Zac Arnold, award-winning Hollywood film & television editor and creator of the Optimize Yourself program, shares his expertise on how to edit your life and optimize yourself. Topics include: overcoming imposter syndrome, early work experiences, the impact of growing up in poverty, the influence of TV shows and personal connections in the entertainment industry, the journey from assistant editor to major editing jobs, the importance of having a plan B, the art and impact of film editing, and introducing Solgar Cellular Nutrition.
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Quick takeaways
Zac Arnold's background as an editor enabled them to help people create meaningful emotional moments and support clients in all aspects of life.
The speaker's deep connection to The Karate Kid movie led them to work on Cobra Kai, showcasing the power of personal passion in career opportunities.
Editors play a crucial role in shaping narratives and evoking emotions in films by selecting the best takes, constructing scenes, and creating meaningful viewing experiences.
Deep dives
Discovering Personal Potential through Imposter Syndrome
The speaker discusses how they initially experienced imposter syndrome in their coaching career due to feelings of inadequacy and lack of knowledge. However, they realized that their background as an editor gave them skills to help people create and experience significant emotional moments. This realization led to a shift in perspective and the ability to support clients by distilling their thoughts and emotions into meaningful moments.
The Influence of The Karate Kid on Life and Career
The speaker reflects on the impact of The Karate Kid movie on their youth, noting that it provided an escape from their challenging school years. The film's emphasis on balance resonated personally, with their father even using the film to teach valuable life lessons. The speaker's deep connection to the movie eventually led them to work on Cobra Kai, a series that revisits The Karate Kid story. Their passion for the film and understanding of its underlying themes impressed the show's creators and helped them secure a job on the project.
Navigating the Non-Linear Path of a Career in Editing
The speaker describes their journey in the editing industry, starting with working on low-budget movie trailers. They eventually transitioned to editing independent features and higher-profile movie marketing materials. The breakthrough came when they landed their first major editing job on the TV series Burn Notice, leading to opportunities on other acclaimed series like Glee, Shooter, and Empire. The sum of these experiences and alternate paths eventually led them to work on Cobra Kai, further expanding their career as an editor.
The Profound Role of Editing in Conveying Emotion
The speaker highlights the often-underappreciated role of an editor in the filmmaking process. They emphasize that editors are responsible for sifting through hours of footage to construct a compelling narrative. Drawing a comparison to cinematographers who paint with light, editors are described as painting with emotion. They have the power to shape and evoke emotions in the audience by selecting the best takes, constructing scenes, and crafting sequences to create a meaningful viewing experience.
The Power of Editing in Creating Emotional Moments
The speaker describes the role of an editor in creating emotional moments in films and TV shows. They compare it to playing Tetris with people's emotions, using different video and audio elements to evoke specific feelings in the audience. The speaker also discusses the transition from being an editor to becoming a coach, realizing that the skills of storytelling and creating emotional moments can be applied to helping real people edit and better tell their own stories.
Embracing Authenticity and Overcoming Disabilities
The podcast explores the importance of authenticity and embracing one's own limitations. The speaker emphasizes that everyone has a disability, although it may vary in different contexts. They encourage reframing disabilities as potential superpowers and finding alternative paths to success. The conversation also touches on the influence of 80s nostalgia and the simplicity of that era in creating emotional resonance in TV shows and films, such as Cobra Kai.
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Zac Arnold, award-winning Hollywood film & television editor and creator of the Optimize Yourself program. In this episode, Zac shares his expertise on how to edit your life and optimize yourself. Discover his unique approach to help creatives and entrepreneurs do better and be better in all aspects of life.