The Rough Cut

Latest Episodes:

Alien: Romulus Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

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

Furiosa Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

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

Deadpool & Wolverine Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

Editors Dean Zimmerman ACE and Shane Reid

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE editors, Dean Zimmerman ACE and Shane Reid are the "buddies" in the cutting room of what is shaping up to be the biggest, R-rated buddy movie of all time. Zimmerman joined this film with two other Shawn Levy / Ryan Reynolds films to his credit, but it would be Mrs. Pool (Blake Lively) who would be Shane Reid's connection into the "Merc With a Mouth" franchise.

Deadpool's peaceful existence comes crashing down in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse. He soon unites with his would-be pal, Wolverine, to complete the mission and save his world from an existential threat.

DEAN ZIMMERMAN, ACE

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE finds Dean collaborating once again with director and longtime friend, Shawn Levy. The two have been working together for over twenty years on projects like the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM franchise and a little series called STRANGER THINGS. More recently, the two have joined forces with Ryan Reynolds for FREE GUY (2021) and THE ADAM PROJECT (2022). Zimmerman and Levy are currently working on the much-anticipated final season of STRANGER THINGS. Dean's father, Don Zimmerman, is a highly accomplished editor in his own right. (yes, I totally hacked this from the write-up on Dean I did for THE ADAM PROJECT)

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, as well as Sony Pictures' GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZERN EMPIRE.

Editing Deadpool & Wolverine

In our discussion with DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE editors, Dean Zimmerman ACE and Shane Reid, we talk about:

Text messages…big text messages
Stranger Things taking place in the MCU
Masking up for ADR
Jennifer Stellema, Superhero assistant
Revisiting the rewinds

The Credits

Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs

Watch Dean and his team break down scenes from Stranger Things

Hear Shane talk about his work on GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE

See what's new with Avid Media Composer

Listen to Dean discuss doing FREE GUY and THE ADAM PROJECT with Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds

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

Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube

Twisters Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

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

Clipped Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

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

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

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

The Sympathizer Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

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

Hit Man Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

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

Beckham Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Michael Harte

BECKHAM editor Michael Harte has quickly established himself as an editorial force to be reckoned with in the field of documentary filmmaking. He received ACE Eddie and Emmy-nominations for cutting the astounding, THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS (2018), and then followed that up with another Eddie nomination and an Emmy win for his work on STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE (2023).

Despite the tremendous lore around him as an athlete and pop culture figure, few have gotten the chance to know the man behind the name — until now. BECKHAM, a four-part documentary series, gives fans never-before-seen insights into who Beckham actually is. The result is an unprecedented look at an icon who, despite spending nearly 30 years in the public eye, still has some surprises to share with the world.

MICHAEL HARTE In addition to his work on BECKHAM, Michael Harte is known for THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS (2018), DON'T F**CK WITH CATS: HUNTING AN INTERNET KILLER (2019) and STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE (2023). Editing BECKHAM

In our discussion with BECKHAM editor Michael Harte, we talk about:

Turning a football doc into a love triangle
Killing one bird with two stones in the cutting room
The gamut of how documentary directors take part in their projects
Being creatively contrarian with archival content
Having a watch battle with Beckham

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

Baby Reindeer May 27, 2024

Show notes

Editor - Peter H. Oliver

BABY REINDEER editor Peter Oliver had just one word to describe Richard Gadd's script when he first read it. That word was "wow"! Viewers of the hit Netflix series can certainly relate to that reaction as the show has resonated with audiences for its ability to delicately blend humor and pathos.

Created by and starring Richard Gadd, BABY REINDEER is adapted from Gadd's autobiographical one-man show. It tells the story of aspiring comedian Donny Dunn, who works as a bartender in a London pub. One fateful day, Donny offers a cup of tea to a customer, Martha, to cheer her up. Martha develops a strong attachment to Donny and starts coming to the bar every day. Her fascination and attraction to Donny rapidly descends into Martha harassing Donny online and in person.

PETER H. OLIVER

Prior to his work on BABY REINDEER, Peter Oliver's editing talents were on display in series such as THE BILL (2005-09), BAD EDUCATION (2013), RED DWARF (2016-17), and GOLDIE'S OLDIES (2021). Peter's work can next be seen in the upcoming Netflix series, ERIC (2024) starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Editing BABY REINDEER

In our discussion with BABY REINDEER editor Peter Oliver, we talk about: