Gamze Terra - Director/Editor
Editor
Experience 10+ years
“Editing is a universe of infinite possibilities—a space where mistakes are not only inevitable but also valuable. Every mistake guides you toward the most precise creative choices. For those starting out in editing, I highly recommend embracing mistakes rather than fearing them.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
I am a feature documentary and experimental film director and editor. At the same time, I edit numerous music videos, commercials, and promotional films in the industry. In addition to video and film editing, I also edit news videos, making video journalism another aspect of my profession.
What does an average day look like in your post-production working world?
I prefer to start my day early. I meticulously plan and list my editing schedule, and I rarely deviate from it. I don’t leave my desk until I’ve completed my list. However, since I tend to be easily distracted, I schedule my editing tasks for the hours when I feel most productive.
When starting a new project, I organize and label the footage in the editing software in a clear and easily understandable way. This preliminary work makes the editing process much smoother. I use markers to take detailed notes on the videos. During the day, I begin with the rough cut and leave the finer details for the evening or late at night, as those are the hours when I feel most creative.
For projects that need to be completed quickly, I work in close coordination with the director to manage time efficiently and ensure a swift turnaround. In these moments, my closest companion is usually a pot of coffee. Since I spend long hours at my desk, I make sure to take short outdoor walks, engage in some physical activity, and watch inspiring videos related to my work. These habits keep me motivated and make the process much easier.
How did your career in post-production begin?
I studied cinema at university and started editing by working on our own short films, experimental videos, and student projects. Video activism was also one of these areas. After graduating, I suddenly found myself in the industry. I began my professional career as an editing assistant for a feature-length fiction film. Later, I continued working at a post-production company, editing commercials, music videos, and promotional films.
While continuing my career as a freelance editor, I also started working in video journalism, which led me to focus more on documentary films. Editing documentaries gives me a greater sense of freedom, as the editor and director collaboratively decide where each piece fits and how the story flows. One challenge of this process is the vast number of editing possibilities, but this also helps me develop a stronger sense of trial and error and improve my editing skills. Lately, I have been focusing more on the practice of editing experimental films.
What has been your career highlight?
I have been editing for about 10 years, and one of the most enjoyable parts of my journey was working on music videos, which I did frequently for a period of time. In addition to my deep interest in music, working on fast-paced, energetic, and dynamic projects has always motivated and excited me. Collaborating with Turkey’s pop stars and celebrities brought a new level of excitement to my career. During this time, we also won the award for Best Music Video.
I also have a passion for cooking and gastronomy. One of the projects I particularly enjoyed editing during this period was a program called Ruhun Doysun.
Who are your role models in post?
Walter Murch once inspired me with his dedication, consistency, and editing techniques. Currently, I closely follow Jennifer Lame’s work. Andrea Arnold is one of my favorite directors, but the contribution of her editor, Joe Bini, to her films is immense—I truly admire his dynamic and rhythmic editing.
I also closely follow Tatsuji Nakashizu. Tokyo Olympiad is a film I deeply admire, primarily because of its editing.
What advice do you have for others wanting to start a career in post?
Editing is a universe of infinite possibilities—a space where mistakes are not only inevitable but also valuable. Every mistake guides you toward the most precise creative choices. For those starting out in editing, I highly recommend embracing mistakes rather than fearing them.
I encourage beginners to improve their skills by experimenting with any footage they can find—be it archived material, found footage, or videos they shoot themselves. Nowadays, almost everyone has a phone capable of recording video. Filming and editing your own footage is one of the easiest ways to practice, and since the material is personal, you'll feel a stronger connection to your edits.
It's also crucial to thoroughly learn the technical aspects of editing software, as lacking this knowledge can significantly slow down the process. Additionally, strong coordination with the director and producer is essential. Understanding the characters and gathering solid background information will elevate the quality of the work.
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