Jasmin John - Assistant Editor
Job title - Assistant Editor
Experience - 3+ years
“ If you really believe in what you’re doing, never give up! Step out of your comfort zone and get stuck in. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
I’m an Assistant Editor and primarily work on High End TV Productions. Shows I’ve worked on include Becoming Elizabeth Series 1 for Starz, Liar Series 2 for ITV and Tin Star Series 3 for Sky. I learn something new on every show I work on and no two jobs are ever the same - that’s why I love it! Outside of my day job, I’ve edited short films, trailers and a fashion web series. Many of these have been passion projects to try and build up my editing portfolio.
What does an average day look like in your post-production working world?
The average day depends on what stage of the post production process we’re at. If we’re still shooting, I’m normally the first one in the office syncing and organising the rushes for the editor. Once we reach the fine cut, I’ll often do temp sound and VFX work. There are lots of exports, uploads and emails too. The final stage is the turnover which is essentially preparing various exports for different departments who all play a part in creating the final, polished product you see on TV.
How did your career in post-production begin?
I started editing on Windows Movie Maker (haha!) and used to make films with friends in secondary school. A few years later, I studied Digital Film Production at Ravensbourne. In my final year, I did a post production specialism unit and it sparked sudden interest in pursuing it as a career. After graduating, I applied for the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder scheme as an edit trainee. My first job was on Horrible Histories The Movie: Rotten Romans. My next trainee job was on Wild Bill, an ITV drama and I’ve worked in TV ever since.
What has been your career highlight?
My career highlight has to be establishing 'Black Women In Post Production', a network and enterprise for Black and Black Mixed Heritage women. Our aim is to increase representation by connecting Black female talent to opportunity through our online platform and members directory. I’m passionate about seeing and working with more women of colour in our industry so dedicating myself to a cause like this feels like a step in the right direction to influence and transform the status quo.
Another highlight in terms of assisting thus far has to be when I worked on Series 2 of Liar because I specifically remember watching (and loving) the first series. That was long before I’d ever considered a career in post so it was a little unreal and quite special. It also led to my first job as a 1st Assistant Editor!
Women in post you admire?
Women in post I admire? Jules Jackson, Bea Arnold, Clare Maclean and Rosanagh Griffiths put the 'super' in Post Supervisor. Bea and Jules took a chance on me by offering me my first job as a 1st Assistant Editor when I only had a couple of trainee credits and one credit as a 2nd Assistant under my belt. Their trust in me instilled so much confidence in my ability to do the job well and I really found my feet. Clare was my very first post super in HETV and she was just so incredibly nurturing and supportive to a young, inexperienced me at the time. Rosanagh is a dream to work with - she knows long before I join a gig that my preference is to work from home so she's always one step ahead putting things into place to support that. It's little considerations like that which go such a long way in making you feel like a valued member of the team. I love her management style too. We set priority lists together and then she gives me the autonomy to crack on - no micromanaging in sight. She is also a huge supporter/advocate of BWIPP and proactively shares it with her network (I've never had to ask once!) There's also female editors Hannah Jeal and Fiona Starogardzki. I worked with Hannah on Tin Star but we actually first met on Horrible Histories when I was a trainee and she was an Assistant. Her progression, particularly in a male dominated industry, is no mean feat and truly inspirational. Similarly, I first worked with Fiona on The Pursuit Of Love when we were both Assistants but I recently covered for her on The Midwich Cuckoos as she stepped up to Editor! She always has my back and even pushed for me to cut the recap for her episode. I could go on and on - they’re all incredible!
What advice do you have for other women wanting to start a career in post?
One of my favourite quotes is: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire”. If you really believe in what you’re doing, never give up! Step out of your comfort zone and get stuck in. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Find the people that are doing what you want to do and connect with them. Network, seek opportunities and grab them with both hands. You never know what might come of them...