The Rough Cut

Roger Nygard, a veteran in documentary filmmaking and author of 'The Documentarian,' leads an engaging discussion with acclaimed filmmakers Davis Guggenheim, Liz Garbus, Rachel Grady, and Freida Lee Mock. They delve into the intricacies of narrative structure and character development, focusing on the art of storytelling and ethical dilemmas in documentary filmmaking. Insightful tips on editing and the financial aspects of producing documentaries are shared, alongside personal experiences that highlight the passion behind the lens.

Editor and Author - Steve Hullfish, ACE This is the second volume of the widely acclaimed Art of the Cut book published in 2017. This follow-up text expands on its predecessor with wisdom from more than 360 interviews with the world’s best editors (including nearly every Oscar winner from the last 30 years). Because editing is a highly subjective art form, and one that is critical to the success of motion picture storytelling, it requires side-by-side comparisons of the many techniques and solutions used by a wide range of editors from around the world. That is why this book compares and contrasts methodologies from a wide array of diverse voices and organizes that information so that it is easily digested and understood. There is no one way to approach editorial problems, so this book allows readers to see multiple solutions from multiple editors. The interviews contained within are carefully curated into topics that are most important to film editors and those who aspire to become film editors. The questions asked, and the organization of the book, are not merely an academic or theoretical view of the art of editing but rather the practical advice and methodologies of actual working film and TV editors, bringing benefits to both students and professional readers. The book is supplemented by a collection of downloadable online exclusive chapters, which cover additional topics ranging from Choosing the Project to VFX. In addition to the supplementary chapters, access to the full-color, full-resolution images printed in the book—and other exclusive images—is included. Steve Hullfish, ACE Steve has been editing professionally since 1984. He has edited theatrical feature films, (including Courageous, War Room, and Overcomer), TV series (including The Oprah Winfrey Show), and documentaries. He is the author of six other books on editing and post-production. He has taught editing to students and professionals all over the world, and his books have been translated into numerous languages. His work has also been published in post-production trade journals worldwide. Writing Art of the Cut: Vol II In our discussion with editor and author Steve Hullfish, ACE we talk about: Getting off the sidelines and into the editing game Turning three million words into one big book An editor getting notes from a hundred other editors The changing dynamic between assistant and editor How Avid can really save you money The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs Get your own copy of Art of The Cut Vol II See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Jake Roberts ACE, Will Files, Polly McKinnon and Lee Gilmore Although the ALIEN: ROMULUS postproduction team of Jake Roberts ACE, Will Files, Polly McKinnon and Lee Gilmore came into this project with a wealth of knowledge and experience amongst them, they still learned a thing or two from director Fede Álvarez, including Fede's not-so-secret formula for jump scares, as well as the notion that clear dialogue isn't always as important as gripping action.  Plus, they reveal the hidden intent of Álvarez to split ALIEN and ALIENS into the two sides of the REMUS/ROMULUS space station. ALIEN: ROMULUS is the ninth installment in the Alien franchise, set between the events of ALIEN (1979) and ALIENS (1986). The film follows a group of downtrodden young space colonists in pursuit of better life conditions.  During the course of their escape from endless servitude on a mining colony, they encounter hostile creatures while scavenging a derelict space station. JAKE ROBERTS, ACE After his work on CITADEL (2012), STARRED UP (2013), THE RIOT CLUB (2014) and BROOKLYN (2015), Roberts earned an Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing for his work on HELL OR HIGH WATER (2016) starring Chris Pine. The movie also garnered him a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.  Roberts then cut OUTLAW KING (2018) for Netflix directed by David Mackenzie.  He then began collaborating with director Alex Garland, editing his 2020 miniseries DEVS as well as his film, MEN (2022).  Prior to ALIEN: ROMULUS, Jake cut Garland's CIVIL WAR (2024). WILL FILES Will Files is known for his work on THE INVISIBLE MAN (2020), VENOM (2018), WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (2017), STAR WARS:  EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS (2017) and CLOVERFIELD (2008). POLLY McKINNON Polly McKinnon is known for DISTRICT 9 (2009), FORD V FERRARI (2019) and INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (2023).  