Look for the eyes

I edit podcasts a few times a week, and it's always a challenge. One thing I've learned is that I need to edit relatively soon after shooting them because I remember things I've done, mistakes, issues, and where to make cuts. However in making cuts, I've learned a couple things that have speeded up the process. One big one:

Watch the eyes.

I've noticed that when I get ready to talk, I give myself two cues. I take a breath (always handy for speaking) and I tend to close my eyes, open them, and begin talking. For not too jarring cuts, and cuts that match up when I want to speak, I listen for the intake of breath, look for the eyes start to close, and that's where I stop and cut to. This gives me tracks I can easily insert.

Some days it's a lot of work, but most days it's fun, and funny, to see myself on video and build a podcast.