Simplified: Place each scene into its own sequence. When all scenes are done, the sequences themselves get placed into a final sequence.
Each audio track should get its own layer in the sequence, making the basic mixing easier. Also, if you export the audio to an audio pro they'll have all the layers to play with individually as well.
Video tracks don't get anywhere as complicated, and the majority of your footage will be on the same track. Not too tricky, really.
The biggest hassle is organising all the assets when they are first imported.
I generally agree with this (though I don't think organizing is the toughest part). With editing, the KISS method is a good one to subscribe to. But each editor will have to find their own rhythm, and we'll each reach our own conclusion of what is more simplified.
Two video tracks is the norm for me. Overall, track 1 gets used maybe five-times more often than track 2, but track 2 is absolutely essential to my workflow. An example timeline:
In this instance, I'm using two tracks to help me work out the timing. I believe a movie should be exactly as long as it needs to be, and not one frame longer. When I edit, timing is obviously at the forefront of my mind, and it is
always a priority for me to keep it trim. For every single cut, I cut it, then cut it some more, until I realize that I've gone too far, then I back off.
Anyway, the reason it helps to have two tracks is because I literally just keep moving one track around, on top of the other. I place a clip in the timeline, roughly where I think it needs to be. I watch it. I realize it's too early, so I move it maybe five frames later. I watch it, and decide to move it two frames earlier. I watch it. Almost perfect. I move it one frame forward. I watch it. I like it. I watch it again. And again. And again. And again. And again. Yep, I like it, let's leave it there. And that's a relatively
easy cut!
Now, if I were to try that method using only one track, then every new adjustment would require that I lengthen/shorten the previous clip. That would be annoying. On top of that, there's also the fact that I often don't keep audio and video linked. It is quite normal for me to want to bring audio or video in earlier or later than the other, and it is a whole lot simpler to do that with two video tracks.
So, keep it simple. Do what works for you. Except...
You have just decided to take one of the most important jobs in filmmaking and place it in the hands of a complete rookie, for what is perhaps your most important project. If it's a cost issue, I understand the need to make difficult decisions. But you should understand that editing is a WHOLE LOT more than just technical know-how.
When production is nearing a wrap, shoot me a PM. Should timing work out, you and I might be interested in collaborating. I certainly understand the desire to keep creative control over your babies. But my honest recommendation is that you continue to let someone else cut your work, if not me, if not one of your go-to editors, then maybe someone new.
The first time you stepped onto an ice-skating rink, were you any good? The first time you tried to ride a bike, without training-wheels, were you any good? The first time you tried using chop-sticks? The first time you tried juggling? The first time you tried to kiss a girl? The first time you tried to parallel-park? The first time you wrote a screenplay?
Are you sure you want that clumsy kid editing The Kholman Files?!
