The Master Video must be placed at the very beginning of the timeline as a working, non-rendered project. It is a continuous, ongoing edit, not a final deliverable at this stage. The Master Video must not be rendered or locked until performance data from the short videos and trailers is available. This performance data (views, retention, engagement) is essential to determine which hooks, trailers, and short segments perform best. Only after reviewing the results of the shorts and trailers will we decide which trailers to place at the beginning of the Master Video, which short clips to insert before specific interview segments, and the exact order and positioning of these elements. The Master Video is considered firmed up and finalised only after this optimisation process is complete.

Master Video Editing Manual – Street Interview Format

1. Folder Structure & Purpose

Each folder represents one full filming day and is named with the date. All files inside that folder together represent the total raw recording for that day.

This filming method is intentional:

• Recording starts and is almost never stopped
• Recording only stops for short breaks (food, coffee, rest)
• This is done on purpose to capture the full reality of the day

The objective is to create one Master Video per day (“Master Video / Video Maestro”) that documents the entire day from start to finish.

2. Building the Master Timeline (Mandatory)

Editors must:

• Arrange all clips in correct chronological order
• Use file timestamps to align clips properly
• Ensure the timeline reflects the real sequence of the day

The Master Video must begin with the first recording moment and end with the last recording moment of that day.

3. Top-Right Timer (Critical)

A continuous timer must be visible in the top right corner at all times.

• Starts at 00:00:00
• Represents the real total time spent filming that day
• This is a day-time indicator, not an edit timer

Timer Jump Rule (Non-Negotiable)

When footage is cut, the timer must jump forward to reflect the removed time.

Example:

• Timer shows 01:30
• You cut 2 minutes of walking/searching
• Next visible frame must show 03:30

These jumps must remain visible. They show:

• How long the full day actually was
• How much time was spent finding interviews

4. What Must Be Cut

You must remove all dead or inactive footage, including:

• Walking without speaking
• Mumbling to oneself
• Standing, waiting, or searching
• Moments where nothing meaningful happens

Only keep footage where:

• I ask someone if they want to be interviewed
• The person responds (yes or no)
• The interview itself takes place

5. Counters (Mandatory)

Bottom Right – Green Counter (Successful Interviews)

• Increase by +1 every time someone agrees to an interview
• Shows total successful interviews for the day

Bottom Left – Red Counter (Rejections)

• Increase by +1 every time someone says no
• Shows total rejections for the day

Counters never reset.

6. Face Visibility & Blurring Rules

Accepted Interviews

• Faces must be fully visible
• No cropping or obscuring

Rejections

• All rejected individuals’ faces must be 100% blurred
• No exceptions
• Faces of people who say no must never be shown

7. Absolute Prohibition: WeChat / RedNote

Never include footage of:

• Asking for WeChat
• Asking for RedNote / Redbook
• Any social-media exchange

If I ask for WeChat or RedNote:

• Cut the footage completely
• Whether they give it or not is irrelevant
• This content must never appear

This rule is extremely important.

8. Language & Subtitles

• Final spoken language must be English
• If another language is spoken:
  • Cut it out, or
  • Translate clearly into English

Subtitles (Mandatory)

• All interviews must have subtitles
• Subtitles must be in English and Chinese
• Subtitles apply to the entire interview content

9. What MUST Be Kept Even If It Feels “Boring” (Very Important)

Certain moments must NOT be cut, even if they appear slow or uneventful, when they show genuine attraction or social proof.

This includes, especially outside the interview and at the end:

• The woman lingering after the interview
• Continued smiling, eye contact, or engagement
• Natural curiosity, warmth, or attraction
• Relaxed post-interview conversation (as long as no WeChat/RedNote is asked)
• Genuine human connection that confirms interest

These moments are critical because they:

• Show real, unscripted attraction
• Increase authenticity and credibility
• Strengthen pre-selection and social proof

If a moment clearly shows genuine interest or attraction, it should be kept in the full Master Video, even if nothing “dramatic” is happening.

10. Final Editor Checklist

Before export, confirm:

• One folder = one full day
• One Master Video per day
• Clips aligned by timestamp
• Top-right day timer with jumps
• Bottom-left red rejection counter
• Bottom-right green interview counter
• Dead time removed
• Rejected faces fully blurred
• No WeChat / RedNote shown
• English audio + English & Chinese subtitles
• Genuine attraction moments preserved

Failure to follow these rules breaks the format.

11. Individual Interview Final-Cut Editing Rule (Mandatory)

While editing the Master Video, every individual interview must be edited as if it were already the final published version.

This means the Master Video must contain interviews that are publication-ready, not rough or temporary edits.

Editing Standards for Each Interview

You must:

• Remove all unnecessary pauses
• Cut any silence or hesitation longer than 3 seconds
• Remove repeated words, filler sounds, or dead air
• Tighten answers while preserving natural speech
• Maintain a smooth, engaging pace throughout

What This Means in Practice

• Do not leave long pauses just because the interview is inside the Master Video
• Do not assume the interview will be re-edited later
• Do not leave boring sections in “to fix later”

Each interview inside the Master Video must already be:

• Cleanly paced
• Engaging to watch
• Free of unnecessary pauses
• Edited to final-cut standard

This rule exists because each interview will later be reused and published independently.

Attention to detail at this stage is mandatory.