The Pitt
The Rough Cut
Editors - Mark Strand ACE, Joey Reinisch, Lauren Pendergrass and Annie Eifrig In this episode, we explore how THE PITT editing team of Mark, Annie, Joey, and Lauren navigated the unique challenges of cutting this intense medical drama. From their experiences working with producer John Wells to dealing with emotionally charged scenes, they reveal their techniques for maintaining authenticity and managing the show's fast-paced environment. They also share their personal connections to the material and how they balance relentless action with powerful storytelling. Created by R. Scott...
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Severance
The Rough Cut
Editors - Geoff Richman ACE, Joe Landauer, Keith Fraase ACE The Severance editing team of Geoff Richman, Joe Landauer and Keith Fraase discuss their experiences and creative processes for the hit show's second season. They talk about their initial impressions of the project, preparation to join the show, and specific challenges in editing various episodes. Highlights include creating complex montages, handling visual effects, maintaining geographic and narrative coherence, and managing ambitious scenes like Mark's dual-dialogue via a DV camera. They also discuss the excitement of...
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Suits LA
The Rough Cut
Editor - Dan Rovetto, ACE SUITS LA editor Dan Rovetto's career path was far from straightforward. Reflecting on his early days, he shares how intern experiences at MTV laid the foundation for his editing career. Our conversation covers his transition from reality TV editing to scripted television, plus the impact of streaming, social media and Meghan Markle on the resurgence of the original 'Suits' series. We also talk about the influence of music choices and the role of assistants in the editing process. Dan further discusses the unique pressure of editing a pilot episode,...
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Senna
The Rough Cut
Editors - Federico Brioni, Diana Vasconcellos, Vicente Kubrusly and Guilherme Porto A big series, about a bigger than life racing icon, takes a big team of talented editors and assistant editors to tell the story right. And that is just what Federico, Diana, Gui and Vicente have to say about their experience on the series - that they were part of highly tuned, highly collaborative team of professionals, all working diligently to honor the life of a racing legend and national hero of their home country of Brazil. Created by Vicente Amorim and directed by Amorim and Júlia Rezende,...
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Companion
The Rough Cut
Editors - Brett W. Bachman, ACE and Josh Ethier, ACE Long time friends, but first time co-editors, Brett and Josh are no strangers to working in the horror/thriller genre. The same can't be said for COMPANION director Drew Hancock. Not only was this film Hancock's first feature as a director, but it was also his first real foray into genre filmmaking. But that didn't stop either Brett or Josh from seeing how good this film was going to be right from the script. What they couldn't predict, was how great a working experience the whole thing would be. Written and directed by...
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Skeleton Crew
The Rough Cut
Editors - Andrew S. Eisen ACE, Terel Gibson ACE and Katheryn Naranjo Hiring editors for SKELETON CREW was akin to casting actors, considering how essential each editor's background and style would be in shaping the series. Kat, for instance, found her mark through her work on STRANGER THINGS which resonated with the show's tone of adventure. Meanwhile, Terrell's experience with Marvel projects like HAWKEYE proved that he would be up to the demands and rigors of a VFX heavy tv series. Finally, Andrew's extensive Star Wars history positioned him as invaluable in guiding the new team....
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Bad Sisters
The Rough Cut
Editor - Derek Holland In the ever-evolving landscape of television, few series manage to capture the complexities of human emotions while maintaining an appealing balance between humor and gravity. "Bad Sisters," an Irish dramedy, is one such show. Its unique ability to engage audiences with its attention to detail and complex character narratives is a testament to the creative minds behind it. In this episode of The Rough Cut, editor Derek Holland delves into the creative process behind the show. He discusses the unique elements that made the first season a hit, such as the character of JP...
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Disclaimer
The Rough Cut
DISCLAIMER editor, Adam Gough ACE, BFE began his journey with director Alfonso Cuarón over eighteen years ago as an editorial trainee on Cuarón's CHILDREN OF MEN (2006). In 2018, Adam would co-edit Cuarón's ROMA, alongside the writer/director. This long-standing collaboration has evolved over time, reflecting the trust and synergy they've built together, leading to Adam working as the sole editor on Cuaron's first TV series, DISCLAIMER. For a project that would end up spanning two years, assembling a reliable and passionate editorial team was crucial to Gough. Aiming to bring on...
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Dune - Prophecy
The Rough Cut
Editors - Anna Hauger ACE, Mark Hartzell ACE, Amelia Allwarden ACE, Sarah C. Reeves ACE DUNE: PROPHECY editors Anna Hauger ACE, Mark Hartzell ACE, Amelia Allwarden ACE and Sarah C. Reeves ACE joined the new HBO Original Series having plenty of experience with big "IP" shows like WESTWORLD and LOST IN SPACE, but with the recent success of Denis Villeneueve's films, the expectations for their DUNE prequel series would be bigger than anything they've experienced before. DUNE: PROPHECY is a six-part series that just wrapped its first season on MAX and is a prequel to the Dune films. Taking...
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Nosferatu
The Rough Cut
Editor - Louise Ford, ACE NOSFERATU editor Louise Ford, ACE and writer/director Robert Eggers have reunited once again to take on the not-so-simple task of remaking FW Murnau's horror classic. Considering "Lou's" disdain for cover songs, it was important that this film could stand on its own merits and add something new to the world of cinema. And although she has a few supernatural/horror films to her credit, "Lou" insists she doesn't seek them out. She's just looking for great stories to tell. With NOSFERATU, she told one. NOSFERATU - In the 1830s, estate...
info_outlineJake 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
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