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Morgan, Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery: Advize Career Interview
A Loyola Marymount University film school graduate's journey to Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery is a dynamic story of strategic career moves, beginning with internships and assistant roles.
The work involves a blend of creative sound design, scene cutting, and meticulous organization, demanding efficient project management and proactive problem-solving.
A typical day is fast-paced, involving collaboration, revisions, and quick implementation of director and producer feedback. Success requires a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and confidence in decision-making, even under pressure.
The most rewarding aspects include the collaborative spirit, the unexpected creative opportunities, and the continuous learning from experienced editors.
Aspiring professionals should anticipate the freelance nature of the industry and build supplementary skills, while focusing on networking and gaining experience, possibly through reality television.
An entertainment industry careers class and hands-on experience with Avid software are highlighted as valuable preparation. Ultimately, assertive communication is key for navigating the industry, particularly for women.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Morgan Hinshaw
Assistant Editor
Warner Bros. Discovery
Loyola Marymount University
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros Discovery
Morgan's career path began with film school at Loyola Marymount University and internships at a small production company and Gravitas Ventures, allowing Morgan to "get a feel for kind of all sides of production." After post-production assistant and coordinator roles, strategic career moves, including working as a non-union assistant editor to meet union requirements, led to Morgan's current position as an assistant editor on *Riverdale*, continuing their climb toward becoming an editor.
Main Responsibilities of an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery
Morgan's role as an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery involves a blend of creative tasks, such as "adding creative sound design" and potentially cutting scenes depending on their editor's preference, and organizational duties including managing footage, communicating with other departments, and handling turnovers between post-production stages. The level of creative involvement is heavily dependent on the relationship with the supervising editor.
A Day in the Life of an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros Discovery
A typical 8-10 hour workday for an assistant editor at Warner Bros. Discovery involves a dynamic workflow, shifting from creating the editor's cut and incorporating sound design in the first week, to collaborating with the director and producers on revisions in subsequent weeks, "speeding up the process" by dividing note-taking responsibilities. The month concludes with the showrunner's final approval before handing off to other post-production teams, with the entire cycle repeating for each episode.
Most Important Skills For An Assistant Editor At Warner Bros. Discovery
For an assistant editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, "organization is number one," with efficient project structuring crucial for quick retrieval of assets. Further career advancement requires proactive anticipation of needs and a willingness to "go above and beyond," taking on extra tasks to showcase skills and gain recognition.
Favorite Parts of Being an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, most enjoys the unexpected "sound design component," creating sounds for effects like the superheroes' powers in *Riverdale*, and learning from senior editors by observing their decision-making process and justifications, finding this invaluable for career development.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery
Morgan's biggest challenge as an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery involved the fast-paced, real-time nature of incorporating "notes on the fly" during remote editing sessions; this required quickly implementing changes "in order to complete the notes in time," a skill made more difficult by relative lack of experience. The pressure to maintain speed and quality simultaneously presented a significant hurdle early in Morgan's career.
Favorite Parts of Working in Film and Television as an Assistant Editor
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, finds the most rewarding aspect of the film industry "the people that I get to meet and collaborate with," highlighting the diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives that contribute to the collaborative process and the ultimate satisfaction of sharing the final product with audiences.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Film And Television Industry, According To An Assistant Editor At Warner Bros. Discovery
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasizes that a positive attitude and strong work ethic are crucial for success in the entertainment industry, especially at entry-level positions. The ability to build relationships and be someone "people wanna be around" is more important initially than specific skills, as "a lot of people can pick up and do" assistant tasks.
What an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery Wishes They Knew Before Entering the TV Industry
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, advises aspiring television professionals to realistically assess the freelance nature of the industry, noting that "the boom of peak TV is over," resulting in less consistent work. The advice given is to develop supplementary skills or income streams to navigate potential periods of unemployment between short-term contracts, emphasizing the importance of preparation for this reality.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Assistant Editors at Warner Bros. Discovery
Entry-level positions in television and film are difficult to find, with post-production assistant (PA) roles often filled through networking; seeking out post coordinators, producers, or supervisors is key, as "everything is, generally speaking, word of mouth for post PA jobs". Alternatively, working on reality TV, like "Dancing with the Stars," offers a less competitive route to gain experience and "get those days" needed for union membership.
Significant Career Lesson From An Assistant Editor At Warner Bros. Discovery
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasizes the importance of "having confidence in your decisions, even if you're not confident," a crucial skill in the fast-paced editing world where numerous decisions are made daily. This requires justifying choices and confidently articulating reasoning when questioned, demonstrating the ability to build upon one's skills and ultimately succeeding in the field.
College Experiences That Helped an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros Discovery Succeed
An entertainment industry careers class, which included "informational interviews with at least three people," proved invaluable for Morgan's career, leading to their first job. Taking a dedicated editing class and learning AVID software also provided crucial experience, making the transition into scripted television easier, as "everything in TV is generally cut on Avid."
How Identity Has Influenced An Assistant Editor Career At Warner Bros Discovery
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, learned early in the film industry that "it's really important to speak confidently and be assertive," especially as a woman, to counteract the tendency of others to overlook or talk over female voices. This assertive approach, matching the confidence often seen in male colleagues, has been crucial for career navigation.
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