"It's rare that you cut out something that is really good. You screen all of it, and when the audience doesn't respond, you cut out whatever is holding the story down"

This quote by Keenen Ivory Wayans provides insight into the filmmaking and modifying process, highlighting the importance of audience feedback and the difficult choices that should be made to boost a story. Wayans recommends that filmmakers and editors at first strive to showcase all their material, specifically components they think to be strong or important. Nevertheless, during screenings, audience reactions act as a vital barometer for assessing the effectiveness of the story.

Wayans acknowledges an essential aspect of storytelling: not every aspect, no matter how well-executed or initially appealing, will contribute positively to the total narrative. The expression, "It's uncommon that you cut out something that is actually good", highlights how creators are typically reluctant to remove segments they take pride in or have actually invested significant effort into. However, the supreme goal is to serve the story, and if an aspect does not resonate with the audience or diminishes the overarching plot, it must be reconsidered.

Audience feedback ends up being a vital tool for discerning what parts really boost the story. When Wayans says, "when the audience does not react, you eliminated whatever is holding the story down", he highlights the value of being responsive to audience responses and open up to making required changes to improve the storytelling. This process reflects a level of humbleness and flexibility, recognizing that developers sometimes require to set aside personal attachment to specific scenes or concepts for the higher good of the task.

Eventually, this quote underscores the collective nature of filmmaking, where audience engagement is an integral part of refining the narrative. Wayans highlights the delicate balance between innovative vision and audience reception, illustrating how the editing process plays an essential function in crafting an engaging and cohesive story that resonates with viewers.