Where are you currently employed?
Cartoon Network Studios.
Current Project?
I am currently editing the Cartoon Network series Ben 10: Omniverse. It’s about a 16-year old kid who has an alien device on this wrist that he can use to transform himself into alien super heroes and save the universe, about a billion times!
Describe Your Job.
I am responsible for creative editorial/visual effects on the series, as well as finishing and mastering. I also oversee post-production for the studio. My responsibility to the department as a whole is more in the technological direction than managing editorial. My current project is a file-based delivery system from the Avid to the network.
How did you first become interested in this line of work?
Through a friend of mine who was working at Sony Animation in the Post department at the time I was in the Animatics department. Editing the final animation was the logical progression for me from the Animatics department. It promised to be more creative, more technologically challenging and more financially rewarding. Animatics was a huge help in learning the core of animation production, and porting those skills into editing the final picture in Avid was a very good fit for me.
Who gave you your first break?
It was actually two people, Tony Lark and Joel Kuwahara. Joel was the head of Post for Sony Animation so it was he with whom I had to interview and convince that I was the right kind of person to bring into the department. There was a lot of work running through the department and he took a chance on me to help get that work done.
Tony is what I like to call my post-production “sea daddy.” He’s the one who taught me how to swim, editorially and post-productionally. I learned a tremendous amount from him and the other assistants and editors at Sony Animation as well as the other studios where I have worked.
What was your first union job?
Assistant editor on the series Godzilla for Sony Animation. I was able to make the jump to full editor on the series My Gym Partner’s a Monkey when I was hired here at CNS. I had extensive online editing experience from my work at Sony and Warner Bros. Animation, and I had spent the previous year in New York City setting up and running post as well as editing a series for PBS/Scholastic. Like the song goes, “If I could make it there (and I did!), I’ll make it anywhere.” I was hired at CNS in the spring of 2005 and I’ve been at home here ever since.
Which of your credits or projects have made you the most proud and why?
I think I may be most proud of the work I do on my current project, Ben 10: Omniverse, where I have a good amount of input on the cutting of the show and I can use my skill with the Avid Effects Palette to create visual enhancements to the show.
What was your biggest challenge in your job (or on a particular project) and how did you overcome/solve it?
I was hired here at CNS to transition post-production from standard definition to high definition. I had to draw on all I had learned from the studios for which I had worked up to then to create a streamlined, yet flexible, file-based workflow that would fit all the projects that are done at CNS.
What was the most fun you’ve had at work?
I think editing my first series here at CNS, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey, with its creators Tim and Julie Cahill. Every session was like a laugh-fest in the edit bay.
Jobwise, what do you hope to be doing five years from now?
Pretty much the same thing, I guess. I love it here at CNS.
What are your outside activities, hobbies, passions?
I enjoy camping, off-roading, cars, music, technology. Also, I am obsessed with Boston Terriers... Unfortunately, my Boston Terrier Maggie died of cancer in July last year. She was my best friend for nine years and the best dog I ever had. Soon, I will look to Boston Buddies, Southern California’s Boston Terrier Rescue, to find a new dog.
Favorite movie(s)? Why?
Quadrophenia has to be my favorite movie. I am a big fan of the Who and I love the Mod styles of the ‘60s; I can identify with many themes in the movie surrounding the main character, Jimmy.
Favorite TV program(s)? Why?
Chasing Classic Cars with Wayne Carini is my favorite TV show. It’s a natural for me because I am a “car guy.” I think Wayne has my dream job, finding and restoring the most unique and expensive cars he can find. What could be better?
Do you have an industry mentor?
Not really, although many have influenced me along the way and I am confident they know who they are. Thank you!
What advice would you offer to someone interested in pursuing your line of work?
Learn all you can about the job you want and the jobs around the job you want. It is always best to have a broader grasp of the working environment and workflow than just your part of it. Oh, and work your butt off when it is needed.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your fellow Guild members, some words of encouragement?
You are already in a great industry so figure out what interests you and formulate a plan to get the job that will keep you interested and happy for years to come.
- 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.