The Rise of Skywalker New interview with Rise of Skywalker's editor reveals a different post-production schedule than Williams had for Force Awakens

[crumbs 12625]

This interview with TROS' editor probably explains how Williams was able to start writing so soon after production ended, in contrast with the post-production timeline for TFA.

 

Quote

Maryann Brandon has worked with Abrams many times, and reunited with him for The Rise of Skywalker, due in December. But it’s a much quicker process than when they made 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, meaning Brandon actually had to be on set with Abrams to start cutting footage together as they were still shooting.

 

“When we did The Force Awakens we started in May and we finished shooting in October, and we were out [the following] Christmas. For this film, we didn’t start until August, so we weren’t done until February shooting - so we have four months less time, and it’s a very big film. So I convinced JJ to let me cut on the set. He was like, ‘no, we never do that’.” I was like, ‘just try it, so I can start turning over shots’.

 

"So I was on the set the entire time, and he got so used to it that he was like, ‘you need to be less than ten feet away from me at all times’ - so if the camera would move 10 feet, I would move 10 feet."

 

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1136655/Star-Wars-9-Rise-of-Skywalker-editing-post-production-editor-filming-on-set-tight-schedule

 

She goes on to discuss the benefits of this approach, including getting pickup shots and inserts while the main production was still underway (this was done much later in post-production for TFA with reshoots -- a contributing factor to Williams constantly rewriting TFA as the edit kept changing).

[Balahkay 626]

I wonder if Williams has finished writing by now and when they will start recording?

[Tom 3397]

Even with a quicker initial cut, Williams will still be writing until at least September.  I am guessing there will two sets of sessions, the one this June and then again in the fall.