Summary
Gigi Hawkins interviews editor Sophie Marshall on her evolving creative process and recent projects, including the upcoming feature film "Wicker," which stars Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård. Marshall reflects on her previous work on "I Saw the TV Glow," noting the positive reception it received and how it has impacted her career. She emphasizes the unique experience of being recognized as an editor, a role often overshadowed in the film industry.
Marshall discusses the challenges and advancements in editing technology, explaining how tools like Premiere's new features have streamlined her workflow. She highlights the collaborative nature of her work on "Wicker," where she and the directing team engaged in real-time editing sessions over Zoom, allowing for immediate feedback and creative input. The film, described as a comedic fable about a fisherwoman who creates a wicker husband, showcases a blend of practical effects and humor, making the editing process both enjoyable and complex.
As she navigates the balance between creative fulfillment and budget considerations, Marshall shares insights on managing her career post-maternity leave. She encourages emerging editors to choose projects that resonate with them and to embrace the evolving landscape of the film industry. Marshall also teases her current project, "Thirsty Girl," based on a short film, indicating her continued commitment to meaningful storytelling in her editing work.
Show Notes
How do you edit a film that blends fantasy, comedy, romance, and the structure of a fable? Editor Sofi Marshall returns to the No Film School Podcast to discuss her work on Wicker, starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård and directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Marshall joins host GG Hawkins to break down the challenges of finding the film's distinctive tone, cutting comedic performances, and building a collaborative post-production workflow across three continents. She also shares how Adobe Premiere Pro, LucidLink, and Frame.io helped streamline the editing process, why practical effects made a difference in the cutting room, and what emerging editors should consider when choosing projects, negotiating budgets, and balancing their careers with life outside the industry.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Sofi Marshall discuss...
How editing I Saw the TV Glow influenced Sofi's career and brought greater visibility to her work
Why storytelling remains the foundation of editing, even as technology makes the process faster
Reuniting with directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson for Wicker after collaborating on Save Yourselves!
How Alexander Skarsgård's practical wicker costume shaped the editing process and preserved his performance
Finding the right balance of fantasy, comedy, romance, and fable-like storytelling in the edit
Managing a remote post-production workflow between New York, Budapest, Los Angeles, and Australia
Why comedy editing requires extensive experimentation, recutting, and test screenings
Collaborating with directors on alternate cuts and discovering creative solutions through multiple perspectives
Using chapter breaks to establish the distinct movements of Wicker
How Adobe Premiere Pro, LucidLink, and Frame.io improve remote collaboration, feedback, and editorial efficiency
Choosing creatively fulfilling projects, advocating for fair compensation, and avoiding burnout in independent filmmaking
Navigating parental leave, career opportunities, and returning to editing after time away
Sofi's next editing project, Thirsty Girl
Memorable Quotes:
"It's always story first, so there's just such a drastic difference between the way a film is written and how it comes across on the page, and then looking at the footage and looking at your first assembly and understanding how it's coming across as an actual film, and I think that's something that will never change."
"No. No, it is... It is the hardest. It is the hardest, hardest thing." — Sofi Marshall, on comedy editing
"Oh, obviously, like, this is, this is how to do that." — Sofi Marshall, on discovering the chapter-break structure for Wicker
"So I think just, just feeling like you are the creative force who's picking your projects, and you're not just taking whatever comes at you." — Sofi Marshall
Guests:
Sofi Marshall
Resources:
Sofi Marshall's website
Follow Sofi Marshall on Instagram
Previous No Film School episode: How 'I Saw the TV Glow' Editor Negotiates Creativity and Higher Pay
Wicker on IMDb
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