Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546034
46 C I N E M O N T A G E at Blue Collar Post Collective meetups in New York. I was working in reality, and I kept asking who I needed to talk to who worked in scripted. The organizer, Chelsea Taylor, kept recommending me to the studio's Senior Post, but the producers ini- tially felt I did not have enough experience. Eventually, the timing lined up where they needed someone ASAP who was union and knew Adobe Premiere, and they gave me a shot on my first feature film, "On the Count of Three." Q What credits or projects are you proudest of, and why? I am very proud of working on the TV se- ries "Billions." It was the first time I worked on a show I was already a fan of, and it also turned out to be one of the best teams I have ever worked with. I still remember how all the assistant editors met up at a tiki bar in Brooklyn in Halloween costumes. Q What was the biggest challenge in your job (or on a particular project) and how did you overcome/solve it? One of the biggest challenges of my career was helping transition "On the Count of Three" from Adobe Premiere to Avid Media Composer mid-director's cut, during reshoots, while working across multiple time zones during the pandemic. I was based in New York while the producers were in Los Angeles, and the editorial team included editors in Los Angeles, New York, London, and New Zealand. M o v i n g t h e f i l m b e t w e e n e d i t i n g p l a t f o r m s c a u s e d m a j o r i s s u e s w i t h AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) and EDL (Edit Decision List) files, resulting in strange errors when the project was brought into Avid. In the end, I essentially recut the film in Avid using reference cuts. It meant many late nights and even waking up in the middle of the night to keep things moving across time zones. During that pro- cess, I learned a tremendous amount from the editors I worked with, including Ernie Gilbert, David Leonard, Jon Poll, Jon Harris, and Tom Eagles. I t w a s i n c re d i b l y re w a rd i n g w h e n the film premiered at Sundance, won an award there, and was later purchased by Annapurna and released on Hulu. I even had producers tell me they appreciated the long nights and that the film could not have been finished without me. Q What was the most fun you've had at work? Working on the film "Old Dads" was probably the most fun. I learned a lot work- ing with editor Patrick Don Vito, and having Bill Burr in the office directing meant there was laughter every day. One day, he asked me if I liked sports. I knew he loved them, so I was a little nervous to admit that I did not really follow them. When he asked what I liked instead, I said video games like Grand Theft Auto. With- out missing a beat, he said, "Oh yeah, why would you want to touch a football when you can blow up a city?" Later, I got the chance to see him per- form live at the Forum, and he even signed my tickets. Q Jobwise, what do you hope to be doing five years from now? Within the next five years, I hope to make the jump from assistant editor to sitting in the editing chair. I would love to be cutting narrative films and television while continuing to collaborate with the talented teams I have met through the Guild. Q What are your outside activities, hobbies, passions? Outside of work, I enjoy going to con- certs, traveling, developing software, and, of course, watching movies and tv shows. Q Favorite movie(s)? Why? It's ever- changing, but some of my favorite films are "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," "The Social Network," and "The Aviator." These films are very motivating for me because they show how powerful storytelling and editing can be in shaping a film's energy and impact. Q Favorite TV program(s)? Why? S o m e o f my f av o r i te T V s h o w s a re "Breaking Bad," "Succession," and "Silicon Valley." I have learned a lot from watching the strong storytelling in these shows and how they structure character arcs, pacing, and long-form narrative. Q Do you have an industry mentor? I've been fortunate to learn from many great editors and assistant editors through- out my career. I am still hoping to f ind someone who can truly take me under their wing, someone I can work alongside of and continue learning from. Q What advice would you offer to some- one interested in pursuing your line of work? Always be learning, always be humble, and always be networking. Q Was there ever a circumstance when you had to rely on the Guild for help or assistance? The Guild has helped me in many ways, from providing opportunities to learn and network to helping me financially when I was between a rock and a hard place. I am very grateful for that support and hope to give back one day. Q Is there anything you'd like to say to your fellow Guild members, some words of encouragement? I am incredibly grateful to the members I have already met and to those I have yet to meet. It is an honor to be part of such a talented community. ■ Compiled by David Bruskin WOMD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13