Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525212
14 C I N E M O N T A G E A R O U N D T H E G U I L D Sean Linal, left, with Erik C. Andersen, Corey Trench, Deanna Norwell and Timothy A. Good. P H OT O : S E A N L I N A L It's a win-win. What are some of the key ways to show leadership and/or teamwork in the cutting room? S e a n L i n a l : W h e n I wa s o n "Q u e e n Sugar," I was assisting the first editor for Season 1, so I was the first one there. I set up everyone's project, and those assistants thanked me later, but they didn't have to thank me. The point I'm making is to go above and beyond for everyone because you're a part of a team. It's all about being a team player. F i l o J o n e s : S o m e t h i n g w e d i d o n "Dahmer" is my assistant editor and I would check in every morning: "OK, we have some heavy footage today. How are you feeling about it?" I think that applies to any project, even if it's not super-heavy or super-dark. It's important to make sure you're checking in with the people that you're working with and that they're happy with what they're doing and that they're OK. Andersen: One of the things I tried to do on the show "Superstitions," since I was the lead editor, was sunset walks. I would make everybody stop working at whatever the time the sun was setting, and we'd go on a walk around the building. We barely talked about work. We talked about other stuff and we got to know each other. What do you recommend for assistant editors who want to network effectively? Linal: A lot of assistant editors are shy. But I want you to know social media is a powerful tool…you show people, the higher-ups, that you're hard-working and you love what you're doing. You love being there — and they're going to want you on their show. Deanna Norwell: These events and panels. Workshops. Having the opportunity to meet different directors, producers, and editors. My last job I got was because I worked with a director who had a good experience working with me, and so they recommended me for a Marvel project. Trench: Know who you're talking to. An easy layup is if you know what they've worked on and can reference anything, like, "Hey, I love that show," or, "I liked how you did that scene." That is an easy way to really get comfortable talking to somebody and then tell them who you are. Charles Little II: I use the word trust a lot. There's a couple of million dollars and 100 people who've gotten together to create this pile of footage. They ask you to cut it. It's a trust thing; there's a schedule, there's a time frame. They're counting on you. This is a craft and you've got to love it, for the amount of hours that we spend doing it. So I hope all the assistant editors out there who are in pursuit of the chair are really in pursuit of it because it's what you feel that you are: an editor. ■