In 2019 she won a Golden Reel Award for her sound editing on EXTINCTION (2018). LEE GILMORE Lee Gilmore is known for BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017), DUNE (2021) and THE BATMAN (2022).  Gilmore also won an Emmy for his work on the feature film, PREY (2022). Editing Alien: Romulus In our discussion with the Alien: Romulus postproduction team, we talk about: Bringing the noise to the set Clubbing with Fincher Going "Holm" again The sweet sound of saturated seventies screams Fede's formula for jump scares The Credits Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs Listen to Jake talk about his work on CIVIL WAR Hear Will discuss the psychology of SOUND DESIGN and how he employed it on GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE and THE BATMAN See what's new with Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editor - Eliot Knapman FURIOSA editor Eliot Knapman is no stranger to the post-apocalyptic postproduction of a Mad Max movie, having previously worked as ACE editor Margaret "Margie" Sixel's second assistant on MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.  For director George Miller's latest film in the franchise, not only was Eliot tapped to be co-editor with Sixel, but was there on set with Miller throughout production doing the first assembly under what had to be fun, but arduous, conditions. FURIOSA is the fifth installment in Miller's Mad Max franchise, and the first not focused on series protagonist Max Rockatansky, instead acting as both a spin-off prequel to MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) and an origin story for the Fury Road character Furiosa, portrayed by both Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne in the prequel.  Set 15 to 20 years before the events of Fury Road, the film follows the title character's life for over a decade, from her kidnapping by the forces of warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) to her ascension to the rank of Imperator. Eliot Knapman Prior to moving up to the editor's chair on FURIOSA, Eliot worked as a first assistant on such films as THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (2022) and THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017), and as a second assistant on films like MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) and THE GREAT GATSBY (2013). Editing FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA In our discussion with FURIOSA editor Eliot Knapman, we talk about: Origin stories on screen and in the cutting room Q-Taking it all in Digging through the ToyBox to build the War Rig Keeping your protagonist active Having fun with frame rates The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editors Dean Zimmerman and Shane Reid dive into the frenzied world of post-production for the much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine film. Dean, known for his work on Free Guy and Stranger Things, shares the challenges of tight schedules and last-minute effects, while Shane recounts his unexpected journey into the Deadpool franchise through Blake Lively. They discuss balancing humor for new viewers, the intricacies of collaborative editing, and the creative processes that make working on a major Marvel project both thrilling and daunting.

Editor - Terilyn A. Shropshire, ACE TWISTERS editor Terilyn Shropshire has more than a few action movies under her belt, but those films mostly featured action in the style of man (or woman) vs. man; films like THE OLD GUARD and THE WOMAN KING.  This time Teri takes on Mother Nature in a film where the visual effects are front and center in the set pieces. A standalone "spiritual" sequel to TWISTER (1996), TWISTERS tells the story of scientist and storm chaser, Kate Cooper.  Haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado, Kate gets lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi, to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. She soon crosses paths with Tyler Owens, a charming but reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures. As storm season intensifies, Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves in a fight for their lives as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma. TERILYN A. SHROPSHIRE, ACE Award-winning editor Terilyn A. Shropshire has risen to the pinnacle of the editing world over the course of her long career, consistently working on a broad range of films with the industry’s foremost filmmakers. Shropshire’s success spans many forms and mediums, and always accumulates accolades from both the industry and critics alike. Among Shropshire’s longtime collaborators is award-winning director/writer/producer Gina Prince-Bythewood, having worked with her closely since Bythewood’s classic debut, “Love & Basketball.” Shropshire most recently worked with Bythewood on “The Woman King,” for Sony’s Tristar Pictures. Among the many accolades Shropshire received for the film include an American Cinema Editors Eddie nomination for Best Edited Feature Film Drama Theatrical and winner for Outstanding Editing from the Black Reel Awards.  Other collaborations with Prince-Bythewood include the influential features “The Old Guard,” “Beyond the Lights,” and “The Secret Life of Bees.” Shropshire’s storied career also includes a number of films with long-time collaborator, Kasi Lemmons – the classic Southern drama “Eve’s Bayou,” along with “The Caveman’s Valentine,” “Talk to Me,” and “Black Nativity.” In 2019, Shropshire received an American Cinema Editors Eddie nomination for her work on Part 1 of Netflix’s four-part miniseries “When They See Us,” directed by Ava DuVernay. Shropshire earned an Emmy nomination for her Lifetime Achievement Award Tribute to Sidney Poitier for the 74th Annual Academy Awards and an ACE Eddie Award for the Jamie Foxx-starring crime drama, “Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story.” Teri serves on the Board of Governors at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Board of American Cinema Editors. Shropshire is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Diversity Committee of the Motion Picture Editor’s Guild. She is the recipient of the 2021 Sundance Institute/Adobe Mentorship Award for her commitment to supporting the future’s rising stars in the craft.  She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Cinema at the University of Southern California. Editing TWISTERS In our discussion with TWISTERS editor Terilyn Shropshire, we talk about: Soundtracks for stormy weather Cyclonic oners A need for editorial amnesia "Teri-nadoes" The kiss that never came The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs Hear Teri talk about his work on THE OLD GUARD and THE WOMAN KING See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editors - Susy Benaim and Todd Downing, ACE CLIPPED editors Susy Benaim and Todd Downing are no strangers to telling true stories about real-life characters, compelling and complicated real-life characters.  Those storytelling skills were put to the test for CLIPPED, a sordid soap opera about the day of reckoning for one of the NBA's most notorious owners. Created by showrunner Gina Welch and based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast The Sterling Affairs, CLIPPED focuses on the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (Ed O'Neill), amid the team's drive to win a championship under new coach Doc Rivers (Laurence Fishburne). SUSY BENAIM Susana Benaim is a Venezuelan Film and Television Editor best known for her work on THE DROPOUT on Hulu, NATIONAL TREAURE: EDGE OF HISTORY series for Disney+, and SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM C.J. WALKER on Netflix.  Susy is currently a Junior Mentor for the ACE Diversity Mentorship Program, for which she was also a mentee a few years prior. She recently wrapped editing on the feature film HURRICANNA, directed by Francesca Gregorini. TODD DOWNING, ACE Todd Downing, ACE edits television series, films, and documentaries across a wide range of genres, from arthouse animation to slapstick comedy to documentaries about the Syrian civil war.  His credits include RUSSIAN DOLL, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, FRONTLINE, and MRS. AMERICA.  He’s worked in both the U.K. and the U.S.A., and has been nominated for three BAFTAS, an ACE Eddie, and won two Royal Television Society awards. Editing CLIPPED In our discussion with CLIPPED editors Susy Benaim and Todd Downing, we talk about: Developing a "doom scroll" Being objective with dailies Spending time with horrible people Gina hates jazz Making a basketball series without basketball The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs Hear Todd talk about his work on MRS. AMERICA and RUSSIAN DOLL See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editor - Dan Lebental ACE BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F editor Dan Lebental not only took on the daunting task of bringing back a beloved character that audiences haven't seen in thirty years, but he did it with one hand.  The other was working simultaneously on another Bruckheimer blockbuster, BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE.  With the help of his long-time assistant, Dawn Michelle King, and his trusty "embedded sound design" workflow, Dan was able to pull off making both films in fine style. BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F sees the titular hero return to Beverly Hills to aid his adult daughter after her life is threated when she gets too close to a crime ring being investigated by Axel's old friend, Billy Rosewood. DAN LEBENTAL Editor Dan Lebental ACE seems to be the man to call when it's time for big laughs and big action.  