Where are you currently employed?
I work as a freelance assistant editor.
Current Project?
In 2012, I bounced around a bit. I was on Season One of Revenge through April. Then, over the summer, I was an assistant editor on a low budget feature. Following that, I filled in on Weeds at the end of the summer, and in the fall, Once Upon a Time. Finally, I recently started on a pilot for ABC Family as an assistant editor.
Describe Your Job.
The most important qualities an assistant should have are organization and attention to detail. Here’s a list of tasks I’m generally responsible for:
· Dailies
· Digitizing
· Organization
· Sound Effects and Music passes
· Temp Visual Effects
· Prep for Online and the Mix
And in general, I’m there to support the editor and the rest of the team.
How did you first become interested in this line of work?
My interest in this field started back when I was 14. A friend of mine encouraged me to go to a performing arts camp on Long Island and I saw they were offering a video production class. I took that class and loved it! From then on, I shaped my high school and college life around pursuing this industry. Recently, I came across my essay to get into college/film school and saw I had an interest in editing way back then.
Who gave you your first break?
My first real break came after I moved to Los Angeles. I responded to an ad on entertainmentcareers.com for a digitizer on Season One of The Apprentice and ended up working on the show for three seasons!
What was your first union job?
My first union job was on Desire and Watch Over Me for My Network. They were trying English telenovelas at the time and a good friend was head of the online department who got me a gig as an online assistant.
Which of your credits or projects have made you the most proud and why?
I have a couple. I was most proud to have been on the team for Season One of Revenge. It was a wonderful and challenging opportunity.
What was your biggest challenge in your job (or on a particular project) and how did you overcome/solve it?
My biggest challenge on a lot of shows is balancing work and home life, but this is something we all struggle with. For me, this is always a work in progress because people change over time.
What was the most fun you’ve had at work?
I try to have fun on all my shows!
Jobwise, what do you hope to be doing five years from now?
Five years from now, I aspire to be working as an editor in scripted television.
What are your outside activities, hobbies, passions?
Outside of working, I am the founder of Industry Happenings, an industry events website. IH came out of my desire to network and connect with more industry people and I felt there needed to be one central place to find out about all these events. You can check out the website at www.industryhappenings.com . We are also on Facebook and twitter.
And for fun, I like to hang out with my dog, Strawberry, and my husband, Mandell, who is a fellow member of the Guild. He works as a sound supervisor on feature films.
Favorite movie(s)? Why?
His Girl Friday — I love the witty banter back and forth. Dazed and Confused — this is a great slice of life film about high students in Texas in the 1970s with the backdrop of the “establishment” against hippies and pot. The Messenger because it’s just a great story about a side of war that we don’t always see, the families whose lives are affected when they lose a loved one on the front lines.
Favorite TV program(s)? Why?
All the Law and Order shows — I just love that type of procedural genre. Glee is another favorite of mine. The singing and dancing always puts me in a great mood. I love sitcoms, too. Two Broke Girls, The New Girl and Modern Family — all three of those sitcoms make me laugh out loud…so loud, in fact, that sometimes I need to pause the TV because I missed what happened next.
Do you have an industry mentor?
I have many industry mentors. Back in my film school days at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, my editing professor, Gary Cooper, was a great mentor to me. He saw great potential in me as an editor and has always been very encouraging.
A couple of years back, I worked with a mentorship program run by Jessica Sitomer called The Greenlight Coach, and I consider her to be a mentor. She is very encouraging about getting yourself out there and networking.
My friend and fellow assistant editor John Mullin has been a great mentor to me while I was making the transition from reality to scripted TV. He always has great advice and is always thinking of me when leads come his way that he is not available for.
And, lastly, during my time with The Greenlight Coach, part of our coaching was to pursue mentors. I met a couple of women editors who had some great advice for me. Karen Stern, A.C.E., editor on Law & Order SVU, and Heather Persons, a freelance film editor. Because of their advice, my career has advanced and we are still in touch.
What advice would you offer to someone interested in pursuing your line of work?
I was recently asked this question by a new member at the MPEG networking mixer in November. I said to keep networking, and stay in touch with everyone you work with and network with. Always follow up. This is the best way I have found to keep getting work consistently. I would also add to that be great at what you do and be nice.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your fellow Guild members, some words of encouragement?
Keep up the great work! I am looking forward to seeing all the new films, television shows and web series coming in 2013.
- Compiled by Edward Landler
Editor’s Note: To recommend a member (including yourself) to be featured on the home page of the Editor’s Guild website, contact edlandler@roadrunner.com.