How a Background in Sports TV Led Me to Editing Feature Films – No Film School

A Hollywood Career Unplanned: From Sports TV to Feature Films

As an Emmy-nominated editor, I’ve found that my journey to success was not as traditional as many others in the industry. After film school, I was jobless, and like many others, I had dreams of Hollywood. Instead, I found myself selling merchandise at Seaworld’s Aquatica in Orlando. Then, NFL Films called, offering me a seasonal internship. This internship opened the door to a world I hadn’t considered: sports documentary television.

Breaking into the Industry: My Journey

Working for Free: The Value of Experience

• Working for free to gain experience is a very worthwhile thing to do, at least at the beginning of a career.
• As a PA for commercials, music videos, and indie films, I made sure to tell producers I was looking for editing work.
• Several producers hired me over the years, or asked me to work for free on specific projects.
• I said yes anytime I was able to, as it gave me face time with clients and taught me how to make client changes.

Taking on Any Job: PA Work and On-Set Experience

As a PA, I worked on various projects, including commercials, music videos, and indie films.

I’d ask to also PA the edit session and provide client services.

I’d run errands, get lunch for everyone, clean up the edit bay, and when there was nothing else to do, I’d ask if I could sit in the back of the edit bay and watch quietly.

The directors and editors I worked with loved that I would do that, and several hired me repeatedly.

Networking and Building Relationships

I also made sure to network and build relationships with producers and directors.

These connections often led to new opportunities and gigs.

I was willing to take on any job, no matter how small, to gain experience and build my portfolio.

The Power of Internships: A Foot in the Door

A seasonal internship at NFL Films was a crucial step in my journey.

Football, Film, and a Seasonal Internship

Working at NFL Films was a dream come true for me, as I grew up watching NFL Films on VHS.

Assistant producers would often pass by my desk, and I’d soak up every detail about television post-production.

I stayed late, cutting in producers’ offices, using the NFL’s massive film library to sharpen my AVID skills and build a reel.

Soaking Up Knowledge and Skills

I was determined to learn as much as I could during my internship.

I worked hard, and my efforts paid off.

I was able to build a strong foundation in editing and post-production.

Building a Professional Network

My internship also gave me the opportunity to build relationships with other professionals in the industry.

These connections were invaluable, as I was able to learn from their experiences and gain insight into the industry.

I was able to expand my network, which helped me secure new opportunities.

From Short-Form to Long-Form Storytelling

After NFL Films, I moved to NASCAR Productions in Charlotte and later to SPEED Channel (now Fox Sports 1).

The Leap to Large-Scale Documentaries

Working on RaceHub, a daily news magazine show, cut “coming up next” bumpers and promo clips.

But I wanted more, so I asked for an opportunity to tell creative stories.

I got one, and it was a game-changer for me.

Collaborating with Experienced Filmmakers

I worked with experienced filmmakers, such as Rory Karpf, who had a résumé including 30 for 30 films.

Together, we refined my ability to do a little bit of everything for long-form storytelling.

He also connected me with amazing filmmakers, such as Kenan Holley and Executive Producer Jim Jorden.

Refining Skills for Long-Form Storytelling

Working on large-scale documentary series, such as Coach Snoop and Shaq Life, helped me refine my skills.

I learned to trust what’s unfolding on screen, rather than clinging to the script.

I also developed a unique skillset, which allowed me to focus on editing craft and the whys of a character’s decisions.

From NASCAR to Hollywood: My First Scripted Feature Film

After working on various documentary projects, I was ready for my first scripted feature film.

Grace Point: A Coming-of-Age Thriller

Directed by Rory Karpf, Grace Point is a 15-year detour from my original goal of cutting scripted movies.

The film follows a father and son as they drive to a remote rehab but are accosted along the way.

Shot in just 19 days on a $500,000 budget, Grace Point was a challenging but rewarding experience.

The Challenges and Rewards of Scripted Editing

Shaping performance is one key difference between documentaries and scripted films as an editor.

In documentaries, you’re shaping real people’s stories.

In scripted films, you’re curating performances from multiple takes, choosing the one that maximizes emotional impact.

Another key difference is learning to trust what’s unfolding on screen, rather than clinging to the script.

I found these differences to be refreshing and new as an editor.

The Value of Experience and Hard Work

Working on Grace Point was a significant career change for me.

But it was also a testament to the value of experience and hard work.

I had built a strong foundation in editing and post-production, and I was able to apply that knowledge to a new and challenging project.

The experience and skills I gained on Grace Point have been invaluable in my career as a feature film editor.