Time in an edit suite costs money. Sometimes big money. The more you know about the editing process and its related technology, the less time you'll spend asking the editor what something means. And less time means a lower editing bill.

Don't worry if you can't operate the equipment, using the gear is the editor's job. Just learn enough to tell the editor what to do. If phrases like, "I want to put a dissolve here," or "Cut to the wide shot when she leaves the frame" don't sound like a foreign language, then you probably know enough to work comfortably and efficiently in an editing bureau.

If you don't know much about how editing works, most editors will help explain things along the way. Just be aware that you pay twice for every minute that an editor spends explaining something to you. You pay them once to explain something to you, and then pay them again to actually edit your program.

It can be a great way to learn about the process, but it can also cost you big chunks of money.

Although the hourly charges at an edit bureau may seem high, you can keep your bill under control by just being prepared.

Make most, if not all, of your edit decisions before you walk into the edit suite. When you're in the suite, the meter's running. It's best to make every second of that time count toward actually editing the show, not deciding which shot goes where.

Come to the editing session with a very detailed list of which shots you want to use in the video, and where they are on each source tape. This is called the edit decision list, or EDL, and it can minimize the time you spend shuttling tapes to find a specific shot.

Many videomakers save time and money by performing an "offline" edit using low-cost computer gear to assemble their program, then outputting the EDL to a floppy disk in a standard format for use at the editing suite. This use of the portable electronic EDL is one of the best ways to make efficient use of your time in the edit facility. A number of low-cost hardware and software solutions exist to help you with this task, including a few plug-ins for nonlinear editing systems that allow you to digitize your clips at a low resolution, assemble your program on the nonlinear timeline, then output an EDL for use at an editing facility.

If you have photographs or slides that you need to add to a video, shoot them all at one time, instead of adding them "as needed" during the edit. This will save you the time it takes to set up the camera for each inserted item.

Also, it's helpful for both you and the editor to have some notes about the program. If you have a script you're working from, make an extra copy for the editor to review during the editing session.

You can save a few dollars by bringing your own blank tape to use as an edited master. Some edit shops charge more than you need to pay for these tapes. If you buy your own master tape stock, don't skimp on quality. Get the best tape you can afford so your show looks its best.

Phone books are a great place to start. Look under "Video Production," "Video Post Production," or "Video Editing" in the Yellow Pages.

You can also get Video Production Resource Guides from state or city governments in large metropolitan areas. Your local Chamber of Commerce probably has a directory of member businesses, and you might find an editing shop there as well.

You can ask local video store owners if they have suggestions. Other businesspeople who've used video as a training or marketing tool may also have the name of a good facility.

Don't treat an edit suite like a fast food restaurant: "Get in, get what I want and get out." The people who own editing bureaus usually have a vested interest in seeing people succeed in their video projects. They want to help you make the most of the medium, and have fun in the process. That's what makes you come back next time.

Take the time to get to know the owners and the technicians you work with in an editing facility. They can show you video tricks you never knew were possible. They might even show you short cuts to make your projects easier and cheaper to produce.

Above all, make them a part of your production team. While there may be a few who simply want to take your money and run, most want to make your show as good or better than you imagine it.

By approaching them, and the process, with an open mind, you'll probably surprise yourself with the great videos you can make at an edit bureau, and how much money it can save you.