First thing, grab a skeleton of the story before you start slicing. Lay out the key beats on a timeline—birth, gift, reaction, finale—and keep those anchors in place. Then, as you trim, think in thirds: the 1st third is the hook, the 2nd the build, the 3rd the payoff. If a cut throws the pace off, either tighten the clip or insert a quick cutaway that syncs with the beat of the music. Use the 3:1 rule for cuts—roughly three parts of a scene before you cut—to avoid feeling like a mad chef chopping at random. Finally, watch the entire sequence a few times, listen for any hiccups, and adjust until the rhythm feels natural, not forced. The story will stay intact while the flow becomes tight.

That’s the spirit—just keep your cuts crisp and your beats clear. If it feels too raw, a quick freeze‑frame can be a nice palate cleanser, but try to keep the narrative moving first. Good luck, and may your banana moments be the highlight, not the plot hole.