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 individuals who were eager to step up in their roles and commit to the project's duration, his team's unwavering dedication was pivotal in navigating the intense workload they would endure. From the onset, Adam was aware of DISCLAIMER's magnitude—boasting 670 script pages that were ultimately condensed into seven episodes. The complexity wasn't just in the volume but in its narrative structure as well.  Using color-coded scripts and scene cards, the editorial team was effectively able to navigate the shifting perspectives and multiple narrators that took place throughout the series. The Credits Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs See what's new with Avid Media Composer Hear Adam talk about cutting Spike Lee's DA 5 BLOODS Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube   The Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Trainee to Sole Editor 00:46 Diving into the Script: First Impressions and Challenges 02:35 Synopsis: What is Disclaimer About? 05:18 Editing Process: Building the Team and Workflow 08:03 Challenges and Lessons: The Marathon of Editing 15:37 Narrative Techniques: Voiceovers and Perspectives 20:42 Organizing the Complex Narratives 23:21 Stylistic Choices: Adapting to Different Timelines 25:26 Balancing Visual Techniques and Audience Perception 26:24 Easter Eggs and Rewatch Value 27:02 Character Development and Narrative Techniques 30:38 The Impact of Music and Sound Design 38:36 Visual Effects 40:41 Audience Reactions and Screening Insights 47:51 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

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 place 10,000 years prior to the Paul Atreides story line of the movies, it focuses on the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful social, religious, and political force whose members possess superhuman powers and abilities after undergoing years of intense physical and mental conditioning. ANNA HAUGER, ACE Anna Hauger is known for Station Eleven (2021), Westworld (2016) and Watchmen (2019). MARK HARTZELL, ACE Mark Hartzell is known for The Last of Us (2023), Lost in Space (2018-21) and True Blood (2008). AMELIA ALLWARDEN, ACE Amelia Allwarden is known for Westworld (2022), PEN15 (2021) and Little Fires Everywhere (2020). SARAH C. REEVES, ACE Sarah C, Reeves is known for Westworld (2022), Invasion (2021), and Gotham (2018) Editing Dune: Prophecy In our discussion with DUNE: PROPHECY editors Amelia, Anna, Sarah and Mark, we talk about: Giving a "voice" to the sisterhood Keeping in ScriptSync The "agony" of building visuals Settling a score with Hans Zimmer Editorial resolutions The Credits Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs See what's new with Avid Media Composer Watch editor Joe Walker ACE and composer Hans Zimmer discuss their Oscar-winning work on DUNE. See Joe Walker ACE show you the secrets of how he builds scenes from the "sand" up in DUNE: PART TWO. Listen to Amelia Allwarden talk about her work on PEN15 and LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE. Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube

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 agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. Louise Ford, ACE NOSFERATU is the fourth feature film Lou has edited for Robert Eggers since their first collaboration in 2008 on his short film, The Tell-Tale Heart . She edited Eggers’ The Witch , The Lighthouse , and The Northman . Other films she has edited include Don’t Breathe , Wildlife , and three films with the director Cory Finley - Thoroughbreds , Bad Education , and Landscape with Invisible Hand . Editing NOSFERATU In our discussion with NOSFERATU editor Louise Ford, ACE we talk about: Giving a gift to the Goths How most things are bad, especially cover songs Tapping into the footage during production Being a bastard in the cutting room Raiding the David Lynch Library The Credits Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs 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

UNSTOPPABLE director Billy Goldenberg and editor Brett Reed have had a working relationship for over twenty years, going back to their time together on COYOTE UGLY (2000).  Since that film, they've logged a lot of hours as "editor and assistant" or "editor and additional editor", but their new film brings about a whole new dynamic, "director and editor". UNSTOPPABLE is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion. WILLIAM GOLDENBERG, ACE While UNSTOPPABLE is Billy's first shot at directing, he is one of the most well-respected and sought-after film editors working today. He won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and the American Cinema Editors’ (ACE) Eddie Award for his outstanding work on the 2013 Best Picture winner, Argo, directed by Ben Affleck. His recent editing credits include Air, 22 July, Unbroken, and Concussion. Goldenberg received dual Oscar nominations in 2013, also being nominated, along with editor Dylan Tichenor, for his work on Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty.  In 2015, Billy was again nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA Award, and an Eddie Award for the historical thriller The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.  He was previously Oscar-nominated for his editing work on Seabiscuit, and on Michael Mann’s controversial film The Insider (with Paul Rubell and David Rosenbloom). Goldenberg was also part of the editing team on Mann’s Heat, Ali, and Miami Vice BRETT M. REED Prior to cutting UNSTOPPABLE for Billy, Brett also collaborated with Artists Equity on Doug Liman’s film THE INSTIGATORS, starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Hong Chau. Additionally, he edited OLD, directed by M. Night Shyamalan for Universal Pictures, as well as several episodes of Shyamalan’s television show THE SERVANT for Apple TV+.  Previously Reed cut CLOUDS directed by Justin Baldoni for Disney+; Christoph Waltz’ GEORGETOWN; Automatik's DREAMLAND directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and starring Margot Robbie; and Nick Hamm's bio-thriller DRIVEN, starring Erin Moriarty and Lee Pace. Brett's earlier work with Billy Goldenberg included supporting him as an Additional Editor on TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS, LIVE BY NIGHT, CONCUSSION, UNBROKEN and ARGO. Reed was also a First Assistant Editor on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, ZERO DARK THIRTY, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, NATIONAL TREASURE, amongst others. Directing and editing UNSTOPPABLE In our discussion with Billy and Brett, we talk about: Editors as first-time directors Cutting for a director who's an Oscar-winning editor Seeing double on the wrestling mat Obsessing and finessing an L-cut Making the most of a montage The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs Listen to Billy talk about cutting AIR and NEWS OF THE WORLD Check out the latest features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube