No Reservations Crew Blog

The Editor's Take

By No Reservations Crew on March 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Permalink | 41 Comments

By David Robinson, Editor

 

To paraphrase a well-known chef, author and TV personality, making television is a lot like making sausage. Some seemingly strange and terrible things happen in the process, but the end result is usually very satisfying. So to follow this analogy through, if making TV is like making sausage then, I suppose editing would be like the part where the various bits are stuffed into the intestinal casing. Thankfully, this is all just metaphorical; I've yet to actually use an intestinal casing in any project. Anyway, the point is-- editing a very satisfying job (this show especially so). The amount of creative input you're afforded, the opportunity to shape something from a rough outline & raw footage to a finished product is great, and I'm lucky to have this for a career. But at the end of the day, who the hell knows what an editor really does? I've been working in this field for a few years now, and it's still not a simple question for me to answer ...On the occasion when I meet someone new at a party or other social function, or whenever I'm around extended family and the subject of my involvement with No Reservations comes up, it is typically met with some enthusiasm, if not outright excitement. Even people who have only a passing knowledge of the show will know about "that chef guy who ate the live cobra heart," or "oh yeah, the guy who ate the pig anus." Typically the first question will be, "Wow, do you get to go to all those exotic locations with Tony?"

Well . . .no.

I get to watch all the crazy stuff he does and help whittle it all down from fifty hours to forty-five minutes. This explanation usually elicits something in the neighborhood of: "Hmmm. . ." or "Oh. . ." or occasionally I get a "Really. . ." Now, it's true, I don't get to experience the exciting exploits of the ABNR crew… the smorgasboard of exotic foods ...the sublime beauty of a sunset on Waimea ... a taste of the local hooch ... but that's okay, because there's something else I don't get to do -- worry.

I work in a comfortable, safe, air-conditioned production space in downtown Manhattan. The biggest peril I face on any given day is whether I will make it to the office before the complimentary bagels and fruit are gone. I can work comfortable in the knowledge that I will never have to swim in river fluke infested waters. I will never have to drink fermented beverages of dubious origins. I'll never come in contact with DefCon 1 level gastrointestinal parasites; I'll never be expected to eat anything I might want to have as a pet. Nor will I be obliged to load up on mystery meat, just-removed genitals, dirt, feces, etc. There's no worry of vomiting on camera while squid fishing in rough seas. No worry of hitting that one village where the Avian Swine Ebola outbreak just started. No chance that I'll fall from a helicopter that's flying twenty feet above a molten lava field. My job is light on the adventure and sex appeal, but heavy on the free coffee. I got no complaints.

Actually, that's not entirely true. Like all editors, I've got a shitload of complaints. If you've ever spent any prolonged amount of time with an editor than you know that complaining is as close as most will get to a contact sport. It is woven into the spirals of an editors DNA.

"The edit room's too hot." "The edit room's too cold." "This editing system is too old." "This editing system is too new." "I've got how many weeks to cut this episode?" "The network wants to take out what?! That's the best part of the show!" "What do you mean when you say, 'more midgets'?" And on, and on, and on. In the process of editing it's often necessary to have to play and replay a single section of an edit multiple times to make sure that the picture, or sound mix, or music cue is working just as you want it to. I can't count the number of times that I've been working next door to someone who's cutting a show and they have their playback speakers set at "Who Concert" decibel levels. And it's inevitably a truly horrendous show, something along the lines of a Celine Dion world tour video, a show about monster trucks, or a Girls Gone Wild Director's Cut DVD. And did I mention the lack of exposure to sunlight?

Even if you're lucky enough to work in an edit room with a window, it's typically covered so as to avoid any glare on the monitor. To help illustrate just how little natural light editors see on a daily basis I've compiled a short list of people who average more hours of exposure to sunlight per day than editors.

People Who Average More Daily Exposure to Sunlight Than Editors:

1. Prisoners in solitary confinement

2. People living above the Arctic Circle from September through December

3. Anthracite miners

4. Children who have fallen down wells

5. Subway construction workers

6. Scientists studying bush babies

7. Missile silo technicians

8. Russian Naval submarine crews

9. Naked mole rats

10. Vampires


This is merely a small sampling, but you get the idea.

Despite the lack of natural light, despite the sedentary nature of the job, despite the fact that you can only vicariously enjoy all of the amazing places that Tony visits, it's still a great gig. Editing is, in many ways, like writing. You have the chance to craft the episode in the edit room and nothing is more satisfying than taking the scene that was never meant to be or the one that didn't quite turn out the way everyone thought it was going to and turning it into what our host likes to refer to as "video gold."

It's also a collaborative art, you, the producer, the executive producers and of course, Tony help to turn a handful of separate scenes into a journey that hopefully informs as well as entertains.

I recently finished work on the Hawaii episode, which will be airing on March 3rd (10 p.m. e/p). It came out great. Our camera crews shot some truly remarkable stuff and Tony had a great time. Anyone reading this will undoubtedly be pulling up the Hawaiian Airlines website as soon as the show ends. So, enjoy!

And now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to the kitchen and snag that last sesame bagel before returning to the edit bunker. More quality television awaits!

Tags: editor , no , reservations , travel , channel , tv , show , anthony , bourdain , hawaii

41 Comments

  1. 1
    Ellen aka "Queen of Sky" - March 03 2008 @ 4:32 pm You're the backbone of this operation, man! Keep up the GREAT work! P.S. Maybe you can get Tony to gift you some air miles for your next exotic (non-working) vacation :)
  2. 2
    Bob Ogden - March 03 2008 @ 7:24 pm Thanks for educating us on blind cave fish like life of being a video editor. But it begs the question, what are the best gaffes or giggles that you have seen that DID NOT make the show. Come on Spill it. You are the keeper of the Bourdain secrets. As far as I am concerned the whole crew rocks!!! Even Mr. Soft Hands is good from time to time. Rock On Bob
  3. 3
    Bob Ogden - March 03 2008 @ 8:00 pm OH I forgot, TONY, I made Stock Yesterday. What a Pain in the #$% But Its going to taste Great.!!!!!!!!! Thanks for getting me off the Junk. Bob
  4. 4
    Kahili - Big Islander - March 04 2008 @ 12:39 am I am a huge fan of the show, and I can't believe I missed Tony when he came to Kalapana/Kaimu. Just a few things about the segment: Jack Thompson was asked to evacuate, but he returned (as did the other remaining resident, Dean Schneider). The access path they used to get to their homes from Kalapana has been cut off by the recent lava flow, but I'm sure they've found another way in. And...Tony should have gone to places that Rachael Ray didn't cover in her episode of $40/Day. Ugh.
  5. 5
    Lea - March 04 2008 @ 2:58 am Aloha to the crew. Just viewed your show on Hawaii and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be the tacky tourist route but instead you featured some local color, food and interest. Bravo! I have loved Hawaii for many years, visit several times a year and develop and manage several websites for Hawaiian Music artists. The only thing I wish is that you featured more Hawaiian sound. I was pleasantly surprised to see La Marianna Tiki Bar and Restaurant, it's a wonderful piece of Hawaiiana with a historic foundation, known to locals and those who take the effort to find it only. I only wish you had included a bit of the history, like the dock which used to welcome original golden age flights of Pan American coming to Hawaii from the mainland. It was a glorious welcome to the islands. Hawaii is a place that embeds in your heart and soul, I'm glad that your program portrayed that, altho taking place at Paradise Cove. Perhaps a bit more of the real side of Oahu, the true beauty could have been featured but all in all a good job. Mahalo nui loa, ~ Lea Seattle WA, Hawaiian at heart!
  6. 6
    thekidsliveinastoria - March 04 2008 @ 3:58 am Mahalo for the definitely NON-touristy segment of No Reservations. Our kids grew up, went to college and live in New York, but Dad and I are still here and we were pleased (and a little alarmed) at seeing Tony in Kalihi. All I could think when he was eating all that good food was "I live here! I'm going there--maybe tomorrow! (Side Street Inn--Uptown Saimin). I know where they are!"
  7. 7
    okiefoodie - March 04 2008 @ 10:05 am Rock on Dave! Behind every great man there is an unknown, vit. D deficient, editor no? Welcome out into the sun! By the way, I really DO think Tony's shirt from the Hawaii epi. will make a killer charity auction piece, (I'm thinking next years Golden Clog awards...) Perhaps some schmuck from middle America will shell out 25K to have a sweat and Tiki-drink stiff piece of Bourdain history? Kinda like Monica and her "blue dress"! Anyway, the Hawaii show was the perfect yin/yang to the Romania show--it is good to see Tony smile even if we are secretly hoping for him to go all snarky on everyone. The piece at the end with the burning camera man was BRILLIANT!
  8. 8
    Chesh - March 04 2008 @ 11:12 am I sincerly hope you spend some time at the Jersey shore or jogging in Central Park during your time off....seriously, you just made me feel really awful about enjoying the show.
  9. 9
    Leon'sThickness - March 04 2008 @ 11:34 am Great show bro, keep up the good work.
  10. 10
    ChefJason - March 04 2008 @ 12:23 pm My wife and I were very excited to see that Tony went to sidestreet inn. We actually went there and we LOVED it!! The pan fried pork ribs are awesome. Definately planning on a return visit. ALOHA!
  11. 11
    Paul - March 04 2008 @ 12:42 pm As a newspaper copy editor, I can feel most of your pain (at least the part that doesn't involve Tony's breath). Tons of work, zero glory, and the only time your job truly gets noticed is if something goes horribly wrong. Stay strong. Slainte!
  12. 12
    Esperanza-la madre de Marvin - March 04 2008 @ 2:38 pm Great show, mijo! I just want to know when Tony's coming to San Miguel de Allende - we'd be a great place as you, the editor, know - & Tony's got a big following down here as does his editor, Dave! Keep up the buen trabajo!
  13. 13
    MitchHellman - March 04 2008 @ 5:57 pm I can only imagine how bad the Romania episode was *before* you edited it!
  14. 14
    PatMcC - March 04 2008 @ 6:37 pm After the Jamaica and Romania episodes, I was beginning to wonder...after all, anyone who travels has a lousy trip once in awhile, but two in a row? But then came Hawaii-- whew! It was a pleasure to watch-- and the "flaming cameraman?" Priceless. Kudos to everyone, including the folks who labor behind the scenes to bring us this weekly treat!
  15. 15
    TiKiBoo - March 05 2008 @ 3:42 am Seriously --- after Romania i was thinking hmmmm i feel afraid. I am currently watching the Hawaii Episode and WOW --- i am seriously psyched. I happen to live in Hawaii and this episode really sung to me. Ono Hawaiian has seriously tasty grinds we go on Wednesdays. Uptown Saimin i went with my parents :) Side Street --- enough :) I am so happy to see that Tony saw the Hawaii we all love so much. Aloha and Mahalo for a good episode and for showing real local people :)
  16. 16
    Kate Ferguson - March 05 2008 @ 12:18 pm I have a new project for you, and I'm sure you already have PLENTY of material: BLOO-PERS REEL! BLOO-PERS REEL! BLOO-PERS REEL!...... UNCUT!!!! UNRATED!!!!! CHEF GONE WILD IN EXOTIC LOCALES!!!!! You could sell it on the website and make about a billion dollars. You could buy your own tanning bed for the editing booth! Okay, maybe not - but I'd buy one. Probably one or two others around here would scrape together $19.95 and do likewise. We all know some of the best stuff probably ends up on the floor because it's not deemed "suitable" for broadcast. Oh, and great job on the show - I like how you intersperse the arty voice-over "tourist reel" shots with the storyline parts of the show. It's what makes the show smart and often kind of meditative (in a weird way) instead of just being another travel show. Keep up the good, if unglamorous, work!
  17. 17
    Simon Muck - March 11 2008 @ 2:26 am We would love to have you and Tony back in Peru, let us show you some of the incredible things you missed out on your last trip!!! Please get back to me, I'd love to tell you why you should come back. Best regard.s
  18. 18
    Darrell High - March 11 2008 @ 8:00 pm Dear Crew: My wife and I are fans of Tony's thus fans of yours as you make his show happen. I've read a couple of his books and we watch all of his shows. We got our families into him as well. We were disappointed in the Hawaii show and I'm typing this as we watch the rest of the show. Tony just said he was crazy but he wasn't stupid in reference to surfing...Hello, Tony spent $3,000.00 on a Hawaiin shirt and that makes him mighty stupid in our book. He saw the devastation of Katrina first-hand and for us to continue our support of Tony we would like for him to auction that shirt and donate all of the money to a good cause; we don't care what he chooses. No, we don't hug trees or eat all of our veggies, but we do believe in the human condition, integrity, honor, respect, and doing the right thang. So please let Tony know that we are disappointed and i don't believe we are alone. We don't kiss !@# and we do give credit to those who deserve it. Tony, make us proud and give us a reason to continue to be fans. Thanks, Darrell and Melissa
