Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538125
29 F A L L Q 3 I S S U E F E A T U R E CineMontage sat down with Valerio to explore how he and White craft and pace the show's emotional highs and chilling undercurrents in the editing room. CineMontage: How has the show evolved over three seasons? John M. Valerio: I think it evolves every season, with every new location, new characters, stories, and themes. Overall, the show has expanded in its scope and scale: starting as a six-episode limited series set in one location for Season 1, it evolved by Season 3 into an eight-episode drama series shot in multiple cities, islands, and various venues, with a storyline connected to past seasons. The stories and characters have gotten darker: from an accidental death in Season 1, to a murder plot in Season 2, to revenge murder, family suicide fantasies, and incest in Season 3. CineMontage: How do you take on additional roles in production, beyond being an editor? Valerio: I arrived in Thailand for prep before we started shooting because I was directing second unit and wanted to get a feel for the locations. I tried to find anything interesting that might inspire some stylistic or thematic transitions that could add to the vibe of the season. Our location B-roll is always a priority because the White Lotus location is an important character that greatly influences the arcs and journeys of the other characters. I also like being on set to feel the instant reaction to what's being shot — hearing the cheers, the laughter, seeing the high fives, or sometimes feeling the frustration. I get the real-time download of what Mike is thinking and feeling. Later in the cutting room, when I'm watching the dailies, it's a fun and interesting exercise to recall that initial feeling from set and compare it to the feeling I get viewing the footage with fresh eyes. Sometimes it helps inform my choices. CineMontage: How does Mike White collaborate with you as a second unit director? Valerio: Mike is an amazing collabora- tor. He trusts me, and it's a real honor and privilege to have earned that trust. For the B-roll, Mike discusses the specific things he knows he wants. For other shots, he lets me fly free to grab whatever I think we'll need, or whatever inspires me. During prep, we discussed our use of waves in previous seasons, and this season we decided no more waves! We talked about leaning into more shots of the jungle: monkeys, animals, shots of the monks. There are some wave transitions this season — we couldn't help it — but not nearly as many. Maybe next season there will be none.