Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1456671
ASHLEY MCKINNEY P H OT O : C O U R T E S Y A S H L E Y M C K I N N E Y ASSISTANT EDITOR Q Where are you currently employed? Paramount studios. Q Current projects? I ' m a s e co n d a ss i s ta n t e d i to r fo r a feature at Paramount. Before this project, I worked with editor Josie Azzam on a short film for Netflix. Through the pan- demic, also for Netflix, I was an assistant on season two of "Never Have I Ever" and part of the assistant team with Matt Latham on "Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal." Q Describe your job. As an assistant editor, I anticipate various needs – technical, creative, and anything in between -- to help make sure the editorial staff runs smoothly. This can include temp sound clean up, exports, and turnovers to various other departments. Sometimes there is troubleshooting in- volved in trying to figure out what the hell that Avid error message means, or even some creative troubleshooting like how we can help the editor sell a visual idea with graphics, temp visual effects, or cre- ative brainstorming. Q How did you first become interested in this line of work? I've always been fascinated with the craft and skill that goes into filmmaking. When I was in about sixth grade, we had to write a report on a career we might be in- terested in. I chose the film industry, but my teacher wanted me to be more specific, so after poring over a bunch of lists and read- ing up on all the different credits behind the scenes, I discovered what editing was. I've always been obsessed with figuring out puzzles, and that's how I see editing: they're giant story puzzles that sometimes f it together super-easily, sometimes not, but they can be played with until you reveal the emotion, even if the continuity is off. Ever since then, I've been working to become an editor. Q Who gave you your first break? From the time I left non-union reality work, I've been very fortunate to find my way into union work. Assistant editor Alan Mackulin recommended me for several things. Many other assistant editors have 18 C I N E M O N T A G E W H A T A R E M E M B E R S D O