  19. 19
    FH - March 12 2008 @ 8:56 pm I dont even think you guys read this, i just wanted to say how disillusioned i am. i am from Santiago, Chile and i spent the last 2 or 3 weeks working on a video, showing why you should come to Chile, i recorded food from here, different kinds of drinks and beers made in Chile, i even composed music(im a musician) specially for the video. It came out great with nice pictures and nice footage, man i wasted a lot of money buying stuff to make this video and lots of time working on it, and just now i found out this casting call is only for US residents, i know the mistake is mine but im really sad that i wasted lots of time and effort in something useless. The chance of me winning of corse was very small but i dont know at least i had some chance. Take care and keep doing a great show.
  20. 20
    [AVERIL MCKENDRICK] - March 15 2008 @ 10:54 pm Crew...you beautiful crew, you...I hope that even though the website says you closed the casting call early that you'll still watch my video and keep this saucy lady in the runnings for the Fan-Atic special. I worked really hard and planned to upload my video on the last day so I could be the 'grand finale' as it were and was pretty heartbroken when I saw the notice that I'd missed my shot. Please take my video into consideration. It would mean the world to me, not to be uber-dramatic or anything :) Best wishes. xoxo
  21. 21
    Mike - March 17 2008 @ 6:18 pm Somehow people are posting comments about up loading their videos, so I will join in. I feel just like FH that the video is a lot of work for a small chance to win. Yet so many people sent in video because the show captures something in our hearts. I've watched the other Fan-atic videos and we all live vicariously through Tony. It airs on Monday, blue Monday, when we have no time to play; yet in our mind's eye we are all eating awesome food and allowing an enjoyable buzz to sink in. Please keep making great shows.
  22. 22
    Mike - March 17 2008 @ 6:19 pm Somehow people are posting comments about up loading their videos, so I will join in. I feel just like FH that the video is a lot of work for a small chance to win. Yet so many people sent in video because the show captures something in our hearts. I've watched the other Fan-atic videos and we all live vicariously through Tony. It airs on Monday, blue Monday, when we have no time to play; yet in our mind's eye we are all eating awesome food and allowing an enjoyable buzz to sink in. Please keep making great shows.
  23. 23
    Whiskeyrose7 - March 17 2008 @ 10:25 pm You all are AWESOME! I was wondering why Anthony's 10:00 spot tonight is a re-run? Please keep these great shows coming! We truly look forward to Monday nights! Thanks so much for all that you put into getting these shows to us every week! WhiskeyRose7
  24. 24
    Carmen Regine - March 19 2008 @ 11:05 pm Dave.... dear Dave, remember (stated with sincere ambiguity) if you...and others LIKE YOU, were not "on board" what would become of the TRAVEL AND TOURISM industry? You make it all look so real. Who would believe that a man like Tony actually does all that. Imagine, the cuts made by you get us ALL excited! How's that for a spot in the world?
  25. 25
    Claudia - March 25 2008 @ 6:28 pm Ahh, so I have YOU to thank for the 10 separate shots of me in the Les Halles episode - I knew my crepes might make it in, but I never thought I, personally, would make it into an episode (let alone get more beauty shots than the steak au poivre!) (I sense it's because I was just good at staying in place and not looking at the camera, but -) Claudia (The auburn-haired woman in the brown Astrakhan jacket)
  26. 26
    Shannon - March 28 2008 @ 6:26 pm Hi there Dave, I am actually currently going to broadcasting school and am very interested in the editing involved. I really appreciated the bluntly honest and humorous insight into your job. I hope one day I can be an editor for a show as cool as No Reservations. I only hope that I don't get a job in reality T.V. on some %$#@fest like Big Brother or Rock of Love. Then I might have to actually become what I've really always wanted to be...a lion tamer. J/K Gotta have the Monty Python reference! Thanks Again for all the hard work! Shannon
  27. 27
    amina - March 31 2008 @ 2:33 pm hi tony u sould go to nepal try nepali food and newari
  28. 28
