Over the years, I have met a few unique individuals who are not only Apple Certified Trainers but are still very much involved in the craft of Editing. Lee Chi Ho or better known as Chi Ho Lee is one of them.

Introducing Hong Kong born, Boston based Film and Television Editor, Lee Chi Ho. Not only does Chi Ho edit film and documentaries, he also teaches FCP, DVD studio Pro and Motion for many training centers throughout the United States. It is the craft and skill of the long form editors that string shots together, hold the audience’s attention and still be able to tell the full story at the end of the hour-long feature. I recently interviewed Chi Ho about his craft and his experience with indie films editing.

Q: In your opinion, what makes a good long form editor?
A: The Ability to sustain a story over a length of time, whether it's 30 min or 60min or 90min. The story can't be a one liner joke or punch line. So if it's fictional, your characters need to have arcs. If it's documentary, then your story or subjects also needs to have some arc or some changes or surprises.

Q: Do you sit with the director before or after the shoot?
A: For fictional features, I usually get to read the scripts before hand and figure out if I want to edit it. Then I don't start until after the shoot. I tend to make the 1st cut on my own as written on the script and then we make changes. That's was the process on fictional feature “The Busker”

Q: Hong Kong Directors love to change their scripts mid way through the shot. Did you have that situation for “The Busker”?
A: Not on “The Busker” since it was an indie film (independent fictional feature), they had a very limited budget and everything had to go according to plan or else it would have been a big bust.

Q: How do you feel about editing for first time filmmakers?
A: Some are good experiences and others can be challenging. Some first time filmmakers don't know how to communicate in the edit room.

Q: What advise will you give first time filmmaker about communicating to editors?
A: I would say learn a little bit of the lingo. They had to learn what a wide shot, medium, 2 shot, etc. All they need to learn terms like clips, sequences, bins, trim, head, tails. It makes for a much clearer experience with the editors.

Q: Between teaching and editing, which do you feel comfortable in?
A: Both. I think a mix of editing and teaching is a good combination for me
Teaching is a lot of work so I find it hard to do that every 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year and editing can sometimes be a bit solitary. So a mix of the two works really well for me.

Q: As a member of Hong Kong Final Cut Pro User Group, what advice do you have for someone who wants to be a long form editor like yourself?
A: You have to really want to work in this field; don’t know about HK, but here you almost always have to work a certain period for free. The only way to be a good editor is to edit and have a mentor if possible. Having a mentor is tremendous help.

Q: What about those self-filmmaker who are editing as well, any advice?
A: I think working with an editor is very important. A lot of indie filmmakers get themselves in trouble during post. On one hand, it's a very technical job but on the other hand, you need to be objective. I know that when I make my next film, I'll be working with an editor.

As Chi Ho Lee said “Some directors call editors co-directors as editors direct the footage in the edit room.” Great editors are like the needle and thread that brings the story together for the director. We thank Lee Chi Ho for a great interview for our readers. So start editing!