The Rough Cut
Editor - Evan Schiff ACE Frankenstein editor Evan Schiff ACE first began his journey as an assistant editor on Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006). Over the next, nearly two decades, Evan would establish himself as an action movie editor to be reckoned with. He would flex his cutting chops on films like John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) and Bob Odenkirk's action debut, Nobody (2021). Evan would also drop by the MCU to cut The Marvels (2023). But to hear Evan tell it, it was hardly his skills as an action editor that would prompt Del Toro to...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editor - Nathan Schauf KPop Demon Hunters editor Nathan Schauf was already a trusted teammember at Sony Pictures Animation (SPA) when has was asked to "lend a hand for a bit" on this new action-comedy musical. Not long after, lending a hand turned into leading the way, with Nathan leaning on his years of experience cutting animation to help craft the film into a worldwide hit that would become Netflix's most streamed content of all time. KPop Demon Hunters follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, a world-famous K-pop girl group known as Huntrix. Unbeknownst to their fans, Huntrix secretly uses...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editor - Andy Jurgensen One Battle After Another editor Andy Jurgensen came into his new film already "battle" tested with director Paul Thomas Anderson's unique film-based workflow. Shoot film. Print film dailies. Screen film dailies. Create digital workprint. Cut in Avid. Conform negative. But Paul loves a challenge, so he decided to not only make "One Battle" the first IMAX film presented entirely in the 1.43:1 ratio, but he also resurrected the VistaVision format for the first time in sixty years. Luckily, Andy loves a challenge too. One...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editors - Vikash Patel, Cedric Nairn-Smith and Kyle Reiter ACE Black Rabbit editors Viks, Ced and Kyle worked independently during post but still managed to collectively craft a complex narrative that stayed consistent in tone and style throughout the run of the series. And while new guy Reiter described feeling like a "bench player" on the team, Viks and Ced benefited from a long working relationship that began with Viks mentoring Ced as his former assistant. Regardless of any of their past experiences, star and producer Jason Bateman tasked the post team with creating a vibe that...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editors - Julie Cohen ACE and David Rogers ACE The Paper editors Julie Cohen and David Rogers first began collaborating on another Greg Daniels series, Space Force. Although that series was not in the same "mock doc" format as The Paper, David's first show with Daniels was. And that series was The Office, where he served as both editor and director. Both Julie and David felt at home with The Paper's faux documentary format however, with David having worked on The Office and Julie receiving multiple Emmy nominations for her work on the unscripted series,...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editor - Joe Murphy Weapons editor Joe Murphy probably had no idea when he interviewed with Zach Cregger over a Zoom call that, in a relatively short amount of time, they would collaborate on not one, but two hit horror films. Regardless, Joe says that call wasn't just about getting to know each other, but also about ensuring a supportive and frank collaboration; key ingredients for him in being able to articulate the director’s vision effectively. Weapons unfolds in chapters around six main characters, which presented a unique challenge in introducing new characters multiple...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Director, Richard Shepard and Editor, Adam Lichtenstein FILM GEEK isn't just another notch on the IMDB belts of director, Richard Shepard and his friend and editor, Adam Lichtenstein. This is the story of Richard's cinematic "life" and the mysterious father who was his guide into that world. Deftly incoroporating clips from over 200 movies of the 70's and early 80's, FILM GEEK chronicles Richard's introduction and absorption into films both classic and forgotten, between the ages of 6 and 18. From there, Richard would make the transition from amateur 8MM auteur, to...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editors - Chris Patterson and Dirk Westervelt ACE EENIE MEANIE editors Chris Patterson and Dirk Westervelt reunite after a six-year break from their first co-editing effort, ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP. From its indie vibe to its seventies-inspired aesthetic, EENIE MEANIE doesn’t shy away from its influences. Chris shares how both he and writer/director Shawn Simmons gravitated towards filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh, drawing inspiration from classics like OUT OF SIGHT and OCEAN'S ELEVEN. EENIE MEANIE tells the story of Edie, a reformed teenage getaway driver who gets dragged back into...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editor - Brian Scott Olds The Naked Gun editor Brian Scott Olds knows that comedy thrives on the elements of surprise and timing. He applied this philosophy to every aspect of the film—from physical gags to witty word play and silly sound design. But making a film that respects the legacy of its predecessor while updating its essence for today is no laughing matter. Brian and director Akiva Schaffer had a clear mission: maintain the comedic tone and tenor from the original while spoofing modern-day blockbusters like Mission Impossible. And stop calling me Shirley. Avika...
info_outlineThe Rough Cut
Editors - Nona Khodai ACE and Tim Roche The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees editors Nona Khodai and Tim Roche reunite for the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series. The film also marks the first time the two have worked together since Marvel's live action series debut, WandaVision. Although each had worked with him separately before, WandaVision was the first time both Nona and Tim worked with director Matt Shakman on a Marvel project. The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in 1964, as the world celebrates...
info_outlineEditors - Catherine Haight ACE, Laura Zempel ACE and Isaac Hagy ACE
SIRENS editors Cate, Laura and Isaac have crafted a television experience that intrigues and entertains the audience, while also challenging them on conventional gender biases. Their work on SIRENS was not just professionally unifying but creatively fulfilling as well. The team established a ritual of analyzing scenes together each week, discussing tone, performance, and overarching storyline elements. This collaborative approach allowed them to align their unique editing styles into a cohesive representation of the series' narrative. One of the remarkable aspects of SIRENS is its tonal balance—oscillating between humor, mystery, and drama. The show’s collaborative ethos even extended beyond the main editing trio. They leaned on the talents of assistant editors like Jen Bryson, who ultimately co-edited Episode 5 with Laura.
Based on her play, Elemeno Pea, Molly Smith Metzler's Sirens tells the story of two estranged sisters from Buffalo, Devon and Simon. While Devon is back in Buffalo, caring for their father who suffers from early on-set dementia, Simone is living in the idyllic seaside town Port Haven, working as a personal assistant for a wealthy socialite named Michaela. When Devon travels to Port Haven to bring Simone back to Buffalo to help care for their father, she finds a resistant sister who seems to be under some kind of mind control from her employer. When Devon refuses to leave without Simone, the mystery of Michaela unravels in a blend of drama and dark comedy.
CATHERINE HAIGHT, ACE
Catherine Haight, ACE is a film editor who has helped bring many award-winning television shows and films to the screen. Cate has had a long collaboration with Joey Soloway including the film Afternoon Delight, starring Kathryn Hahn, the award winning series Transparent, and I Love Dick. She also cut both The Polka King, starring Jack Black, and The Good House, led by Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline, with the directing team of Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky. Cate also has edited the films Troop Zero, starring Viola Davis and Allison Janney, and Puzzle, with Kelly Macdonald and Irrfan Khan. She also cut the television series High Desert, Mozart in the Jungle, Girls, and New Girl. Her work on the pilot episode of Transparent earned her a nomination for both an Emmy and ACE Eddie Award, and she also received an ACE Eddie nomination for the pilot of Girls. Cate is a member of The American Cinema Editors and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Originally from New Hampshire, she now resides in Los Angeles with her husband.
LAURA ZEMPEL, ACE
Laura Zempel, ACE is a two-time Emmy Award winning editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from Sacramento, she received a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University. She began her career in as an assistant editor, and has gone on to edit features and television such as HBO’s Euphoria, Apple TV’s Lessons In Chemistry, Netflix’s Beef.
ISAAC HAGY, ACE
Isaac Hagy, ACE graduated from USC film school in 2006 and continues to live and work in Los Angeles. His editing credits include feature films Waves and The Friend, as well as television programs Atlanta, Mr & Mrs Smith, Station Eleven, American Vandal, and Chef's Table. He has been honored with two Emmy and four ACE nominations. But to be fair, his Assistant Editor - a pit mix named Blue - does most of the hard work.
The Credits
Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs
Listen to Laura talk about cutting BEEF
Hear Cate discuss cutting TROOP ZERO
Check out what's new with Avid Media Composer
Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode
Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube