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2022Committee NewsCut to BlackMembership OutreachMPEG DiversityWeb Exclusives

Cut to Black: Vincent K. “Vinnie” DeRamus, Assistant Editor

by uncredited
written by uncredited 5 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Vincent K. “Vinnie” DeRamus
What’s your job? I am an assistant editor at Wolf Entertainment
List the credits you’re most proud of. The show I’m working on now, “Chicago Med,” is the project I’m most proud of. Before my current show, I worked on NBC’s “The Voice” and prior to those shows, I worked in film trailers and some of the projects I’m grateful to have been a part of were, “Lord of the Rings,” the first “Transformers” movie and “Star Trek” (2009), to name a few.
What are you working on right now? Currently, “Chicago Med” at Wolf Entertainment. It’s been a fantastic experience everything I’ve learned to this point in my career and everything I’m learning on “Chicago Med” is taking me to a level I always hoped I’d reach in my career.
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? As for mentors, Lillian E. Benson, ACE, has been a massive influence for me. We talk intently on a creative level almost on a daily basis, which is an experience I’ve not had much of in my career to this point and I’ll never be able to qualify how much it’s meant to me just in the last couple of years. Of course the mentors I have just met in the Diversity Mentorship program have already been willing to share their experience with me: Nena Erb, ACE Nona Khodai, ACE and Chris Cooke, ACE. Robert Malachowski, ACE  who was instrumental in the growth of my self-confidence and skillset at The Voice. Hudson Smith and Glen Ebesu taught me how to stay centered. Also, from my days in trailers, Art Mondrala, Jenn Horvath and Jon Epstein – the first editor to offer me his Avid bay after hours to “cut” my teeth on when I was a PA taking his dinner order. And lastly, Sally Ray, my boss from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. She had the fateful idea that led me to revisit my post production education when the Creature Shop was looking for an editor to cut reels of our animatronic work for bid proposals and presentations. The encouragement, support, trust and friendship from these people has shaped who I am.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I have several books near my bed that I’m excited about finishing:
“How to Be Black” – Baratunde Thurston
“Black Panther a Nation Under Our Feet, Book One” (graphic novel) – Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Altered Carbon” – Richard K. Morgan
“The Grand Design” – Stephen Hawkins
“Death by Black Hole” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
Shows that I’m currently watching:
“Star Trek: Discovery”
“The Book of Boba Fett”
“What We Do In The Shadows”
“Abbott Elementary”
“We Are Lady Parts”
“Southside”
“Rick and Morty”
Recent films:
“Don’t Look Up”
“C’mon, C’mon”
What would be your superhero name? Acceptor of All
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? A bit of my own history I recently discovered was my grandmother’s story of being the last of the sharecroppers riding away in a horse drawn cart from a plantation she “worked” on as a child. She passed away just seven days before her 101st birthday last year in 2021. It really hit me how not far this part of our country’s history is in the past. Culturally, I am huge fan and supporter of music created by black bands in genres that are presumed to not be “black” like punk rock or some sub-genres of indie rock.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? “Always in motion, is the future…”
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? A time when intergalactic travel is commonplace and equality is a not a commodity. I think in “Star Trek.”
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? Handy-man, mountain biker, model-maker, bass player (kinda).
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? “Do the Right Thing,” was a pivotal moment for a black film with a message. It ushered in an era of bringing such films to the forefront of mainstream cinema. Moments in TV from shows like “Black Jesus” and “Southside” and films like “Friday” resonate with me. While they are filled with stereotypes and archetypical characters and stories, they afford me the ability to laugh about the circumstances that were otherwise traumatizing, while growing up in Compton.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? “The Empire Strikes Back.” Thought I’d either save the galaxy like Luke or make Sci-Fi movies. Given warp travel isn’t yet possible, I found the latter to be a more plausible pursuit.
What’s your personal/professional mantra? Breathe.
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? Most recently, “Don’t Look Up!” Scary.
What would be your dream project to work on? One of my own. A TV series that I create.
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2022Committee NewsCut to BlackMembership OutreachMPEG DiversityWeb Exclusives

