The Zack Arnold Podcast The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)
ACE Editor Steve Lang truly means it when he says,
“If I can help somebody get a job, it's almost just as satisfying as if I got the job myself.”
As we discussed in part 1 of our marathon interview together, not only did Steve play a huge role in getting me my first television editing job on Burn Notice (despite the fact I didn’t have enough experience), but he has helped countless numbers of his assistants get into the editing chair and move on to successful careers. If you missed part one, you might want to go back and listen to that one first, where we discuss in detail, how Steve has navigated a varied career in post-production while avoiding getting pigeonholed, and how it's possible to use skills over experience to get the jobs you want (if you know how to tell the right story).
What you'll hear in part two is Steve's philosophy on mentoring his assistants, how he approaches his editor's cuts, and his best advice for making the transition from assistant to editor. We also dive into Steve's work habits, his lifestyle choices, and how he has learned to balance his intense focus abilities to avoid wreaking havoc on his health and relationships. Steve has generously shared his knowledge and experience through mentorship over the years and I'm immensely grateful that he has given his time to talk with me and share his wisdom with you.
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Here's What You'll Learn:
- Why Steve likes hiring assistants that want to be editors.
- Steve's playbook that he gives to every assistant he hires to help them get into the editor's chair.
- Steve's philosophy on putting his editor cut together.
- How Steve helps his assistants learn and grow as editors.
- Advice for seasoned assistants having trouble getting into the editor's chair.
- The one thing Steve finds more valuable than experience or skills when hiring an editor.
- Why you have to love the process of editing to keep your sanity and passion alive.
- Steve talks about his battle with Crohn's disease and how it affected his career and his life.
- How the pandemic has affected his work hours.
- How he manages his habit of working late and trying to balance his health and creativity.
- What is next on the horizon for Steve.
- Final advice from Steve for new editors and assistants.
- How to connect with Steve.
Useful Resources Mentioned:
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Guest Bio:
Steven Lang was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1992, but his real education began the six years he spent working at a video store from the age of sixteen to twenty-one. It was there where his love of movies began and planted the seed that the entertainment business was where his passion lies. He moved out to California two weeks after graduating college without a single contact or connection to pursue his dream and never looked back. One of his first industry job was at a TV movie production company that owned their own Avid editing systems and gave him the opportunity to learn his craft. Self-taught, he literately opened up the Avid manual and started from page one. He spent many late nights and weekends learning the system and editing anything he could get his hands on. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to assist on a TV movie, and his editing career was born. Twenty-four years later, Steven has edited over 120 hours of television while working with many of the top Writers/Producers/Directors/Creators in the industry including David E. Kelley, Billy Crystal, David Milch, Steven Bochco, Ridley & Tony Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ray McKinnon, Larry Charles, Ben Watkins, and Matt Nix. He most recently edited the pilot and season 1 for the "Turner & Hooch" reboot for Disney + directed by McG.
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).
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