Punya Krishnan, Film Editor
Editor
“Never let anyone else define your career path. Everything you need is already inside you—follow your passion, work with purpose, and remember that the story is always in the footage. It’s yours to discover and bring to life.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
As an editor, my job goes beyond just cutting footage; it's about crafting a story. In many ways, a documentary editor is a writer. We carve out the narrative and beats from the raw footage, immersing ourselves deeply in the subject matter to shape the story. This process requires not only technical skills but also a keen understanding of storytelling, pacing, and emotional impact. It’s about finding the essence of the story and presenting it in a way that resonates with the audience.
I work across a range of projects, including documentaries, true crime stories, and narrative films. Notable clients I’ve collaborated with include Netflix, where I worked on The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth, and Amazon Prime for First Act and In Transit (an LGBTQIA documentary). I am currently editing a sports documentary, working with an international team. These projects span various themes and genres, but all require in-depth research, a strong narrative focus, and a balance between authenticity and artistic vision.
Through these projects, I get to engage with diverse and complex subjects, from social issues to crime stories, always ensuring that the final edit is both true to the subject matter and compelling for the audience. Each project allows me to refine my craft, balancing the art of storytelling with the technical precision that editing demands.
What does an average day look like in your post-production working world?
Working on remote projects with teams across the globe has significantly shaped my approach to post-production. Time management has become a crucial skill, as collaborating with international teams requires aligning different time zones and ensuring smooth communication and workflow. This experience has improved my efficiency, as I’ve learned to adapt quickly, set clear timelines, and manage multiple moving parts simultaneously. Remote work has also helped me refine my editing process, as it pushes me to stay organized and proactive in order to meet deadlines while maintaining the quality of the creative work.
An average day in my post-production world is a dynamic mix of creative editing, team management, technical execution, and thorough research. Here’s how my day typically unfolds:
1. Starting the Day – Reviewing Notes and Setting Priorities:
I begin by reviewing notes from previous editing sessions or feedback from the director and production team. This helps me set clear goals for the day, whether that’s refining an edit, developing a new sequence, or revisiting previous cuts to align them with the evolving narrative.
2. Research and External Inspiration:
Research plays a significant role in my process. I often spend time diving into creative videos, documentaries, and film styles online for inspiration. These random discoveries spark fresh ideas for transitions, pacing, or visual styles that I can incorporate into the project. This keeps my approach to editing innovative and fresh.
3. Delegating Work Amongst Assistants:
Managing my assistant editors is an essential part of my workflow. I delegate tasks such as organizing footage, syncing audio, and pulling selects. I guide them to ensure they understand the project’s goals and provide regular feedback to ensure consistency and quality across the work.
4. Reviewing Footage and Pulling Selects:
Once the assistant editors have organized the footage, I dive into reviewing it. I select the best shots and moments that will form the foundation of the story. Then, I pull selects — carefully chosen clips that will be assembled into sequences later. These selects become the building blocks for the edit, organized to follow the narrative flow.
5. Creating a Detailed Selects Timeline:
A crucial step in my workflow is creating a detailed selects timeline, which acts as an early version of the final cut. It’s a high-level overview of the project’s narrative, with selects arranged in their approximate order. This timeline helps me visualize the unfolding story, allowing me to make early decisions about pacing, emotional beats, and structure before diving into the full edit.
6. Crafting the Narrative:
With the selects timeline in place, I begin assembling the narrative. I arrange the clips, adjust pacing, and build emotional arcs. Documentary editing is much like writing — I carve the story from the raw footage, immersing myself deeply in the subject’s world. I constantly evaluate my choices to ensure I'm telling a compelling and authentic story.
7. Layering Sound Design and Music:
Sound is integral to the storytelling process. After laying out the footage, I sync dialogue, incorporate sound effects, and add temporary music. For documentaries, I use tools like iZotope RX to clean up audio and ensure clarity. The right soundscape elevates the emotional impact of each scene, so I carefully craft the auditory experience to complement the visuals.
How did your career in post production begin?
My career in post-production began unexpectedly, starting as a Director's Assistant at Studio Eeksaurus, where I edited behind-the-scenes footage of ad films in my spare time. It was in this environment that I discovered my love for editing, with encouragement from my director. Wanting to develop my skills, I worked during the day at an ad agency to support myself, while at night, I assisted a senior editor to learn Avid and break into long-form editing. This led to my first major project, Jayeshbhai Jordar for Yash Raj Films, where I started as an assistant editor. Although I was let go from the project, it didn’t deter me. During the pandemic, I turned to editing digital short documentaries, which gained significant attention on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. These projects helped me rediscover my passion for storytelling and set the foundation for the long-form work I’ve pursued since, including significant projects for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and collaborations with international teams.
What has been your career highlight?
A major career highlight for me was working on The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth for Netflix. Initially hired as an associate editor, I was given the opportunity to step up and take on the role of editor by the end of the project. This was a significant turning point in my career, not just because of the recognition, but also because of the powerful, real-life story we were telling. It was an intense, emotionally charged documentary, and working on it deepened my understanding of narrative construction and pacing.
Who are your role models in post?
Thelma Schoonmaker, Walter Murch , Kirk Baxter and also Steve Hulfish, he is a significant influence for me, not only because of his impressive body of work but also due to his insightful podcasts, interviews, and books. Hulfish's approach to editing goes beyond the technical aspects; he delves into the art of storytelling, providing invaluable insights into how editors can shape a narrative to enhance emotional engagement.
His discussions about editing workflows, the nuances of working with directors, and his views on the evolving nature of post-production have helped me refine my own perspective on the craft.
What advice do you have for others wanting to start a career in post?
Never let anyone else define your career path. Everything you need is already inside you—follow your passion, work with purpose, and remember that the story is always in the footage. It’s yours to discover and bring to life.
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