Editing for Story: Become the Editor Every Director Wants

Learn Storytelling from Francis Ford Coppola’s Editor — Also Behind The Outsiders & Oscar-Winning Bram Stoker’s Dracula!

Get an Editing Guidelines Cheat Sheet you can apply to your very next project!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

If you've ever wondered what separates a good editor from an indispensable one, the answer isn't found in your software proficiency or your reel — it's found in your ability to tell a story. In today's competitive industry, directors aren't just looking for someone who can cut footage cleanly; they're looking for a creative partner who understands narrative at its core. Whether you're an editor looking to deepen your impact or a director wanting to sharpen your collaborative instincts, this webinar is designed to help you become the storytelling collaborator that every project — and every director — needs. The skills you'll develop here have the power to elevate not just your edits, but your entire career.

Yet so many talented creatives hit a ceiling when it comes to this work. They rush into the edit without asking the right questions, or they treat the script and dailies as separate tools rather than complementary guides. Others struggle to understand why certain cuts feel emotionally flat, or they cut scenes in isolation without a clear sense of the full film's story architecture. You might technically know how to cut — but do you know the four fundamental questions every editor must answer before making a single decision? Do you know how to use character as your compass, or how to find a personal connection to the material that makes your work truly resonate? These are the gaps that hold editors back, and they're exactly what today's session is going to address.

Your instructor today is uniquely equipped to guide you through all of it. Anne Goursaud is an accomplished film editor and director whose career was launched when none other than Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola recognized her talent and brought her on to edit ONE FROM THE HEART. Since then, Anne has edited some of Hollywood's most celebrated films, including Coppola's THE OUTSIDERS, the Oscar-winning BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, and IRONWEED — starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their performances. Her work spans drama, horror, comedy, documentary, and musical film, and she has collaborated with directors and performers at the very top of the industry. Beyond her extraordinary editing career, Anne has also directed, produced, and written — giving her a rare 360-degree perspective on the storytelling process. She served as a Senior Editing Mentor and Senior Lecturer in Editing at the AFI for seven years, holds a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, and is a member of the Directors Guild, the Editors Guild, A.C.E., and the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In this webinar, Anne will walk you through the editor's true role as a storyteller — covering how to approach the material, whether and how to use the script versus your dailies, and the four fundamental questions that should guide every edit. You'll explore why story is king, how to select dailies effectively, and the guiding principles that go beyond standard editing rules to help you understand the reason behind every cut. You'll also learn how to build a genuine collaborative relationship with directors and how to use character as your creative compass. By the time you walk away, you'll have a concrete framework — and a practical cheat sheet — for approaching every project with greater intention, deeper emotional intelligence, and the storytelling instincts that make editors truly irreplaceable.

Plus! As a case study, Anne will show three scenes from Dracula and a short Charlie Chaplin scene from City Lights!

PLUS! You will receive this handout to help you:

• Editing Guidelines Cheat Sheet
  
  

Praise for Anne:

"Anne had such a great way to talk about Editing.   Really appreciated her written presentation too to go along with her speaking." - Xochi B. 

Testimonial from Anne:

"What I have learned along the way working with some of the most talented filmmakers in Hollywood is editing is the most creative part of movie making. I have spent years developing my way of thinking about story and on how to become that collaborative partner a director would want to share the ride with. My approach goes far beyond rules and technique. Stage 32 is the perfect platform for me to share my insights. I can’t think of a better place to have a conversation about the editor as a storyteller on par with the writer and the director." -Anne Goursaud