2nd Assistant Movie Editor Robert Sealey’s varied submit credit embrace Star Wars: Episode VII, Mission Not possible 5, Coronary heart of the Sea, Fringe of Tomorrow, Jupiter Ascending and World Struggle Z. Oh, and he’s solely 23 years outdated. So he’s clearly doing one thing proper!
I met Rob on the latest Edit Fest London 2014, and he kindly agreed to reply a number of interview questions over electronic mail, which he graciously discovered time for in his hectic schedule engaged on Star Wars: Episode VII right here in London, though he’s just lately moved over to engaged on Mission Not possible 5 too!
If you happen to’re seeking to discover your approach into the movie business I hope you’ll discover Rob’s insights each encouraging and provoking. My favorite quote from Rob?
“Don’t be intimidated by the movie business…” Nice recommendation.
Interview With Rob Sealey – 2nd Assistant Movie Editor
What’s your movie background?
I beforehand had no background within the movie business. None of my household has ever been part of the movie business so I got here into it recent with no earlier hyperlinks apart from my love and fervour for movie.
What was your technique to get into the movie business?
When getting began I started searching for jobs as a runner in a submit manufacturing home as I knew that enhancing and submit manufacturing was what I used to be most fascinated by. As soon as I used to be right into a postproduction home I met assistants from a TV background who had labored in options. From their expertise they urged that I’m going on IMDB professional and electronic mail as many Editors, First Assistants, Second Assistants and Submit Manufacturing Supervisors as doable.
I’ve heard lots of people say they’re fearful about going freelance. My recommendation to that’s don’t fear, get your self on the market. Being freelance might be the most effective transfer I made for my profession. From that time onwards I despatched a personalised electronic mail to every individual containing my CV out to about 20/30 folks a day.
I regarded on IMDB for folks on each movie I had watched. It was solely a matter of time earlier than I acquired a optimistic response. I acquired responses from almost each individual that I emailed (even when they couldn’t assist me out) after which acquired the telephone name about World Struggle Z after a month of emailing!
How did you get your first job as an apprentice editor?
After emailing quite a few assistants, my CV did the rounds and I acquired the telephone name about World Struggle Z. I went in for an interview on the Friday afternoon and began in my new job on the Monday after that weekend! Issues transfer in a short time within the movie business so be ready to up and go.
What does a median day seem like from the second you stroll within the door to you lastly get to go away?
The typical day is at all times very busy from begin to end. 12 hour days are the norm however can often flip into 14 / 16 hour days. The day can encompass so many alternative facets, depending on what stage of the method the movie is in; Dailies, Administrators Reduce, Grade, 3D, Conform.
How does it work between you and the First Assistant Editor and also you, the First and the Editor?
The editor of the movie will often throw jobs / duties in direction of the primary assistant / me after which we’ll break up them nonetheless we see match on the time after which we additionally hand jobs to the apprentice (if there may be one).
The precedence is at all times to verify the editor has every little thing they have to be reducing the movie. Having a great relationship with the editor and each physique else within the reducing room goes such a good distance and is a large a part of being profitable within the business. In spite of everything you must spend lengthy days, weeks and months along with your colleagues!
What particular key expertise or methods do you want to grasp to be a helpful apprentice/assistant?
“This is applicable to many movie jobs, not simply enhancing: half the job is doing the job, and the opposite half is discovering methods to get together with folks and tuning your self in to the delicacy of the state of affairs.” – Walter Murch
One of many most important expertise is being nice with folks, being comfortable and enthusiastic about postproduction and your position inside the division. It actually comes by when interviewing and it’s straightforward to inform if you’re striving to do the most effective you presumably can and produce the very best high quality of labor.
Teamwork and being a part of a staff can be such an vital attribute. Realizing your approach round an Avid just isn’t important for an apprentice however very helpful as a result of you’ll finally be utilizing it on daily basis. In addition to having a great information of most enhancing packages (primarily AVID) I’ve a great information of Photoshop, After Results & Compressor, which have all been helpful for my position aiding.
What shocked you most in regards to the job?
The charges of pay had been stunning and better than anticipated however this may very well be as a result of I’ve been concerned in some excessive funds productions. It was additionally very daunting at first when beginning and I used to be shocked about how good nearly all of individuals are and the way a lot individuals are prepared that will help you out.
What are the most effective and worst elements of the job?
The most effective a part of the job must be seeing the completed movie on the massive display screen within the cinema (Maybe on the Premiere if you’re fortunate) after which seeing your title on the finish and figuring out that you just had been part of making that little gem, that you’ve lived by for 12 months or so.
The worst a part of the job must be the relentless working hours. As a lot as I really like what I do 12-14 hour days, 5/6/7 days per week can turn out to be very tiring, so any likelihood for a vacation in between jobs I take.
The place do you need to get to sooner or later?
My final purpose is to be nominated for a BAFTA or an Oscar. One in all my most important targets, that I see as extra achievable, within the close to future is to have edited a characteristic movie by the age of 30.
What would your recommendation for anybody desirous to get began?
My recommendation to anybody who needs to get began within the movie business is that they need to be ready for the lengthy days and to take the nice and the unhealthy.
Be ready to begin from the underside making tea and low for folks, working for meals and customarily making your superiors comfy and comfortable. This can go thus far and you’ll finally get bumped as much as the following position.
Don’t be intimidated by the movie business, attempt to succeed in your targets, fulfill your potential, have the dedication and you’ll finally full your desires. Something is feasible. Even profitable that BAFTA / Oscar! I’ll end on slightly quote from one of many greats….
“Movie enhancing is now one thing virtually everybody can do at a easy stage and luxuriate in it, however to take it to the next stage requires the identical dedication and persistence that any artwork kind does.” Walter Murch
