Making the cut: Nomad editors on entering the industry

Can you tell us about your career journey so far? What inspired you to become an editor?

Elyse Raphael: I went down the path of doing what you enjoy most at school, I wasn't interested in being academic, but I really enjoyed media, which was primarily film and TV studies, so that's what I did at university. We had a whole range of different modules; web design, film studies, DJing. There was one module where we had to make a commercial, so I'd been messing around on Final Cut Pro. I took on the editor role, and never looked back.  

I remember going into editing, I was obsessed with movement, rhythm and sound. 

Serena Rossi: So, like Elyse, I didn't go through the traditional route. I studied dance at university, but I always had an interest in photography and filmmaking. One of the reasons I chose my university was because they offered a module where you could create dance films. Which was perfect because I’d still be using these skills and that's what I ended up thriving in, I was always the last one there at night, I just became obsessed with it. 

Raphael: Not much has changed then. 

Rossi: Yeah, I found that weird obsession with it, then I got to thinking, do I want to go down the dance route? Or do I want to maybe try this whole filmmaking world? I decided to edit and because I still loved dancing, I wanted to do fun, cool music videos, choreography pieces, anything with movement really. 

Sounds like you have to be a bit obsessed to become an editor? 

Rossi: Yes, I think so. 

Raphael: It's not really one of those jobs you could just do 9 to 5 and then go home.

I’m drawn to films that capture movement and use it as tool for convey a narrative. 

Rossi: It's quite interesting that Elyse loves DJ-ing, and I came from a dance background, so we both have that musical element. I remember going into editing, I was obsessed with movement, rhythm and sound. I do think it influences your editing. When I first started, I was always looking at it from a dance perspective, and it’s still there in the background.

Are there any creatives who’ve had a big impact on your work?

Rossi: I’ve have had the pleasure of working with Director Caroline Hajny on numerous projects. The Puma campaign with Jack Grealish was definitely a highlight and it was so cool seeing it on the big screen in Carnaby street. 

I love working with on films that can touch people emotionally. I cut a music video for Victoria Canal, directed by Imogen Harrison. I have always loved Imogen's work and it always gives me goosebumps. I really admire Imogen's direction and storytelling ability.

Try everything, don’t pin yourself down and focus just on the genre or the style that you want to get into. Because you could be surprised at what you can do or what you enjoy more.

I’m drawn to films that capture movement and use it as tool for convey a narrative. Director Ozzie Pullin captures movement in a wonderfully subtle yet captivating way. 

Raphael: In my early 20's I was a big Swedish House Mafia fan, I used to sit and watch their videos on repeat, that's when I first became really fascinated with editing. Their director, cinematographer and editor was Christian Larson and I remember being blown away with his creativity and the energy he brought to his edits.

I had a great full circle moment recently, working with Jonnie Malachi who I met about 10 years ago when I was a runner and now have the pleasure of cutting a really special project with him. I've cut a couple of music videos with the wonderful Jim Hosking and his wacky sense of humour means he's always a pleasure to collaborate with. Also Jake Mavity who is such a wicked comedy director and all-round wicked guy.

What has your experience of entering the industry and signing with Nomad been like? 

Raphael: Joining Nomad has been great. I've only worked in solely off-line edit houses before, so it's nice to have VFX, Colour and Audio here, I can just go and speak to the guys and have that more collaborative process. It really does feel like working as part of a team and luckily everyone’s so nice and we all really get on.

 Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, approach people, connect with people. Events are a really great way to meet people.

Rossi: That’s one of the things that I really do love about Nomad too, having a team here that can do it all, it really does help the process. When you are in the offline stage, it means that you can have conversations with the other departments and bounce ideas off each other. When you can take a project from editing into grade and online, it's so seamless and it's really rewarding at the end of it.