Great editing isn’t about one massive choice—it’s about stacking a bunch of small, intentional ones. In this video, I walk through four subtle but powerful techniques that made a recent commercial work. I’m joined by veteran director Scott Rice, and together we break down how we approached this p...
In this video, I break down my five-step editing process using a real commercial I cut with veteran director Scott Rice. It’s the same framework I’ve used for over 20 years on big-budget TV spots, and I believe that using it will sharpen your edits instantly.
Watch as we unpack each step while s...
In this video, I give unfiltered feedback on a spec ad created by subscriber Dimitri Bertetto—and by the end, I decide if it's an editing win or fail.
First off, Dimitri nailed the tone. The ad is motivational and inspiring, exactly what you'd want from a sports spot. The inter
...Most beginner editing tutorials make the same mistake—they jump straight into software without setting you up for success. In this video, I flip that approach. With over 20 years of experience editing high-end TV commercials, I want to show you how to start editing with a pro mindset from day one...
In this video, I’m breaking down a five-step editing process that has shaped my 20-plus year career editing high-budget broadcast commercials—and it’s something you can use in your own edits starting today. I’m joined by the brilliant Scott Rice, a former editor turned commercial director (and co...
Great sound design can make a commercial—but where do you even start? In this video, I sit down with seasoned commercial director Scott Rice to break down how pro editors approach sound design specifically for commercials—and why it’s just as essential as the cinematography.
We talk about how so...
In this video, I brought in veteran commercial director Scott Rice to roast my rough cut of a comedy PSA about underage drinking. Scott’s not only a longtime collaborator, he also teaches with Matthew McConaughey at UT Austin, so I knew I’d get honest, high-level feedback.
We walked through mult...
If you've ever edited a commercial or short-form video, you've likely faced the same challenge Scott Rice and I tackle in this video: balancing cleverness with clarity.
Scott—veteran commercial director, former editor, and co-professor with Matthew McConaughey at UT Austin—joined me to dissect a...
When editors talk about emotion being the most important factor in a cut, it sounds inspiring—but vague. So in this video, I sit down with veteran director Scott Rice to break down how to actually edit for emotion in a practical, actionable way.
Whether you're working on a short film, commercial...
When people think of video editing, they usually think picture first—cutting visuals, matching pace. But honestly, one of the best ways to level up as an editor is through sound design. In this video, I walk you through my live process of designing sound for a cinematic motorcycle scene, and I do...
Ever wondered what it’s like to sit behind a pro editor during a real project? In this live editing session, I invite you into my edit suite and walk you through my actual process—no polish, just a real-time cut of a high-energy dirt bike sequence using stock footage from Artlist (affiliate link)...
You've probably heard that the best edits are the ones you don't notice. But that's not always true—especially when you're trying to evoke an emotion. I'm Austen Menges, a professional editor with over 20 years of experience specializing in broadcast TV commercials with budgets of $100,000 and hi...
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