I feel that poetry is the bridge between the world of words and the world of the moving images. And editing is the process of writing poetry based on the material shoot. Editing is poetry.
Subhajit Singha is an Indian film editor. After growing up in a small town of Dooars intoxicated with the movies, followed by a course in film school, exclusively fascinated by scripted storytelling, and a brief career as an assistant editor, he has quickly become a sought-after editor in feature films—known for bringing a chest full of love, craft and creativity to filmmaking across genres, and for being a true steady hard collaborator in the cutting room. Subhajit's first feature film as an editor, ‘Cinemawala (a farewell to celluloid)’ was released 2016. Subhajit is known for his minimalist approach to create emotional and engaging sequences. Burnished narrative arc along with suggestive timing creates bridge between the world of words and the world of the moving images in his works; he often says "editing is poetry". He also talks about how he gets excited dealing with the tiny witty moments and suspension created during the interaction of characters; fathom of claustrophobia or vastness created with juxtaposing other than meaningless shots. His enthusiasm for big screen storytelling is matched only by his total dedication to the craft of film editing, his nerdy technical expertise and his undisputed love of graphic novels.
I know that it is hard to explain my job to others. This is because of our work remains invisible behind the magic of motion picture. It is also truth that editing is an integral part of the cinematic narrative. Sometimes people misunderstand editing with screenplay. Actually Editors contribute every inch of a film. Editors enhance and balance the aesthetic values of cinematography, acting and narrative. In other words an editor has the responsibility of telling a story in a cinematic way and at the same time has to remain invisible. Like a skilled piano player an editor plays the same story bits that have been created during scripting of the film and he makes melody with them, sometimes unconsciously!
That is why if someone asks me what do I do? I say to them that I am a story editor. I found it makes sense to them. I believe that an editor is a part of the audience. The first viewer of the shooting dailies. If you tell someone few clues about an incident or a character, he or she will make a story for themselves. I do the same thing from the rushes. I build a story for myself! What actions, fun moments or emotions I like most, I try to build drama with them. Those story beats, metaphors and moments touch my heart, I try to convert them to tears and show that to my director.
After the first screening of my rough cut, I ask my director did you want to tell this story? My good luck, till now none of them said “no”. they smiled and say “Something like that”!
So I am a story editor and I edit for big screen.
I am thirty four years old. I have graduated from University of North Bengal and joined Post Graduation programme in Roopkala Kendro (an Institute of Film and Social Communication). I started my career as an Assistant Editor, and within few years became an Editor. I love post production. I enjoy the company of the people who put life in the skeleton of the movie exported from our edit rooms. If I can manage some spare time from the huge time pressure of the post production responsibilities I like to read interviews of the other editors, read graphic novels, or go to the nearest theater to see latest release.
My primary tool for edit room is Avid Media Composer. I like to collect the final audio and video print from the post production and make the DCP by myself with the open source tools. That is all I can say about me.
I feel that poetry is the bridge between the world of words and the world of the moving images. And editing is the process of writing poetry based on the material shoot. Editing is poetry.
