The Zack Arnold Podcast "The Force Awakens" Associate Editor Julian Smirke
Editor Julian Smirke is convinced that he ended up being an assistant and then associate editor on Star Wars: The Force Awakens because of sheer luck and nothing more. But I don't believe in luck. I believe that luck should be redefined as "when hard work meets opportunity."
In this episode Julian and I talk all about his path from starving and unemployed artist to working on the largest film franchise in cinema history. I break down every step of his journey and show you how anyone can take a similar path if they are willing to put in the work.
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Topics of Conversation:
- How Julian got his start with Mary Jo, Mary Ann and J.J. Abrams
- Why he moved from a PA on set to post-production
- It’s not about luck, it’s about hard work
- The steps Julian took to getting his “big break” on Mission Impossible 3
- How the time Julian spent unemployed affected his work ethic
- Why Julian didn’t give up after being unemployed for 15 months
- Every project is a learning experience--even if it sucks!
- Success happens when hard work meets opportunity
- What the day-to-day looked like on Star Wars
- What the “bad days” were like
- What Julian’s responsibilities were as an assistant editor/associate editor
- The Star Wars post-production schedule (they had one full year just for post!)
- Julian’s process of going from first assistant editor to associate editor on this feature
- Building trust between editors and assistant editors
- What an assistant editor can gain from cutting scenes and being a part of the creative process
- What it was like to work with J.J. Abrams
- Julian will be an additional editor on his next project Passengers
Useful Links:
FiP Podcast Episode 56: Advancing Your Career In Post Pt. 1
FiP Podcast Episode 57: Advancing Your Career In Post Pt. 2
FiP Podcast Episode 59: Making the Jump From Assistant Editor to Editor
Find Julian on social media:
Twitter: @juliansmirke
Guest Bio:
Julian Smirke just completed work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens as an Associate Editor. Originally from Perth, Australia he grew up a world away from the film industry. In 2001 he moved to Los Angeles to pursue editing work in feature films. Some of his assisting credits include: Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and Star Trek Into Darkness. Julian was the Additional Editor on Endless Love and he is currently working as an Additional Editor on a new film called Passengers.
Show Credits:
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.
The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.