Robm

This is hilarious. Michael Kahn has been nominated numerous times and has won three Oscars for Best Film Editing. He already had a two decade career even before working with Steven Spielberg - a previous editing career (including Hogan's Heroes), that for many would be enough & testament to his abilies. I believe Michael Kahn ACE, is an undisputed master editor within his professional field of expertise. You can deconstruct the obvious skills of a good editor, but the difference between a good editor and a great craftsman is not something you can notice by counting 'continuity' errors (as mentioned in previous posts) . Nobody deliberately leaves errors in work because they are bad crafts people? The skills required of a sucessful editor are more than just the obvious technical ability used to create a good visual 'cut'. It's problem-solving, both narrative, artistic and technical - things the audience will not immediately know - and if you sustain it for the incredible length of time that Michael Kahn has - you're very, very, very good and also lucky. In my opinion, Michael Kahn is one of the most rounded and accomplished editors of the last forty years (and I'm also including Stuart Baird, Terry Rawlings, Richard A. Harris and Conrad Buff in this). He structures narrative and performance expertly, whilst pacing the drama, action and pathos perfectly- granting time & space for tense/thrilling/scary and comedic moments to maximum impact. If you only count Close Encounters, Poltergeist, Raiders and Schindler's List in this you've done well (obviously Schindler's isn't used to illustrate comedy 🤣) But all those editorial talents are masterfully brought together in Jurassic Park (despite what anyone said in previous posts regarding the 'shoot her' scene at the beginning of the movie) Similarly like an actor requiring a good script, an editor cannot really create a good result without a great Director, script and cast to create and inspire the work. A good & experienced Film Editor like Michael Kahn (and many others) will always bring that extra 'something' to a project. Expertise in story-telling, editorial judgement & timing that a good Director and Producer will recognise & embrace. You need to listen, articulate & express ideas, study, be creative artistically and practically - whilst having the stamina to work often long hours, in a darkened room (sometimes without windows). You also need to confidently handle the pressure & stress of being responsible, especially when things aren't working as you'd hope. I don't know Michael Kahn, but I've worked as an editor for over twenty five years and studied editing from my teenage years and examined his work. I believe that to sustain his long career, he most likely embraces all the previously mentioned qualities. So therefore, besides being not only being professionally 'good', I believe he also has that 4th dimension 'X Factor' that makes him a fantastic editor! There are many other fantastic editors with whom he sits alongside - but they didn't have the luck to collaborate with Steven Spielberg. Either way - we've all benefitted!