This collection of podcast episodes & blog posts can help you make a major career transition
When Optimizer students Nick Towle and Fabian Corrado originally came to me, neither one of them knew each other. But they both knew they were tired of the jobs they had, they felt stuck after trying for years to make a seemingly impossible career change, and they were ready to do anything to get on the right path.
Learn how Chris Patterson, an incredibly successful 1st AE on top-tier features, overcame his networking struggles to land a gig on a feature as the lead editor.
Learn how Mexican-American editor Marcella Garcia overcame her limiting beliefs (and lack of experience in long form) to break into the world of scripted television.
Learn how writer/director Sam Lavin made the transition from 2nd to 1st AD, and how she’s developed laser-sharp focus to make sure her next step is landing in the director’s chair.
ACE Editor Steven Lang has helped countless numbers of his assistants get into the editing chair and move on to successful careers. In this part two is Steve’s philosophy on mentoring his assistants, how he approaches his editor’s cuts, and his best advice for making the transition from assistant to editor. We also dive into Steve’s work habits, his lifestyle choices, and how he has learned to balance his intense focus abilities to avoid wreaking havoc on his health and relationships.
Director, editor, and mentor Susan Vaill, ACE discuss with Zack Arnold, ACE the many pitfalls, politics, and unanswered questions that must be answered once a new editor has made the transition from being an assistant.
Becoming an AE (assistant editor) isn’t the only path to editing scripted television. Learn more in my conversation with experienced reality editors Phil Habeger and Toni Ann Carabello as they explore their options.
Choosing between the assist editing route vs the editing route is not an easy choice. Learn why becoming an indie editor is the best route for Wellington Harrison in part 2 of this podcast interview.
Choosing between the assist editing route vs the editing route is not an easy choice. Learn why becoming an assistant was the best route for Chris Cavanagh in part 1 of this podcast interview.
Learn how documentary and special features editor Len Ciccotello transitioned to working in scripted television using just a few simple steps.
In part 2 of our conversation today we dive as deep as I’ve ever gone into all of the steps necessary to climb from the bottom of the ladder to the top in Hollywood. We go over all the details of Kelley’s “overnight success story” where it took her just short of 20 years of being an assistant editor before exploding onto the scene with Breaking Bad.
Learn how superstar television editor Kelley Dixon rose from assistant to the top of her game…and all the dirty details in between.
Learn how an accomplished reality TV editor successfully transitioned to working in scripted television.