Aside from the many films Dan has done in the MCU, including IRON MAN, IRON MAN 2, ANT MAN, SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, and SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, Dan's work can also be found in ELF, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES. Editing BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F In our discussion with BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F editor Dan Lebental, we talk about: When an editor works both sides of the street Nailing the nostalgia notes Doing a deeper dive on embedded sound design Taking a logical look at the script Defining the 80's style of filmmaking The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Hear Dan talk about his work on; SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, ELF, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editor - Viks Patel THE SYMPATHIZER editor Viks Patel was a fan of director Park Chan-wook long before they ever teamed up to work on their new MAX series.  But unbeknownst to Viks, the pair had actually worked together previously, in a sense, on SNOWPIERCER (2020). Viks edited the pilot for the series which Director Park exec produced.  Back together again on THE SYMPATHIZER, the two joined creative forces to bring Viet Thanh Nguyen's book to the small screen in a big way. Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren't over. VIKS PATEL In addition to his work on THE SYMPATHIZER, Viks Patel won an Emmy® in 2008 for his work on TOP CHEF and was nominated for an Emmy® in 2020 for his work on OZARK.  Viks has also edited shows such as THE MORNING SHOW (2019), BATES MOTEL (2015-16) and LONGMIRE (2012-14). Editing THE SYMPATHIZER In our discussion with THE SYMPATHIZER editor Viks Patel, we talk about: Drama in the front, comedy in the back Voicing thoughts on voice overs The sweet soul sounds of seventies needle drops Sound designing the Saigon sequence RDJ on the sacred mystery of editing The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer Hear Viks Patel talk about cutting Ozark Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Editor Sandra Adair, ACE and assistant editor Carissa Bronson HIT MAN editor Sandra Adair, ACE is no stranger to working with writer/director Richard Linklater.  The two first collaborated on Linklater's debut studio feature, DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993).  Over the next thirty years they would go on to make the "Before" trilogy - BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), BEFORE SUNSET (2004), BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013), as well as the over-a-decade-in-the-making BOYHOOD (2014), for which Sandra would receive an Oscar® nomination for Best Film Editing.  Someone else Sandra has had by her side in the cutting for several years is assistant editor Carissa Bronson, who first worked with Sandra on her documentary, THE SECRET LIFE OF LANCE LETSCHER (2017). The somewhat true story of HIT MAN tells the tale of Gary Johnson, who is a professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of New Orleans, while also working undercover with the New Orleans Police Department to assist in undercover sting operations. When Jasper, a fellow cop who portrays fake hitmen to solicit murder-for-hire confessions and payments from “customers,” is suspended, Gary is unwillingly ushered into the role. Gary quickly finds himself to be a natural in garnering solicitations, going so far as to research suspects in advance and tailor a unique persona for each one.  Things take a big turn for Gary when he meets Madison, a beautiful woman who tries to contract "Ron" (Gary) to kill her abusive husband. SANDRA ADAIR, ACE Sandra Adair is known for her work on BOYHOOD (2014), BERNIE (2012), SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003), and the cult classic DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993). Adair is also known for her work on the critically acclaimed 'Before' trilogy, BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), BEFORE SUNSET (2004) and BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013).  Adair made her directorial debut with the feature documentary, THE SECRET LIFE OF LANCE LETSCHER (2017). CARISSA BRONSON In addition to HIT MAN, Carissa Bronson is known for films such as LAST FLAG FLYING (2017) and WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE (2019). Editing HIT MAN In our discussion with the HIT MAN editing team of Sandra Adair and Carissa Bronson, we talk about: Lecturing Glen Powell Charting a course for success in the cutting room New Orleans needle drops Hit men vs assassins Editing away from L.A. The Credits Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs See what's new with Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube