Amy Rosenberg - Film Editor
Editor at Cut+Run
Experience 10+ years
“I believe it’s important for aspiring editors to recognize that there are alternative paths into a post house or edit bay. Just because someone didn’t start their career as an assistant or runner doesn’t mean they can’t achieve success. Personally, I take pride in my unconventional background and what I accomplished at a young age. My experience in directing and entrepreneurship has proven to be incredibly valuable in my journey.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
I work as a creative film editor at Cut+Run, specializing in TV commercials and branded content with a strong emphasis on visual storytelling. My work spans many genres, including fashion & beauty, tech, sport and automotive; and my client roster includes a wide range of brands from NFL, Tiffany & Co. and Meta to Calvin Klein and Dove.
What does an average day look like in your post production working world?
Every day is a new adventure, depending on the project and where I'm at. Let's start at the beginning…
First- coffee and long beach walk or short swim. Then work.
When a project kicks off, I dive into the footage, setting the mood with some inspiring music. As a timeline-based editor, I start pulling and sorting selects onto various tracks and color-coding right away. I usually do a couple of rounds of selects to really nail down the gems. This also enables me to start playing around with ideas as I go. In fact, I keep a running "AS I GO" sequence where I stash ideas and clip combos as they come to me. Why wait until the rough cutting phase when inspiration strikes? I love to look back at this sequence later, too, and play around with variations of ideas in the final cut.
For projects with storyboards, I do a first rough cut following the script. Then it's playtime—I experiment with different ideas, weaving in sound design and sculpting the music and timing to create visual arcs. I often go off on tangents trying alternate or outside-the-box ideas – sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t; it’s all about the process and the exploration. I might also work on multiple rough cuts simultaneously. This process helps in later sessions, providing alternative solutions or helping to narrow down what works best.
After my exploration process and the first rough cut, I fine-tune with a sound design pass before sharing it with the director for feedback. Collaboration with the director is key, ensuring the vision is fully represented while infusing my own creativity. Typically, the director and I will edit together for a day or so to refine the first cut for presentation to the agency.
Then, it's off to the races! Whether in-person or remote, I love collaborating with the agency, director and client on revisions and versioning. It's my favorite part of the process. There's nothing like the energy of bouncing ideas around and watching the magic unfold. It's the grand finale of creativity, and I'm here for every moment.
How did your career in post production begin?
I entered the editing world through an unconventional route, stumbling upon it and immediately falling in love! Starting with branded content and behind-the-scenes footage for fashion week and music festivals in NYC, I eventually crossed paths with partners at one of these festivals, leading to my involvement in growing a production company. Overseeing the expansion of the post-production arm from a solo effort to a team of 6-7, while also directing, creative directing, and editing -- provided invaluable industry experience. This period allowed me to refine my visual style and gain confidence in music and visual-based editing, particularly due to our clientele in the fashion and beauty sectors. Eventually, I left to focus solely on editing.
My career in post-production isn't just about the logistics of where I started and ended up, though. It's a journey of stylistic evolution shaped by my surroundings. For instance, early in my career, I rarely received storyboards, leaving me to rely on my instincts and creativity. I tackled projects with a 'make it cool' directive, often diving into edits without direction. I was given a bunch of footage and a few reference music tracks and had the freedom to play. This process shaped my style and fostered my affinity for visual editing. As I evolved, I started integrating sound design and narrative threads into my work, always seeking opportunities to expand my skills. This drive for growth eventually led me to join Cut+Run, where I found our goals aligned seamlessly, united by our dedication and love for the craft. Together, we continually pursue new challenges and explore different avenues of creativity.
I believe it's important for aspiring editors to recognize that there are alternative paths into a post house or edit bay. Just because someone didn't start their career as an assistant or runner doesn't mean they can't achieve success. Personally, I take pride in my unconventional background and what I accomplished at a young age. My experience in directing and entrepreneurship has proven to be incredibly valuable in my journey.
What has been your career highlight?
I recently had the honor to cut the new Dove “real beauty” campaign spot -- “The Code.”
For me, this job encompassed everything I love and am passionate about: an opportunity to make real and lasting impact and change societies beauty norms, endless creative exploration and collaboration, working with mixed media and alongside incredible graphic and motion artists, and a chance to work and experiment with AI. And an all-female team was the icing on the cake! Collaboration is key for me, and I absolutely loved collaborating with the director, Juliana Curi. We gelled from the start, and it was one of the most rewarding collaborations I’ve had the pleasure of working on.
The Dove Real Beauty Campaign struck a chord with me, especially as a woman navigating the pressures of society's beauty standards. It was truly inspiring to contribute to spreading a positive message and supporting Dove's push for more realistic and healthy beauty ideals. In today's world of AI, filters, and social media, it's easy to feel the weight of unrealistic expectations. "The Dove Real Beauty Campaign" is changing that narrative. For the past 20 years, Dove has been showing real women of all shapes, sizes, and colors in their ads. They've been pushing back against the idea that there's only one way to be beautiful. And now, they're not just changing how we see beauty in real life; they're also changing AI generated outcomes. It was definitely a career highlight to be a part of it!
What advice do you have for others wanting to start a career in post?
Don’t wait for the right moment. Go for it. Reach out to that person you admire, or the post house of your dreams. Don’t fear rejection. Pull the trigger. Start cutting anything and everything you can get your hands on. Believe in your craft, and in yourself. If you’re passionate, the rest will follow. Trust in the process.
Connect with Amy on Instagram.