The Rough Cut

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A Real Pain Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Robert Nassau

A REAL PAIN editor Robert Nassau might be Brooklyn's secret cinematic weapon when it comes to finding an editor who knows how to cut not-too-dark dramedies. And the seems to be what writer/director/actor Jesse Eisenberg was looking for when it came time to turn over the cutting room keys to his latest project. Premiering to much fanfare at Sundance 2024, A Real Pain is now delighting critics and audiences alike in its theatrical run.

A REAL PAIN follows mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

Robert Nassau

Robert Nassau edited the films The Big Sick (directed by Michael Showalter), A Futile and Stupid Gesture (David Wain), Hello, My Name is Doris (Showalter), Juliet, Naked (Jesse Peretz), The Lovebirds (Showalter), Shortcomings (Randall Park), Somewhere in Queens (Ray Romano) and Wanderlust (Wain). Television series include "Children's Hospital" (Adult Swim), "Dash and Lily"(Netflix),"The Last O.G."(Comedy Central),"The Other Two"(Max), and"Wet Hot American Summer" (Netflix). For two summers in high school, he worked at the National Zoo. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Editing A REAL PAIN

In our discussion with A REAL PAIN editor Robert Nassau, we talk about:

Chopin up the score
Not coming to a resolution with music
Following the St. Crispin's Day rule for monologues
Finding the line between annoying and outgoing
Sometimes all a scene really needs is a cricket

The Credits

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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Otto Burnham

Editor Otto Burnham took on the job for SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY knowing that he wouldn't be lacking for source material on his subject. Rather, the challenge would lie in processing the countless hours of material from Reeve's work and his life to find the real superhero within.

Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who co-wrote the script with Otto, SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY is an intimate view into the life of actor Christopher Reeve. The film chronicles his rise to stardom upon landing the role of Superman in the 1970's, as well as the dramatic turn his life takes when a horse-riding accident leaves him paralyzed in 1995. Through home movies and interviews with those closest to Reeve, the audience is shown a side of this super man they've never seen before.

Otto Burnham

In his own words, award-winning (ACE Eddie, Emmy® and RTS) editor Otto Burnham describes himself as, "comfortable with the story telling and creative demands of broadcast TV, feature documentary, commercials and music videos. I love collaborating on films which focus on dramatic, emotional stories or difficult, challenging topics. With every project, I bring a high level of speed, skill and enthusiasm to my work. I have also shot and directed my own work and cut an award-winning feature documentary in my spare time".

Editing SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY

In our discussion with SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY, Otto Burnham we talk about:

Climbing the greasy rungs of postproduction
The McQueen's Gambit
One Avid, two timelines
Avoiding the radio play approach
The storytelling superpower of ScriptSync

The Credits

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Joker: Folie à Deux Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

Editor, Jeff Groth ACE

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX editor, Jeff Groth ACE had a tough act of his own to follow, coming off of his ACE Eddie and Oscar nominated work on Todd Phillips' JOKER (2019), but follow it he did.

Directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Silver, the sequel follows failed comedian Arthur Fleck as he struggles with his dual identity. While incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital as he awaits his trial, Arthur meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn.

JEFF GROTH, ACE

Having worked previously with Phillips on such films as THE HANGOVER III (2013) and WAR DOGS(2016), with JOKERJeff not only started making a name for himself as an editor to be recognized, but also proved his mettle as a filmmaker who could deftly craft stories about complex characters and their descent into desperation; a skill that came in quite handy on the dark and delicate aspects of the Russo Brothers' CHERRY (2021) and JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX.

Editing JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX

In our discussion with JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX editor, Jeff Groth ACE we talk about:

The benefit of having a fireplace in the cutting room
Color bleed, film grain and the sounds of the 70's
On-set piano accompaniment
The super rats of Gotham
Singing in a scene vs a musical number

The Credits

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Listen to the original Joker podcast with editor, Jeff Groth ACE

Hear about Jeff's work with the Russo Brothers on Cherry

Check out all the latest features in Avid Media Composer

Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode

Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

Challengers Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Marco Costa

CHALLENGERS editor Marco Costa knew one thing going into Luca Guadagnino's recent tennis movie, and that's that Luca didn't know anything about tennis. Luca would explain to Marco that this film isn't about tennis. The incredibly kinetic action in the tennis sequences that Marco cut say otherwise.

CHALLNEGERS stars ZENDAYA as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Tashi is married to Art, a champion on a losing streak. Tashi's strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick— Art's former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?

Marco Costa

Editor Marco Costa first joined the cinematic world of Luca Guadagnino as a second assistant under editor Walter Fasano on Luca's film, SUSPIRIA (2018). Marco would go on to be the lead editor on Luca's film BONES AND ALL (2022), as well as his tv series, WE ARE WHO WE ARE (2020). Following CHALLENGERS, Luca and Marco have since worked together on QUEER (2024) and are currently working on the film AFTER THE HUNT.

