Transitioning From ‘Reality TV’ to Scripted Drama | with Monica Daniel
Learn how an accomplished reality TV editor successfully transitioned to working in scripted television.
About Episode
Parenting in post-production: Balancing any kind of personal life outside your demanding career in post-production is difficult, but when that personal life includes children, it can feel nearly impossible. Having two young kids myself (a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter), I know how impossible it can seem to be present as a parent while being equally focused on your job for 12+ hours every day. But there are ways to find balance and be successful with both.
In this episode I have a conversation with award-nominated editor Yvette Amirian about how she became a successful television editor very quickly in her young career, but more importantly how she is balancing a demanding job, teaching several editing courses at USC, as well as raising her 5-year old son.
Episode Highlights
- Yvette’s background as an editor and producer
- The role of and editor in unscripted television
- How Yvette made the transition into producing
- The reality TV workflow
- Yvette’s career trajectory and how she moved up the ladder so quickly
- Tips on how to successfully move from assistant editor to editor
- A few things Yvette learned in her first few years as a parent
- Sharing the caretaking duties with family and how to get some quality time in with your child
- How your perspective and priorities change when you have a child
- The difficulties of missing time with your child and how to make up for it
- Balancing work and parenting
- The importance of putting your foot down
- Coping with the guilt of missing out on your child’s milestones
- How being a woman with a child has affected Yvette’s career prospects (and how society judges that)
- How Yvette’s career aspirations changed (or didn’t) since having a child
- When your career is your identity, how do you take on another?
- Struggling to balance career and children is something we all deal with!
About Guest
Yvette Amirian is an award-nominated film and television editor, as well as a producer and writer. In addition to her work in the industry, Yvette teaches editing courses at her alma mater, USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Yvette lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 5-year old son.
Episode Credits
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.
The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.
Recommended Next Episodes
Making the Jump From Assistant Editor to Editor
Minority Report editor Tyler Cook and Empire editor Zack Arnold discuss what it takes to make the jump from assistant to sitting in the editor's chair.
Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn
Unlike doctors or lawyers, the path to having a successful career is not linear. The key is learning the proper steps to forge your own unique path.
Is Taking Free Work Really Worth It? | with Alan Bell, ACE
It’s extremely common in creative industries to see job listings for free or low paid work, but how do you know if it will ultimately lead to career growth?