Cut to Black: Pam DeMetruis-Thomas, Sound Editor

by uncredited
written by uncredited 5 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Pam DeMetruis-Thomas
What’s your job? Sound Editor for feature films and episodic television
List the credits you’re most proud of. I love my craft and take pride in small sonic triumphs on every project. It’s an honor to fret over, choose, and concoct sonic textures that will always be there. Though big budget projects are wonderful jobs, my proudest moments are on lower budget scrappier productions with passionate Directors. “Passing,” “Time Out of Mind,” “Songcatcher,” “Floating,” “Just Another Girl on the IRT,” to name a few.
What are you working on right now? I decided to try something different for the pandemic and have taken on a documentary film project as Picture Editor.
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? I’m able to work as a Union Sound Editor because Black and Women craftspeople came before me and paved the way.
A constant student of my craft, influence is everywhere! 2 art installations stay with me: JR’s “The Chronicles of New York” (which was at the Brooklyn Museum just before lockdown) and Janet Cardiff’s “The 40 Part Motet” are powerful and innovative uses of sound, outside my normal experience.
To shout-out a few mentors I’ll start with Vince the transfer expeditor at Magno who taught me how to communicate effectively with sound facilities.
Richard Schmiechen, the first Picture Editor I assisted.
Dan Sable who kindly talked me thru my first big Sound Editing job, George Romero’s “Creepshow.” I had boomed the shoot and talked my way into Supervising the Sound Edit. ( I hadn’t yet worked post sound on a full feature and knew I was in over my head.) Dan was very generous with his time and hooked me up to visit his foley walker on the original Kojak series. I couldn’t have done that job without Dan to consult!
Assisting Chic Ciccolini for several years I learned to work professionally in Sound Editorial and had a lot of fun.
Editing Sound Effects on Stan Bochner’s jobs were the most collaborative.
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? My dad was a Songwriter who grew up during the Harlem Renaissance. Last year I got to work on Rebecca Hall’s film “Passing.” It felt good to work hard on a project so close to my personal roots.
I love attending the American Black Film Festivals ABFF when possible.
Working with and hearing industry stories about remarkable craftspeople doing great work while standing strong in the face of strange and senseless obstacles. I think of their strength when feeling dissed for being too “urban”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? “No” often means “not now”. It’s okay to try again down the line.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? I’m kicking myself for not having this at my fingertips so I’ll name a fun recent show in general – “Bridgerton.”
What’s your professional mantra? Have a plan to complete the entire project before focusing on the fun bits
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? I have to answer this differently. A casual conversation with an older (White) friend left me speechless. Normally empathetic she had praised police for destroying 50 dirt-bikes in the Bronx last summer. I was horrified thinking: destroying property? Were any of the bikes used for work? I wanted to know more about the biker groups my friend had presumed to be thugs. The documentary “12 O’clock Boys” gave me a voice for any future conversations on the subject. It also led me to the doc series “Warriors of Liberty City” which I’m just happy to see.
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Cut to Black: Deanna Nowell, Picture Editor

by uncredited
written by uncredited 3 minutes read

For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.

Name: Deanna Nowell

What’s your job? Picture Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of: I’m proud of most of my credits but I have to say I’m extremely proud of some of my most resent work “Grand Crew,” “Raising Dion,” “Ambitions” and “Sacrifice.”

Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? I would have to say my mother, Josie McDougald, is the reason I love films so much. We watched from classic black & white to current movies every weekend. We would talk about the plots, characters and stories afterward. There are quite a few editors I respect but the ones who inspire me the most are Thelma Schoonmaker, ACE, Lillian Benson, ACE, Terilyn A. Shropshire, ACE, Kelley Dixon, ACE and Joi McMillon, ACE.

My current mentors are Rob Hardy, Will Packer, Shannon Baker-Davis, ACE, Angela M. Catanzaro, ACE and Anita Brandt Burgoyne, ACE.

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I’m so excited that “Ozark” is back and I’ve just started watching the new season. “The Landscapers,” “King Richard,” “Don’t Look Up” & “Nobody” were all pretty captivating to watch.

What would be your superhero name? “Cool Beans” mainly because its usually my response to everything.

What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? I would have to say listening to my grandmother tell stories about growing up in the deep south working the land then finally moving to Chicago during the Great Migration. They did what they had to do in order for me to be able to do what I want to do.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Keep learning always be a student.

What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I dabble in cosplay and I usually portray Wonder Woman (DC comics), Rocket (DC comics), Wolverine-X23 (Marvel comics) or Storm (Marvel comics).

What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? When Dwayne Wayne crashed Whitley Gilbert’s wedding on “A Different World” and the musical numbers in “School Daze” Ironically enough, both influenced me to attend an HBCU. I’m a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University.

Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? When I saw “The Usual Suspects” and the opening credits to“ Snatch” I knew then I wanted to be an editor.

What’s your personal/professional mantra? My college motto “Find a Way or Make One” I live this every single day in my personal and professional life.

