck for Season 4!!
Sandra
Allison wrote:
Posted May 5, 2010 11:04 PM
Hey Ken. First of all, I just want to say you do an amazing job! (so do you Jane) It must be really cool to see everything before it all gets put together to form an awesome TV series. Props to you and Jane for doing a great job with the show by the way. All the patience and hard work is totally loved in the end.
Anyways, Ken my question is; Even with me loving all the episodes, is there one that you felt just wasn’t the best? Kind of like, "Uhh, this didn’t turn out so well," In your personal opinion? If it’s ok, (I hope so) my other question is; My favourite episode is probably "The Haunting of the Hanley Barn", but to you is there one episode that would put together that just screamed "I did a great job on this one”?
From a very fascinated, and every happy fan,
Allison
Eve wrote:
Posted May 6, 2010 4:11 PM
Hi Ken! You have done an outstanding job with Heartland!! I wouldn't miss an episode for the world!! So here is my question:
How did you get the job as editor on Heartland??
Marigna wrote:
Posted May 6, 2010 5:02 PM
Hi, I love everything about the show, and think the editors do a great job in bringing the whole show together. My question is how long does it take you to edit one episode from rough cut to final (after producer reviews!)? Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
Debbie York wrote:
Posted May 6, 2010 5:38 PM
Ken;
Congrats on putting together such a wonderful family show. My husband and myself look forward to our Sunday evening show every week, and hate when it's off season.
My question is, we lived in High River/Okotoks are for 20 years and I am very familiar with most of the locations that you shoot around in High River and Okotoks, but I wondered what area the ranch is located.. I am thinking it's Bragg Creek area.
Debbie
Nicole wrote:
Posted May 6, 2010 6:38 PM
Hey Ken. GREAT job you've done with heartland.. I have to say it's my all time favourite show.
So anyways, my question is... Does Amber do all the "stunts" like riding bareback and jumping and everything herself?
Thanks again and GREAT job!
JumperCowgirl wrote:
Posted May 6, 2010 7:40 PM
Hi Ken!
Excelent job! Few TV shows have the quality of editing/directing that movies do, but Heartland certainly does. Well done!
How long does it take to put together a sequence of scenes such as the one described here on the blog?
Blessings,
JumperCowgirl
Ellie Fulk wrote:
Posted May 7, 2010 10:24 AM
Hi Ken, Great show you have going on. I would love to see a episode filmed as it would give a person a idea how much work is involved in filming a TV Show. My Question is , about how long does it take to film just one episode?
Phoebs wrote:
Posted May 7, 2010 9:06 PM
Hi Ken!
You do a great job with the editing of Heartland!! Thanks for all the work you do; keep it up!
If you are editing a really exciting episode is it difficult to stay focused on the job?
Thanks!
Phoebs
Tory wrote:
Posted May 8, 2010 10:36 PM
Everything you do Ken is awesome. I love the way Hearland turns out every week! Anyway I was wondering....
How long does it take to bring the finished product all together and ready to air? Thanx and keep it up!
kolly,molly wrote:
Posted May 9, 2010 8:10 PM
hi Ken just wondering if there is going to be a heartland episode in june and is there going to be a heartland movie.molly
Hi Ken:),
how long does it take to edit one episode ...is it hard
thx bye :D.Kolly