Balancing Health and Creativity in Hollywood Editing

"We want to promote health and wellbeing to editors because they work so hard."

- Kevin Tent

As the recently elected President of American Cinema Editors (ACE), Kevin Tent is leading the charge to make working smarter instead of harder in the edit bay one of his top priorities. He's dedicated to making changes like taking regular walk breaks, adding in meditation, and even taking an occasional nap (the horror!!!!) to enhance your creativity and get you through the day with more energy left over for your family and yourself when work is done.

Kevin describes himself as a "somewhat professional film editor who has worked in Hollywood for nearly 30 years,” who is best known for his collaboration with director Alexander Payne having edited films like Citizen Ruth, Election, About Schmidt, Sideways, Nebraska, Blow, and Girl Interrupted. He has learned the value of taking care of his body and mind while trying to balance the demanding schedules of Hollywood feature films.

In our conversation, Kevin and I talk candidly about the habits he's implemented for better health and creativity while editing (many of which came about from learning the hard way from years of neglect). He also clears up the confusion about the American Cinema Editors organization and details how someone can qualify and become a member. And most importantly he speaks honestly about the value of becoming an ACE member and the benefits that doing so can have on your well-being and career (Hint: It's not to boost your career or find more jobs).

If you want to know how one of the top names in the feature editing game stays sharp and continues to work at such a high level, today’s conversation is for you.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• Kevin's origin story of how he got started editing.
• How ten years of editing for Roger Corman made him an "overnight success" after the success of Election.
• The steps he took to avoid getting pigeonholed.
• Kevin wants to use ACE to promote healthy lifestyles in post production.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Exercise and meditation habits stick when it is something you want to do rather than something you have to do.
• His morning bike ride often gets him out of creative blocks in scenes.
• Afternoon walks with Alexander Payne are creatively beneficial for both of them while working on a movie.
• Kevin uses naps to give him a renewed sense of energy.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: All the best ideas happen when you're away from the computer.
• He wants to influence people to understand it is healthy to take walks and breaks during your day.
• The political instigator that got Kevin to start a meditation practice.
• The types of meditation he's tried and the benefits he's gained from a regular practice.
• The myriad of soft skills necessary for an editor to have and how meditation compliments these skills.
• Why editors are so undervalued and not treated as the integral creatives that they are.
• Director Alexander Payne has a deep respect for editors on his films.
• Being invisible artists makes it hard to get the credit we deserve.
• Kevin describes what ACE is, the history of how it began, and how you can join.
• Best advice for anyone who wants to edit big feature films like Kevin.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

American Cinema Editors

ACE Member Directory

Requirements for Joining ACE

Continue to Listen & Learn

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Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

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Guest Bio:

Kevin Tent (ACE) has been a somewhat professional film editor in Hollywood for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his long time collaboration with director Alexander Payne. Their first collaboration was on Payne’s Sundance hit “Citizen Ruth,” starring Laura Dern. Followed by the critical hit “Election” staring Reese Witherspoon (for which Tent earned his first American Cinema Editor’s nomination). Tent received his second ACE nomination for “About Schmidt” starring Jack Nicholson and his third for “Sideways” starring Thomas Haden Church & Paul Giamati. In 2011 Tent was nominated for both an ACE and an Academy Award® for his editing on “The Descendants”, starring George Clooney. He won the Eddie for best dramatic film of 2011. He was also nominated for an ACE award for his work on “Nebraska” in 2014 and worked with Payne on his most recent film “Downsizing” staring Matt Damon. After attending Los Angeles City College’s film school, Tent got his first break working for legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman cutting classic films like “Emmanuelle 5” and “Not of This Earth”. While continuing to hone his skills in the throws of B-movies, Tent also tapped into the emerging Independent film movement in the US. Cutting the underground hit “Guncrazy” directed by Tamra Davis and the above mentioned “Citizen Ruth” by Payne. Some of Tent’s other credits include “Blow” the late Ted Demme’s drug epic staring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. James Mangold’s “Girl Interrupted” staring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, (Jolie winning an academy award for her performance). “Disconnect” directed by Henry Alex Rubin, “Welcome To Me” starring Kristin Wigg and “Parched” a foreign language film by Indian director Leena Yadav. More recently Tent’s credits include “Otherhood” from director Cindy Chupack & producer Cathy Schulman and “The Peanut Butter Falcon” staring Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen. Tent has worked with director Barry Sonnenfeld numerous times, Nancy Meyers on the “The Intern” and Martin Scorsese on his short film “The Audition”.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).