What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? I wouldn’t necessarily say speechless because I had a lot to say after I saw it, but “The Harder They Fall” was super inspirational in so many ways. I loved the editing by Tom Eagle, ACE and the star-studded cast was phenomenal.

What would be your dream project to work on? I have a couple of dream projects, Marvel ANYTHING and I love romantic comedies so I would love to edit a ROMCOM feature film.

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2022Committee NewsCut to BlackMembership OutreachMPEG DiversityWeb Exclusives

Cut to Black: Monty DeGraff, Picture Editor

by uncredited
written by uncredited 2 minutes read

For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.

Name: Monty DeGraff

What’s your job/classification? Supervising Picture Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of: “Law & Order,” “Narcos,” DareDevil,” “Man In The High Castle,” “Carnivale”

What are you working on right now? “PowerBook III: Raising Kanan”

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I’m currently reading Colton Whitehead’s “Harlem Shuffle,” excited about the return of “Atlanta,“ and still tripping on the greatness of “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

What would be your superhero name? HappyMan… Able to be happy during any circumstances and around all people!

What are your black history month memories? When I started in editorial as an apprentice, MLK’s birthday was not widely celebrated in Hollywood. Post supervisors would quietly come up to me (invariably the only person of color on the project ) to let me know that if I wanted to take the day off, I could.

If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I could time travel it would be 40 years into the future so I could see how we get out of the environmental and societal mess we’re in

What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? Seeing Sidney Poitier slap the …… out of a rich white southerner who had slapped him in “In The Heat of The Night.”

What’s your personal/professional mantra? “There are no limits to what I can do.”

What would be your dream project to work on? My dream project is the one that I’m working on now “Raising Kanan.” I’ve cut the pilot and have recently directed my first episode. The scripts are amazing and the acting led by Patina Miller, is simply incredible. Always excited to go to work on this one.

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2021Committee NewsCTB2021Cut to BlackMembership OutreachMPEG DiversityWeb Exclusives

Cut to Black: Q de Chambres, Picture Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 4 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Q de Chambres

What’s your job? Picture Editor on an unscripted series.

List the credits you’re most proud of. I am most proud of the work I did on the Disney Plus show “Behind The Attraction, Tower of Terror.” That show was a combination of history, comedy. I love historical pieces and comedy so to blend them both in editing, I could do that all day!
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? I am fortunate that my wife is an editor and she has mentored me during my early years of editing but my influences are the work of Ken Burns, The CNN Decades series and a young filmmaker Johnathan Couette.
What books are you reading and/or shows are you watching? I finally finished the Miles Davis Autobiography and am currently in the middle of a couple of Black history books; One about my family’s hometown called “Smoketown” and another titled “The Warmth of Other Suns.” I’m waiting for the next season of the late John Singleton’s “Snowfall.” I binge-watched it last year. I’m intrigued with that period of LA history; the drugs, the music, government and police corruption. That stuff is gold to me.
What would be your superhero name? The Black Knight.
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? I am a fan of James Baldwin and I love the historic James Baldwin vs William F. Buckley debate. It encompasses what Baldwin was about in so many ways. He was on fire that night!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Be fearless and don’t be afraid to fail, several innovators failed before achieving success.

If you could time travel, when would you go and why? Harlem, during the Renaissance, because it would be incredible to live and work among some of the most creative and outgoing black artists ever!

What’s a little known fact about you? I worked in Production and on set for 15 years, I was a 1st assistant director and line producer before switching to editing. I also worked in film marketing and distribution for the films like, “Do The Right Thing,” and Pulp Fiction.”

Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? Yes, both Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and “Do The Right Thing.” I worked on the marketing in the Texas region and I remember listening to him talk about filmmaking and seeking to demystify the craft. I bought every companion book to his first four movies. I read them and checked out the storyboards. He was very insistent that anyone could do it. I knew I had to at least try just go for it be fearless and not take no for an answer. I moved from Texas to California to pursue my passion.

What’s your personal/professional mantra? No Regrets! Live life with no regrets! You never know until you try. I jump in head first and go full blast. Sometimes I land on my feet and sometimes I flop but I have no regrets for trying. I win more than I fail.

What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “US!” I love when someone can blend socio-economic and political issues into pure entertainment with stunning visuals, and plot. Jordan Peele, Jordan Peele, Jordan Peele that’s all I can say.

What would be your dream project to work on? There are so many great black history stories I would love to edit. I have several subjects in mind and I’m not waiting for someone to hire me to do that – I may very well start producing and editing that on my own! Time waits for no one.
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Cut to Black: J. Kathleen Gibson, ACE, Picture Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 3 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: J. Kathleen Gibson, ACE
What’s your job? Picture Editor for Film/Television
List the credits you’re most proud of. As Editor: Julia Child pilot, “Interrogation,” “GENIUS/Einstein,” “The Red Road,” “BOSS,” “InTreatment.” As Assistant Editor: “Once Upon A Time In America,” “Swimming To Cambodia,” “Something Wild,” “Rumblefish”
What are you working on right now? Recently finished a pilot about Julia Child for HBOMAX
Who and what are your influences?  Wim Wenders, Andrei Tarkovsky, Terence Malick, François Truffaut. I enjoy films that are rich visually, and character driven.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? Currently reading “Sapiens,” “The New Yorker,” “The Sunne In Splendour.” Watching the “CALM” series on HBOMAX to attempt to chill out at the end of the day!
What would be your superhero name? Magic Goldilocks
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? Currently I would have to say the BLM movement.
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? Ten months from now when, hopefully, most people have been COVID vaccinated and I can get on a plane and go to see friends and family!!!
What’s a little known fact about you? I can wiggle my left ear. I inherited that talent from my dad, although he could wiggle both ears.
What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I make a rather amazing pear/almond tart, a delicious Gruyére soufflé, and am an accomplished equestrian.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? Loved watching Idris Elba in “Luther.” “I May Destroy You” kind of blew me away. Looking forward to seeing what she does next…
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? Tony Bill’s “Five Corners.” LOVED that movie. At the end of watching it I turned to my friend and said: “THAT’S why I love making films.” I had already started working in film, but that one reinforced why I loved being involved in making movies.
What’s your personal/professional mantra? Pay attention to the details.
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “My Octopus Teacher”
What would be your dream project to work on? I’ll know it when I’ve done it.
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Cut to Black: Wynton Payne, Picture Editor/VFX Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 4 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Wynton Payne
What’s your job? Picture Editor/VFX Editor
List the credits you’re most proud of. “Marvel’s Luke Cage,” “Space Jam 2: A New Legacy,” “The Walking Dead” and “The Fight Within”
What are you working on right now? I’m currently VFX Editor on “Space Jam 2: A New Legacy.”
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My influences are almost too many to list, but I’ll name a few. My mother who loved without boundary, taught my siblings and I the strength of compassion and fortified the courage to go after our dreams regardless of any negativity. Another one is Craig Robinson. He’s an incredibly talented and successful comedian now, but way back when, I knew him as Mr. Robinson, my ironically funny music teacher. He was talented and always encouraging. One day, we didn’t have class. Instead, he showed us a tape of his debut on “Def Comedy Jam. I didn’t know it was even an interest of his. It was one of THEE funniest and potent moments for me. Like my mom, it showed me the value of pursuing dreams without limitations. And just a few of the incredible people that have and continue to pour into my life/career are my wife Eboni Payne, Jeff Morrow, Charles Murray, Cheo Hodari Coker, James Wilcox and Sharon Smith Holley.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? Currently, I’m listening to a book on quantum theory, and excited to see the next episode of “WandaVision.”
What would be your superhero name? One of my uncle’s once said I should be called Quiet Storm. But, he might have just been jumpy that day lol.
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? Growing up in Chicago, I got to see its rich and complicated cultural history from the segregated neighborhoods to the stories partially told in painted murals on the sides of buildings and underpasses across the city. These images made a huge impact on me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Don’t let someone else’s reality determine yours… Unless it’s an amazing story lol. This is some life advice that I also use in my storytelling. It reminds me of the importance of understanding of point of view.
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I would travel back to hang out with my mom again.
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so  hidden) talents? I’ve always wanted to be an actor/producer, and I hold a black belt in at least one martial art.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment?  Ok, I have two. “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air:” Will breaking down about his dad leaving…just wow. And “A Different World:” Dwayne crashing a wedding to stop Whitley from marrying someone else.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career?  Oh, gosh I have so many on a spectrum. “Do the Right Thing,” “Citizen Cain,” “House Party,” “E.T.,” Tim Burton’s “Batman,” “Star Wars,” “Ghostbusters,” “American Werewolf in London,” “Seven.”
What’s your personal/professional mantra?  Grow a little every day. And, from glory to glory
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “Lovecraft Country.” Every episode lol.
What would be your dream project to work on? The one from where I win my first Oscar perhaps lol.
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Cut to Black: DeVaughn Watts, Music Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 2 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: DeVaughn Watts

What’s your job? Music Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of. “Us,” “6 Underground,” “Guava Island,” “The Predator,” “The Invisible Man”

What are you working on right now? A Marvel film.

Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My mentor is Del Spiva (another African American music editor with 20 years in the industry).

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? Definitely excited to see the finished product of the film I’m currently working on. Also “Coming 2 America” (which my mentor worked on) and all the new Marvel movies coming soon.

What would be your superhero name? Mr. Incredible

What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? When Barack Obama became president! Proves that WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? “You miss every shot you don’t take.”

If you could time travel, when would you go and why? To graduating year at high school. I’d love to get a “leg up” in the industry and get a bigger head start than what I already had.

What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I’m very musically talented and can sing very well.

Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career?  Well the movie “Drumline” inspired me to chase music in college/attend an HBCU, and I honestly wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I didn’t.

What’s your personal/professional mantra? Never complain about where you’re at/what you’re going through because it could ALWAYS be worse. Instead GET UP and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “Uncut Gems.” That ending was INSANE!!!

What would be your dream project to work on? Honestly??? The next big “Black Panther” movie. I’m so blessed to be working on a Marvel film currently so I’m on the right track!
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Cut to Black: Kimberly Wilson, Supervising Sound Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 2 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Kimberly R. McCord-Wilson
What’s your job? Supervising Sound Editor for Warner Brothers Studios.
List the credits you’re most proud of. Difficult to choose—my dialogue work on Spike Lee’s “Summer of Sam” or HBO’s, “The Wire” to supervising Peabody Award winning “David Makes Man.”
What are you working on right now? S2 CBS’s, “All Rise” and gearing up for “David Makes Man, S2.”Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? Satya Goenka.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching? “The Nickel Boys” and “I Will Destroy You.”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? See things for what they really are.
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? My childhood—the 70s were dope!
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I have 7% Yakut ancestry.
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? My college-tour of Howard University. I was humbled by a renewed sense of majesty feeling the energy of the cultural brilliance surrounding me. I got accepted and never looked back.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? Waiting for “What’s Happenings,” “Doobie or Not Doobie Pt 2,” to air.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? Watching 70s B-horror movies: hearing all those cool Sci-fi SFX opened that door.What’s your personal/professional mantra? Never answer before you’re ready.
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? Marcel Camus’ “Orfeu Negro.”
What would be your dream project to work on? Dream Talent(s): Regina King, Radha Blank, Ava DuVernay, Kenya Barris, Michaela Coel, Steve McQueen, Donald Glover, Charles D. King, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle,  Nia DaCosta, Lena Waithe, Mara Brock Akil, Monkeypaw Productions, Overbrook Entertainment, Viva Maude Productions, Higher Ground Productions, SpringHill Entertainment , Animal Pictures, Proximity Media and Outlier Society just to name a few. 🙂
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Cut to Black: Sean Linal, Assistant Editor

by Nikki O’Connor
written by Nikki O’Connor 2 minutes read
For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Sean Linal

What’s your job? Assistant Editor

List the credits you’re most proud of. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Queen Sugar,” “Teen Wolf,” “Timeless,” “The Bachelor”

What are you working on right now? “All Rise, Season 2 (CBS All-Access)

Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? George Lucas. David Lynch. Spike Lee. The Neptunes. Babyface.

What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about?
Books:  L.A. Reid’s “Sing To Me” and “Thrawn.” Television: “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “The Mandalorian,” “Transformers: War for Cybertron,” “Narcos: Mexico,” “Cobra Kai,” “Penny Dreadful,” and “90 Day Fiance.” Movies: “The Many Saints of Newark,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “The Godfather Coda,” and “Tenet.”
What would be your superhero name? Plushard

What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? In 2019, I visited Washington, D.C. and saw a block commemorating the enslaved Africans who helped build the U.S. Capitol. I also visited all 8 floors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It left me in tears.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?  “You’re damned if you do. You’re damned if you don’t.” (Bart Simpson) In other words, just get out there and live!

If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I’d go back to 1994 and enroll in a community college that offered film school courses vs going to (and graduating from) a private film school right before the economy tanked.

What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I love mayonnaise. I rarely eat hot sauce and only on selected dishes. I’m a great Salsa dancer and Karoake singer. I have tattoos of a Sith Hologram (back of my neck) and the Auto-bot Matrix of Leadership inside of Optimus Prime (across my chest, of course).

What would be your dream project to work on? Any Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers TV show or film project. Or a Metallica project, because my future wife loves them.

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