    heath near the wasteland - April 04 2008 @ 3:06 am Mr. Robinson, I like your writing style. I'd also like to ask you a favor. Just for &$#@ and giggles. I have developed a crush on Mr. Bourdain and I've proposed a sexy pen-pal situation via blog. The problem: I highly doubt he will ever read my proposition. I think my odds are possibly better with you, so I humbly ask you, at your soonest leisure, to inform Mr. Bourdain that there's another groupie chick after his palate and she's eloquent to boot. I commented on his most recent blog (Past Imperfect/Future Shock) on April 4, 2008 at 1:45 AM. - Hadley
  29. 29
    Darah - April 07 2008 @ 1:22 am Dave Robinson, YES! I want to be you. In my opinion, editing all hours in any small, hot, cold, windowless room, with the occasional bagel and always a package of almonds (right!?) is a great way to make a living; but when the footage you get to look at is 50 hours of exotic Bourdain excursions, you have my dream job. Shooting would also be a blast, I'm into both. And I love food and I love travel so the show is really just kind of orgasmic... but as an aspiring videomaker, I watch the show for you, Dave.
  30. 30
    MisterZac - June 10 2008 @ 5:19 pm I'm having a tough time finding the name of the SPAM restaurant Tony visited in Honolulu. Any ideas? MisterZac
  31. 31
    Billigflug - June 11 2008 @ 10:03 am I really enjoy reading your blog. You are a very intellegent writer and an intelligent person. I think so, because you are asking many questions to yourself. With the help of this reflection I am confident, that your work will be more and more succesful! Keep on working! Greetz
  32. 32
    Brooke - July 03 2008 @ 6:42 pm I'm an editor too... and I often find myself stumbling out into the sunshine feeling like a cave troll. Represent. (holds up fist to Dave)
  33. 33
    doublers - July 07 2008 @ 5:19 pm Aloha - caught the Hawaii show last night (yoohoo for reruns!). We couldn't believe that we missed Puka Dog, etc.! Printed out the info for our next visit in October. My husband is a New Yawker & the chef in our house & we both get a kick outa Anthony - HI! Hawaii is the home of my heart - mahalo!
  34. 34
    A fan - July 12 2008 @ 6:50 pm You definetly do not get enough Kudos, the work that you do is amazing. I especially like this one episode that I believe was in Italy that was themed around Dante's inferno. The editing on that was amazing and memorable.
  35. 35
    rogerthegill - July 24 2008 @ 12:53 pm I seem to be coming late to this comment party but it could not be helped. As a fellow pasty colored editor myself I loved your comments about the editor's life as I live it every day. But I am also very jealous since you have such a great show to edit. Anthony seems like he would be so much more fun to edit a show around than to watch another duck, doe or trout meet it's end. Keep it up the show is great. Damn, anyone seen my sunglasses? It's too bright in here.
  36. 36
    prashant - August 01 2008 @ 6:01 am Its a very good show and i love to watch it with all my family members. I was very curious about what Tony do next. Its turning to be a great show now. Hawaii Treatment Centers
  37. 37
    videogrrrl - August 04 2008 @ 11:54 pm Hi! I'm an editor and your show is one of the few shows that I love to watch for the editing. Thanks! Keep up the good work!
  38. 38
    shabbygeek - August 08 2008 @ 12:11 am This article was so insightful and hilarious. Loved the list of "People Who Average More Daily Exposure to Sunlight Than Editors" =)
  39. 39
    David - January 28 2009 @ 7:00 pm

    Editing, hey better u than me. It's a thankless task, but the result speaks for itself.

  40. 40
    Sandra - June 16 2009 @ 7:19 pm

    I love to watch Travel and enjoy almost of the shows, except I refuse to watch "Bizarre". When you run these shows all day Sunday I feel completely shut out of good programming. Looked again tonight and there it was again. Where are the National Parks, wonderful beaches, and inspiring shows! Thanks!

  41. 41
    Ignacio - July 14 2009 @ 1:12 am

    Hey David, It´s Nacho, your Guide at The Cliffs, just reading some of your stuff, and hoping you are all doing great, I know the show you guys prepared in Chile might be on air tonight (probably right now)and it´s going to be a success as everything you guys do,
    Say hi to the guys! I`ll be waiting for the 5th season of the show down here!
    You do a great Job, that`s the reason I`m a fan of this show since it´s very begining and I`m glad I met y`all
    Best Regards


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