Editing CHALLENGERS

In our discussion with CHALLENGERS editor, Marco Costa we talk about:

Putting T&A into the movie
Super modernistic editing
Frank Llloyd Wright filmmaking
Bringing your geometry homework to the cutting room
How to get 'em dancing in the aisles

The Credits

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Saturday Night Oct 13, 2024

Show notes

Editors Nathan Orloff and Shane Reid

SATURDAY NIGHT editors Nathan Orloff and Shane Reid team up for the second time in 2024 with their latest Jason Reitman / Gil Keenan project about NBC's long-running sketch comedy show. Having previously cut GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE together, the pair developed a strong working relationship that certainly came in handy when Shane had to do double duty between this project and DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024).

SATURDAY NIGHT is a frenetic dramatization of what happened behind the scenes during the ninety minutes leading up to the first broadcast of NBC's Saturday Night on October 11th, 1975, when a dynamic young producer named Lorne Michaels lead a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers in changing television forever.

NATHAN ORLOFF

Nathan Orloff is known for his editing on TULLY (2018), PLAN B (2021), GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE (2021), JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (2023) and GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (2024).

SHANE REID

As a partner of the award-winning post house Exile Edit, Shane has been nominated for, and won, multiple awards for his work in the commercial space with top brands including Apple, Adidas, BMW, Hennessy, Audi and the Olympics. He quickly became one of the most trusted short form editors, working with such directors as Damien Chazelle, Terrence Malick, Andrew Dominik, Jason Reitman, Craig Gillespie, Blake Lively, John Hillcoat & Chloe Zhao. He has also cut multiple music videos for Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Florence + The Machine and Kamasi Washington.

In 2018, Reid edited on the film A Hidden Life for director Terrence Malick. He recently cut the short film I'm on Fire for director Michael Spiccia which premiered at the 2022 Toronto and Clermont-Ferrand International Festivals. Shane recently co-edited DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE alongside editor Dean Zimmerman, ACE.

Editing Saturday Night

In our discussion with SATURDAY NIGHT editors, Nathan Orloff and Shane Reid, we talk about:

Kicking things off with a quote
Adding oner + oner + oner + oner
On-set scoring with Jon Batiste
Making something of Nothing From Nothing
SNL trivia

The Credits

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See what's new with Avid Media Composer

Check out Nathan and Shane's interview for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Watch Nathan Orloff's guided tour of his John Wick: Chapter 4 Media Composer timelines

Hear Nathan Orloff discuss cutting Ghostbusters: Afterlife and John Wick: Chapter 4

Listen to Shane Reid talk about editing Deadpool & Wolverine with Dean Zimmerman, ACE

Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room

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Megalopolis Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Cam McLauchlin

MEGALOPOLIS editor Cam McLauchlin had no idea what was waiting for him on the other side when he knocked on Francis Ford Coppola's door. Now that Coppola's decades-in-the-making passion project has become a "surreality", McLauchlin still can't quite explain everything that took place in the making of this film. One thing is clear to Cam however, this was Francis's vision and Francis IS "Cesar Catalina".

MEGALOPOLIS takes place in a somewhat alternate universe, where New York City is New Rome, and stars Adam Driver as Caesar Catalina, a brilliant artist, who somehow has the ability to stop time and has developed a magical substance called MEGALON that can be used to build a utopian city of the future. Caesar is at odds with the greedy mayor of New Rome, Franklyn Cicero. Between them is his daughter Julia Cicero, her loyalty divided between her father and her beloved.

CAM McLAUCHLIN

As a film & television editor based out of Toronto and Los Angeles, Cam's career began in Toronto working as an assistant editor for Guillermo Del Toro on PACIFIC RIM, THE STRAIN, CRIMSON PEAK and eventually as an associate editor on SHAPE OF WATER. Cam also edited the horror cult classic, THE VOID with alumni from Canadian film production and directing company, Astron-6. Other selected work includes; Max Minghella's feature debut musical, TEEN SPIRIT and Dogme 95 member, Lone Schefrig's KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. Cam is currently doing an extended cut on NIGHTMARE ALLEY with director Guillermo Del Toro.

Editing MEGALOPOLIS

In our discussion with MEGALOPOLIS editor, Cam McLauchlin we talk about:

Going on a job interview with Francis Ford Coppola
Digging through twenty years of footage
When the director asks, "You want to hear a crazy idea"?
The future of interactive cinema
Working where you live and living where you work

The Credits

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Industry Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Kyle Traynor

Although INDUSTRY editor Kyle Traynor joined the series already in progress in its sophomore season, by season three he would be given the cutting room keys to half of the season's episodes, including both the series premiere and its finale.

Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, INDUSTRY follows a group of young graduates competing for a limited number of available full-time employment opportunities at Pierpoint, a top investment bank in London. The graduates include Harper Stern, a Black upstate New York native who uproots her life in pursuit of success despite having lied about the university she attended, Robert Spearing, a white working-class Oxford graduate who is eager to please and Yasmin Kara-Hanani, a privileged, well-connected child of Lebanese parents.

Kyle Traynor

Kyle is a Los Angeles based editor with work ranging from motion pictures to television, commercials, web and VR. He got his start working with director David Fincher and moved his way up to editor for the acclaimed series House of Cards. Since then he has worked on additional projects for Netflix along with series for HBO, Amazon, Disney, LucasFilm as well as commercials for brands such as Nike, Porsche, Land Rover and Meta. Kyle has worked on several independent projects that have premiered at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, and Toronto International.

Editing INDUSTRY

In our discussion with INDUSTRY editor Kyle Traynor, we talk about:

Keeping the cutting room close to the trading floor
The edutainment of delivering drama vs explaining economics
Getting control over kinetic camera work
Opening up hidden gems in closed captions
Loving those 80's needle drops

The Credits

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See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer

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Rez Ball Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Jessica Baclesse

REZ BALL editor, Jessica Baclesse says she got the job for the film through a chance encounter with a not-so-stranger across a crowded room. Random or not, Jess already had plenty of editing experience under her belt, including time logged cutting a big sports movie with Michael B. Jordan's directorial debut, CREED III (2023).

REZ BALL was directed by Sydney Freeland and co-written by Freeland and Sterlin Harjo (RESERVATION DOGS). It tells the story of the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from New Mexico who, after losing their star player, must band together to keep their quest for a state championship alive.

Jessica Baclesse

Jessica Baclesse is an award-winning film editor working in features, television and commercials. In addition to editing Creed III with Tyler Nelson, she was an additional editor on Marvel's 2021 television series Loki, directed by Kate Herron, and a pre-production editor on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Baclesse's work on Nike's 2020 You Can't Stop Us received an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial, a Cannes Grand Prix Lion and an AICP Award for Best Editing Montage. Jess has also edited global commercial campaigns, including Instagram's Get Into What You Love, which was nominated for a Webby Award for Best Use of Video or Moving Image in Advertising.

Baclesse received her MFA in Film from Columbia University and has edited many critically renowned narrative shorts that have been featured at festivals such as Slamdance, LA Film Festival, and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Editing Rez Ball

In our discussion with REZ BALL editor Jessica Baclesse, we talk about:

The importance of understanding geographical isolation
Following the "How to..." from Hoosiers
Letting the kids lead you to the story
LeBron James, technical advisor
Going to "sheep camp"

The Credits

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See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer

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TRC Book Club - The Documentarian Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

The Documentarian - Roger Nygard, ACE

Roger Nygard's The Documentarian is the ultimate go-to source for making and selling documentaries, answering every question and containing crucial strategies every filmmaker needs to know to succeed as a documentarian. Included are insights from experts and award-winning documentary filmmakers such as Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth), Liz Garbus (Ghosts of Abu Ghraib), Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp), Freida Lee Mock (Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision), Errol Morris (The Fog of War), Sam Pollard (4 Little Girls), Michael Tollin (The Last Dance), Frederick Wiseman (Titicut Follies), Marina Zenovich (Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind).

The book includes a case study profiling the making and selling of the documentary Trekkies; what it took to push it to a record-setting sale to a major studio, with a huge payout to the filmmakers. This book is inspirational and leaves people—after reading a chapter or finishing the book—feeling more inspired to go forth with their own struggle.

Roger Nygard, ACE

Roger Nygard has balanced humor and seriousness in his documentaries Trekkies, The Nature of Existence, The Truth About Marriage, and The Comedy Store. Nygard has also directed TV series The Office and The Bernie Mac Show, and edited Emmy-nominated episodes of VEEP and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Roger wrote a book about editing comedy called Cut to the Monkey. He didn't learn his lesson, so he did it again; his new book is called The Documentarian. Despite reports to the contrary, Roger has never been indicted OR convicted. It's important to have goals.

Writing The Documentarian

In our discussion with The Documentarian editor and author Roger Nygard, ACE we talk about:

The biggest mistake new doc makers make
It's not a pitch, it's a project
Working backwards to move forward
The intrinsic link between the interview and the edit
Editorial shortcuts through the material minefield

The Credits

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Get your own copy of The Documentarian

Listen to Roger talk about his work on Curb Your Enthusiasm and his other book Cut to the Monkey

See the latest new features in Avid Media Composer

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TRC Book Club - Art of the Cut: Vol II Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

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: