Behind the Title: Modern Post Editor Lauren Friedman
Lauren Friedman is an editor working on film, music videos, fashion and commercials for Modern Post, a New York City-based post studio that provides editing, color and finishing services. The studio’s work includes editing for music videos by artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat and Lady Gaga and brands such as Target, Cadillac, the NFL and Air Jordan.
What does the job of an editor these days entail?
For me, editing starts with pulling a few rounds of selects. From there, it’s about creating an edit that feels as close to final as possible in the offline, with sound design, some light VFX and an overall color. Then I work through revisions, cutdowns and overseeing everything through to delivery.
Vogue
What would surprise people the most about what editors do, in addition to traditional editing?
Probably the amount of sound design and sound editing happening in offline editing. Personally, I think picture and audio influence each other, so for me, they’re happening at the same time.
Do you put on a different hat when cutting for a specific genre?
I don’t know that I put on a different hat, but we do set up projects differently. For a music video or anything with sync, I rely quite heavily on my stack sequences. For something dialogue- or sound design-based that doesn’t exist, building out the sound design happens quite early in the project. Every project requires something a bit unique, but I think my process tends to be quite similar.
Are you often asked to do more than edit? If so, what are you asked to do?
A lot of editing comes from outside of Adobe Premiere. It requires having to interpret direction or feedback that is sometimes quite vague and non-actionable and having to understand what is actually being asked of you, even when the person giving the direction doesn’t even know. A lot of times, it’s about figuring out what directors or creatives want.
What’s your favorite way to work with a client? Your proven method?
I like to start going through the footage, then get on a call with the director or agency and get any specific info. Then ideally, I’ll have a few days alone to put together a first edit that I feel good about before getting any feedback.
Bad Gyal
What are some questions you ask to get the tone and pace set in your mind?
I always ask about music direction, as that often sets the tone. I’ll see if they have any references. But often it’s just about getting keywords.
Do you have a favorite plugin or tool within Premiere that you call on a lot?
I end up slowing footage down pretty regularly. I used to use Twixtor for that, but now I mostly just do it in Premiere using Optical Flow.
Does AI play a role in your work?
I’m not a huge AI person, but I do use it a lot in scratch VO. It has really eliminated the need to have someone in the office who can read scratch and has made it possible to get the offline VO to feel a lot closer to the desired outcome.
Can you name some recent jobs?
Nike x Knwls, Adéla’s Sex on the Beat, Bad Gyal’s Da Me and the Vogue short film You Can’t Stop the Beat.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is the moment when things start to work, and the puzzle pieces of the edit make sense. The edit emerges from there, but that excitement of figuring it out is the most fun part.
What’s your least favorite?
My own anxiety, which results in work infiltrating my brain for every waking moment.
Vogue
Was there a film or series that inspired you into this industry?
Both Girls and Frances Ha were really big moments for me.
How early did you know this would be your path?
I was drawn to editing starting in high school, but I had no idea about a career path until I was an assistant editor.
Any tips for those just starting out?
My advice is to never send anything without watching it down first (even if someone’s rushing you for the link). I was given that advice as a new assistant, and following it has saved me from sending dumb mistakes more times than I ever could have imagined.
What are three pieces of technology you can’t live without?
My computer for work, my speakers for listening to music and my Kindle because sometimes I’m too lazy to hold up a whole book.
What do you do to de-stress from it all?
Watch Below Deck. (Unfortunately, I’ve now watched every episode across all the different franchises, so if anyone has a replacement show, send pls).
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