I will be interviewing Johanna Scott, an editor with over 20 years of editing experience. Her work includes being part of post-production company, ARC, and editing feature length films and documentaries including: H is for Happiness (2019), and Have You Seen the Listers? (2017). My strategy for the interview is to maintain a friendly and professional tone, and to do as much research as I can. I will watch and make note of key scenes or moments in particular work she has done and try to maintain engagement with the questions. Ultimately, I wish to learn as much as I can from her and really listen to what she has to say.
- Why editing? Were you always drawn to the craft or did your career start off in a different place?
I wish to start off in a way that specifically relates to Johanna’s work and how she got into the business, emerging from university and onwards. I also think it is integral to know (from a storytelling perspective) why she loves editing and how that passion came to be.
- Filmmaking is of course, a very collaborative job. With editing, there is a balance between solitary and collaborative work with the director. How do you approach this collaborative side?
Editor/director relationships differ between each project, so I am intrigued to find out how Johanna deals with this integral collaborative aspect.
- What is your process in finding rhythm with your editing? How do you know which cut of a scene is ‘right’?
Similarly, I find it very helpful to discover the workflows and processes of filmmakers since they differ so much between individuals and projects.
- Does your approach to editing change between a narrative film and a documentary?
Here, I will ask her to elaborate on her firsthand experience on H is for Happiness and Have You Seen the Listers? And how they may have been different or similar.
- What advice would you give to young women who wish to break into the industry – both generally, and editing in particular?
This is a fairly generic question though I believe it to be important. It is always beneficial to receive advice from experienced individuals and the target audience for my eventual film will be young creative women.
- Did you face many obstacles throughout your career progression, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Hearing stories of overcoming hardships is always engaging for viewers and particularly intriguing when discussing women ‘making it’ in the film industry.
- What are a couple of your favourite films and why?
This is a bonus question to end things on a fun, light note.
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