Here's some stuff I've edited!
I also wrote and directed nearly everything on this page... But by FAR I spent the most time editing. That's the way it goes, ain't it?
But first, a caveat about the content below.
Listen, confession: I shot a lot of this stuff when I was poor!
Much of the time, I didn't have access to cinema cameras or extensive crews or professional audio gear. We did the best we could with what we had at the time, and we had fun doing it!
If anything, that meant I had to be MORE particular in post to try to cover for rough audio, grainy footage, continuity errors, etc.
So try to just think about things like narrative pace, timing, flow, etc, and don't judge the technical aspects of the footage or audio too harshly. Think how good these films would look shot in 4K with a good gaffer and sound mixer! Ahh alas...
Of course... I could have shot more, and perhaps had more opportunities to level up the technical quality of my content... if only I had known a trusty editor who could handle the lengthy post-processing for me so I could get back to filmmaking! ... ;)
Short Films
The Nutcracker Bullet Ballet
Lightbulb Moment
Tagline:
Dim wits and bright ideas collide in this Pasadena noir!
Description of Project:
A noir-comedy I wrote, directed, and edited as part of a special challenge to myself to make short films for only $12 each.
Special Editing Challenges:
Timing was essential for the edit of this film - both in landing the fast-paced banter, and in timing the slapstick elements to work against whimsical pre-existing background music.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Rush
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Shot on iPad Pro
Budget:
$12 (No kidding!)
Link:
Captain Bloode
Tagline:
A Damsel, a Dashing Hero, and a Dastardly Pirate meet in the woods...
Description of Project:
An adventure-comedy I wrote, directed, and edited as part of a special challenge to myself to make short films for only $12 each.
Special Editing Challenges:
This film was shot entirely on an iPad, so part of the editing challenge was to find a style and look for the piece that would work. I landed on the “old silent film” look and had a lot of fun playing with this format.
There was also a special coloring challenge in one sequence where the color of red blood needed to pop through the otherwise black and white film.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Rush
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Shot on iPad Pro
Budget:
$12 (For real!)
Link:
Sunshine
Tagline:
Looks can be deceiving! Especially in the wild n' wooly world of modern dating.
Johnny just scored a date with Sunshine, the most radiant, stunning woman he's ever seen. There's only one problem: turns out she's gross!
As Sunshine casually reveals more about herself, Johnny must contend with an onslaught of deal-breakers. But what about Johnny? Is he what she was expecting? Watch and find out!
Description of Project:
I was hired to direct and edit this tongue-in-cheek dating comedy in 2017 on a budget of $10,000.
Special Editing Challenges:
The edit required very careful attention to timing to land the comedic beats of the film. Several scenes also featured improvisation from the performers; while this resulted in some great moments and one-liners, it also created a challenge to maintain continuity in the final cut.
Also, in post, it was discovered that some footage had been under-exposed, so careful color correction became a key part of post-processing.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Sony a7S II on DJI Ronin 3-Axis Gimbal
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic with Zoom H4N Handy Recorder
Budget:
$10,000
Link:
https://vimeo.com/ocdprods/sunshine
Raiders in the Attic
Tagline:
In the Claman household, retrieving something from the attic can be a bit of an adventure...
Description of Project:
As a sort of "Ode and Master Study," I undertook to remake the idol sequence from the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but starring my own sister as an intrepid adventurer sent to retrieve a special piece of decor from our family's all-to-cluttered attic. I wrote, directed, and edited this short film in 2015 shortly before moving to Los Angeles.
Special Editing Challenges:
Unfortunately, a good portion of the sound recorded turned out to be too quiet or had significant hiss, so audio cleanup was a big part of post-processing. Quick, careful cuts were also frequently needed to sell stunts and surprises, and several sequences required matching the narrative flow up with pre-existing background music.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Canon 5D Mark III
Rode NTG 2 Shotgun Mic with Zoom H4N Handy Recorder
Budget:
$500
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcmvfrOpMOs&ab_channel=MikeClaman
Ripper
Tagline:
Some of the worst monsters are right among us.
Description of Project:
A period-piece thriller I wrote, directed, and edited in 2015. My first short film!
Special Editing Challenges:
The editing focus was on creating a sense of narrative build and increasing unease. There was a moment where removing the audio of a character whose back was turned to the camera created an unplanned but fairly dramatic moment of suspense. It's always good to stay creative with your options!
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Final Cut Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Canon T3i Rebel
Rode NTG 1 Shotgun Mic with Zoom H4N Handy Recorder
Budget:
$150
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCdiyohifVo&ab_channel=MikeClaman
Web Series
Rollups
Tagline:
Another day, another bin of silverware. Side work carries on as Michael meets new members of the Jammin' Cod crew. They're an odd bunch, but could he ever be one of them?
Description of Project:
I co-created, directed, and edited this comedy web series about the absurd private conversations between restaurant wait-staff. This was sitcom style and fast-paced, and required managing a significant amount of media and project files.
Special Editing Challenges:
This project involved 7 episodes worth of media, each shot on an A-Cam and B-Cam, so file organization was essential in post-processing. Narratively, the episodes relied on comedic timing and quick cuts to sell the banter and light-hearted pace of the show.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Canon T3i
Rode NTG 3 Shotgun Mic with Zoom H4N Handy Recorder
Budget:
$1000
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOHRp3-tEN4&t=1s&ab_channel=OCDProductions
Video Podcast
The Adventure Movie Club
Coming Soon
Tagline:
Welcome to the Adventure Movie Club, where we do deep dives on adventure movies of all kinds! What makes them great? What makes them misfire? And what is it that sometimes turns them into a classic!? Time to head... to the CLUBHOUSE!
