Conversations

Conversations captures a series of dialogues between Academy Award-winning film editor Walter Murch and author Michael Ondaatje. The discussions span multiple decades of Murch's career in film editing, sound design, and directing. The book examines Murch's technical processes and creative philosophies through focused conversations about specific films, including The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, and The English Patient. Murch shares his insights on the evolution of film technology, from analog to digital editing systems. Each chapter moves between practical editing techniques and broader reflections on storytelling, human perception, and the craft of filmmaking. The dialogue format allows Murch to build complex ideas while maintaining clarity and directness. The text presents film editing as both a technical discipline and an art form that shapes how audiences experience narrative and emotion. Through these conversations, Murch demonstrates the editor's role as a key creative force in cinema.

Readers appreciate Murch's detailed insights into film editing and sound design, drawing from his work on films like Apocalypse Now and The Godfather. Reviews note his clear explanations of complex technical concepts and honest behind-the-scenes accounts. Liked: - Casual, conversational tone makes technical content accessible - Practical editing techniques explained through real examples - Personal anecdotes about working with Francis Ford Coppola - Discussion of both analog and digital editing methods Disliked: - Some sections become overly technical for beginners - Interview format can feel disjointed at times - Limited coverage of Murch's more recent work Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 reviews) One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Murch explains editing concepts that I've struggled to articulate for years." A Goodreads reviewer noted the book "could benefit from more structure between topics."

In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch A film editor reveals the principles of his craft through stories and technical explanations about editing motion pictures.

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet A director shares first-hand accounts of film production from script selection through post-production, with insights into creative and technical decisions.

Notes on the Cinematograph by Robert Bresson The filmmaker presents his philosophy of filmmaking through aphorisms and observations drawn from decades of directing experience.

On Film-Making by Alexander Mackendrick A collection of lectures and notes from a master director explores the fundamental elements of visual storytelling and film craft.

The Conversations: Steven Soderbergh and Richard Lester by Steven Soderbergh Two directors from different generations exchange views on filmmaking methods, creative choices, and industry evolution through detailed discussions of their work.

🎬 Walter Murch coined the term "sound design" in 1979 while working on "Apocalypse Now" - he needed to describe his expanded role beyond traditional sound editing. 🎯 Despite his legendary status in film editing, Murch started his career wanting to be a oceanographer, and this scientific mindset heavily influenced his approach to film editing. ✂️ Murch developed the "Rule of Six" for film editing, ranking the importance of elements as: emotion (51%), story (23%), rhythm (10%), eye-trace (7%), two-dimensional plane of screen (5%), and three-dimensional space of action (4%). 🏆 He is one of the few film professionals to win Academy Awards in both sound mixing and film editing - achieving this with "The English Patient" (1996). 📚 In the book, Murch reveals that he edits standing up at a raised workstation, believing it keeps him more alert and engaged with the material - a practice he's maintained throughout his career.