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92 M PS E . O R G use it, built a logging system and began downloading and tracking VFX from Industrial Light & Magic. I could then cut these into our picture edit and generate videos for the sound crew and mix stages. Many long days and nights followed but we had a pipeline for staying up to date with the latest VFX. I was quite proud of the systems we developed, and they served us well since the schedule was so tight. War of the Worlds hit the mix stage just four weeks after the production wrapped principal photography! Oh, my goodness, four weeks? How was that even possible? Even though I'm very curious, we'll have to leave that story for someone else to tell. Aristotle wrote: "We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." Would you agree that your work has gotten better over time? Oh, absolutely! My work has definitely gotten better over time. When I started, assistant editing was considered a stepping-stone to becoming an editor and that can still be true. However, I would argue that it has evolved to become a full-fledged discipline requiring skills that are unique to this job. If these 70-plus films have given me anything, it is experience. And experience has taught me habits that made me a better assistant and hopefully a better person. I have made plenty of mistakes over the years but hopefully not the same ones twice. Comedian Steven Wright once quipped, "Experience is something that you don't get until just after you need it," and I have always tried to learn from my mistakes. I realised that if I wanted to work on films at this level, I would need to develop good habits and a strong work ethic like I witnessed in those around me. There is something thrilling about working with a group of really talented people at the pinnacle of their profession, doing incredible work; it is infectious. Not that you seem to get much downtime, but what do you get up to in between films? How do you decompress? I have many hobbies to keep me busy when not on a project. I brew beer at home. I am also teaching myself how to arc-weld. I grow an extensive vegetable garden which is challenging and fun. My wife and I love cooking together and trying out new recipes. I also enjoy watching movies and hanging out with my dog. My wife teases me that I have too many hobbies, but I like learning new skills and challenging myself. I'm thinking of making cheese next. Cheese? I know some sound editors in Australia who are thinking the same thing! Perhaps there's room for a transnational collaboration— ha! To finish our chat, can you tell us what your next project is? What are you looking forward to about it? I recently started work on Clint Eastwood's latest film, Juror #2. This is the first time our team has worked with this director, and we are relishing the opportunity. The film is a courtroom drama where the main character is called to sit on the jury of a murder trial and is confronted with a serious moral dilemma. It is a rare occasion to work with such a legendary actor and filmmaker, and quite an honour to be a part of this director's next project. Author's note: This article was compiled on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation (Sydney, Australia). The author wishes to pay her respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. Sound Post crew, Maestro, (l-r) Unsun Song, Victoria Ruggiero, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich, Michelle Tesoro, Richard King, Dean Zupancic & Andrew, Warner Bros. Stage A, NYC, 2023. Photo by Unsun Song. Attending the BAFTAs for Oppenheimer, (l-r) Kevin O'Connell Richard King, Gary Rizzo & Andrew, 2024. Photo courtesy of Andrew Bock.