Danielle Schneiderman - Editor
Job title - Editor
Experience - 5+ years
“Trust your gut and when you don’t, ask colleagues for their opinions. One of the things I love most about editing is that it can be as singular or collaborative as you want it to be.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
I’m an editor at Modern Post. We work with a variety of clients, brands, agencies and directors. We typically work on fashion and beauty projects but also work on music videos and other types of branded content.
What does an average day look like in your post production working world?
Usually I start my day by saying a prayer that my computer won't crash in between auto saves. Once all prayers have been sent to the cloud and coffee has been consumed, if I'm starting a new project, I like to put music on to screen and pull selects. Getting in the zone is really important for me and helps me maintain focus throughout the day. Usually once I have selects pulled and an idea of how I want the edit to come together, I like to pull sound effects and get a sense of the sound design world I want to build.
How did your career in post production begin?
I was working in the restaurant industry when I first moved to New York and was ready for a change. I had a roommate at the time who was an editor an amazing post house and they were looking for a front desk person. She suggested I come in and interview to see if I was interested in learning more about the business and see how editors work. It was an amazing introduction to the business. I learned so much, got to know some really amazing editors and realized that this was was I wanted to do with my life. After some great experiences at other post houses, I landed at Modern Post and have had so many really amazing opportunities to grow.
What has been your career highlight?
I've had the opportunity to work with many really amazing and talented people over the years. One of the highlights was getting to cut a film with Lena Dunham and Emily Ratajkowski for Vogue. The visuals were all shot by Emily on an iPhone and she wrote a beautiful poem to her unborn son. Working so closely with Lena was an amazing experience. She really trusted me and let me run with the piece. Everyone on the team - production and post - were all women and that was a special - and intentional - element to creating the piece for the magazine. There was lots of collaborative energy in the room (zoom calls).
Who are your role models in post?
Will Town is one of the most talented editors I have ever worked with, full stop. His precision and instinct are spot on and he is the most nurturing mentor. His technical skills are insane, the speed in which he works is mind-blowing and his instincts are just - quite frankly - never wrong. It’s really common for editors to be reluctant to share their ‘secret sauce’ but Will is the type of editor who really wants to see everyone succeed.
Hank Corwin changed the game in so many ways. His style has always been so cutting edge and unique. His ability to make people’s brains feel like scrambled eggs, in the best way possible, is incredible. I have watched some of his work - both film and short form - and at the end said “What just happened?” His way of storytelling is so unique and specific; you can always tell when Hank has worked on something or the person was trying to do something in the vein of Hank.
What advice do you have for others wanting to start a career in post?
Be patient! Have fun! It's ok to cry!
Find a mentor who's vision you align with and ask questions of your peers. Find an environment that encourages your growth and success. Trust your gut and when you don't, ask colleagues for their opinions. One of the things I love most about editing is that it can be as singular or collaborative as you want it to be.