Description of Project:
I am currently producing the first run of a video podcast discussing my favorite genre - Adventure Movies!
Special Editing Challenges:
The episodes are filmed from three angles and are about 2 hours each, so require a multi-cam editing style as well as an audio cleanup in Adobe Audition. I’m also creating the title cards, motion graphics, and various sound effects and audio gags for the episodes.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Audition
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Samsung S21+, Canon T3i Rebel, Nikon D5600
Rockville RMC-XLR Mics with Zoom Podtrack P4 Recorder
Budget:
$500
Link:
N/A ... yet.
Short Videos
I am SO over this.
Tagline:
I am soo over this.
Description of Project:
This was a short comedic video I made for a friend on his birthday! (He asked me to record my impression of him as a gift.) While it was created quickly and on no budget, it was especially fun to let loose during the edit to make something splashy and light-hearted.
Special Editing Challenges:
The edit involved syncing with music, tiling the frames, reversing footage, and playing with timing and playback speeds.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Samsung S8
Budget:
$0
Link:
The Decision
Tagline:
Flip a coin? How about: twirl a gun.
Description of Project:
While waiting to act my scene in a short western film, I found myself with a prop, a costume, and some spare time. So I grabbed my phone and filmed a little shoot out of my own!!
Special Editing Challenges:
The main editing challenge for this piece was to create convincing sound and visual effects for the gunfire at the end, including the bang, muzzle flash, smoke, and gun cocking sounds.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Samsung S8
Budget:
$0
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jphFIm3Y9Q0&t=1s&ab_channel=MikeClaman
Lamb
Tagline:
He's back from the dead and has been given the gift of tongues... Now, how's he gonna use it?
Description of Project:
I adapted this comedic scene to use as part of my acting demo reel. It was shot by film students at Columbia College Hollywood in 2016 and was meant to be edited by a student there as well. Due to some scheduling delays, however, I ended up taking the footage and cutting it together myself!
Special Editing Challenges:
This project was shot at a high resolution relative to the editing processing power I had at the time, and so required a proxy-based workflow. It also required some day-for-night color grading and several stunt sound effects.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Shot on RED DSMC Epic M-X 5K (I think)
Budget:
$0
Link:
https://vimeo.com/177732347
Double Indemnity Scene
Tagline:
A woman's husband murdered, a couple on the run, and a plan unraveling at the seams...
Description of Project:
I adapted this dramatic scene from James M. Cain's crime novel "Double Indemnity" to use as part of my acting demo reel. It was shot by film students at Columbia College Hollywood in 2016 and was meant to be edited by a student there as well. Due to some scheduling delays, however, I ended up taking the footage and cutting it together myself!
Special Editing Challenges:
This project was shot at a high resolution relative to the editing processing power I had at the time, and so required a proxy-based workflow.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Shot on RED DSMC Epic M-X 5K (I think)
Budget:
$0
Link:
https://vimeo.com/178641304
Other
Monologues
Tagline:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...
Description of Project:
For fun, for auditions, and to practice my acting skills, I have shot and edited numerous self-tapes and monologues over the last six years.
Special Editing Challenges:
In this widely varied category of project, I have incorporated sound effects, background noises, music, VFX, specialized color grading, transitions, frequent title cards, and more. Due to the number of projects, it also required efficient and consistent file organization and data handling.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Canon T3i Rebel
Some iPad Pro
In-Camera Audio Primarily
Budget:
$0
Link:
An example:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynFx0vl8Atc&ab_channel=MikeClaman
Han and Chewie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6eWEWtFZ0Q&ab_channel=MikeClaman
Demo Reels
Tagline:
Who am I this time?
Description of Project:
As an actor, I have always edited my own materials. This has required me to make frequent new reels and to manage dozens and dozens of separate project files and source materials. Good organization is a must!
Special Editing Challenges:
Editing demo reels can be a particularly difficult task, requiring very careful selections of material, significant trimming to just the essential moments, cutting in and around scenes to largely remove other performers but without ruining the sense of the narrative, effective transitions to connect the inherently disjointed material, and attention to aspect ratios, frame rates, resolution sizes, and other formatting concerns.
Reels also require frequent updates, and so require good file management and project organization.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Highly Varied
Budget:
N/A
Link:
Dramatic Reel: https://vimeo.com/390638746
Comedic Reel: https://vimeo.com/244501442
Voice Demo Reels
Link:
https://www.michaeljclaman.com/actingreels
Tagline:
I just gotta say somethin'...
Description of Project:
As well as video reels, I have also made several voice-acting demo reels, featuring both character voices and narration style work.
Special Editing Challenges:
These reels were made in Adobe Audition, and required special focus on audio cleanup such as removing hiss and background noise, punching up the clarity and resonance of the vocals, and using music and transitions to knit together tracks that flowed naturally.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Audition CC
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Rode NTG 2 Shotgun Mic and Zoom H4N Handy Recorder
Budget:
$0
Tagline:
Nick is having one bad day. If he can beat the bad guy, save the girl, and deliver the package, it'll be a Christmas miracle!
Description of Project:
A 9-minute Christmas action-comedy I wrote, directed, and edited on a $500 budget.
Special Editing Challenges:
The editing for this project required lots of quick cuts to sell the stunts and action, as well as numerous VFX and SFX for firearm muzzle flashes and impacts.
Edited in (What kind of software used?):
Adobe Premiere Rush + Adobe Premiere Pro
Media captured on (What kind of camera / audio equipment?):
Shot on iPad Pro
Budget:
$500
Link: