"If you're a good storyteller, if you can get what the director wants on film, and get the continuity and the story and the flow and the timing, then you've done a good job."

    About This Interview

    In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Arthur Schneider (1930-2009) reminisces about his early days in television, beginning as an assistant editor at NBC in Hollywood (and later NBC Burbank), where he quickly became a full-fledged editor. He talks about his experiences editing numerous Bob Hope comedy specials and Christmas specials from Vietnam, and the unique editing challenges on those projects. Schneider discusses his development of the groundbreaking editing style on NBC's Laugh-In, and the liberal use of jump cuts. He also recalls many of the editing techniques that were used in the early days of television and explains the various technologies that have changed the face of editing throughout the last half-century. Finally, he touches on the variety programs that he edited throughout the years, including projects with Sonny and Cher and Julie Andrews. Henry Colman conducted the interview in a joint venture with American Cinema Editors (ACE) on July 16, 2001 at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Colgate Comedy Hour

    02:28
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on the use of jumpcuts on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and on editing comedy

    04:35
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on getting his nickname "Jump Cut" while working on the Bob Hope Specials

    03:01
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on his first job at NBC, starting in 1951 as a television engineer, and on learning how to edit

    03:36
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on editing with a laugh track

    01:08
    Thumbnail of Arthur Schneider

    Arthur Schneider on how he would like to be remembered

    01:43
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on movies he enjoyed growing up; on moving to Los Angeles and attending USC, and on the first time he saw television

    09:28

    On his first job at NBC, starting in 1951 as a television engineer, and on learning how to edit; on the kinescope, and how it was used for television, and his other responsibilities at NBC

    13:48

    On editing The Colgate Comedy Hour; on editing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, and This Is Your Life

    04:24

    Chapter 2

    On editing Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, The Perry Como Show, and Your Show of Shows; on how the transcontinental cable impacted television broadcasting in the United States, and on NBC moving to Burbank in 1954; on the advent of video tape and its impact on television

    10:31

    On editing on video tape, and on working for the NBC promotions department editing trailers; on his experience with the Hollywood Blacklist, and on NBC's colorblind test; on editing The Bob Hope Specials

    18:15

    Chapter 3

    On working with Bob Hope as editor of the Bob Hope Specials; on getting his nickname "Jump Cut" while working on the Bob Hope Specials ; on the production and editing process for the Bob Hope Specials

    16:33

    On the craft of editing for television; on editing on 16 millimeter film and other formats, and on workprints; on the double system method of editing, and on off-line editing and dealing with deadlines

    12:24

    Chapter 4

    On missing an editing deadline; on editing with a laugh track, and on video head incompatibility; on the responsibilities of the video tape opreator

    09:46

    On working on NBC Matinee Theater; on editing color videotape; on the various kinds of videotape editing technology he used

    14:11

    On how digital technology has changed editing for television; on editing for the 1964 Democratic National Convention

    05:56

    Chapter 5

    On editing for The Huntley-Brinkley Report; on his role in creating the instant replay; on editing for The Julie Andrews Show, with guest-star Gene Kelly

    09:30

    On editing a special for Danny Thomas; on editing for The Dean Martin Show; on editing for ABC Stage 67

    09:55

    On editing for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, produced by George Schlatter

    10:34

    Chapter 6

    On the use of jumpcuts on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and on editing comedy; on the production of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In; on the cast of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    12:12

    On editing the notorious flop Turn-On; on editing the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour; on editing Tony Orlando & Dawn, Maude, and the roast segments of The Dean Martin Show

    16:24

    Chapter 7

    On editing The New Mickey Mouse Club; on various editing systems he has used, and on meeting Stanley Kubrick; Candid Camera, Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop, and The Greatest American Hero

    07:29

    On testing various editing systems; on editing his final Bob Hope Special, and on those being his favorites; on advice to an aspiring editor

    09:27

    On the then-current state of television editing, and on how computers have changed the quality of editing; on career highlights and regrets; on how he would like to be remembered

    04:49

    ABC Stage 67

    Arthur Schneider on working on ABC Stage 67's production of "Noon Wine," directed by Sam Peckinpah

    03:47

    Arthur Schneider on working on ABC Stage 67's production of "The Wide Open Door," directed by Franklin J. Shaffner

    02:17

    Bob Hope Specials

    Arthur Schneider on editing the Bob Hope Specials

    03:54

    Arthur Schneider on working with Bob Hope as editor of the Bob Hope Specials

    09:03

    Arthur Schneider on getting his nickname "Jump Cut" while working on the Bob Hope Specials

    03:01

    Arthur Schneider on the production and editing process for the Bob Hope Specials

    04:29

    Arthur Schneider on editing his final Bob Hope Special, and on those being his favorites

    04:19

    Candid Camera

    Arthur Schneider on editing Candid Camera

    01:00

    Colgate Comedy Hour, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Colgate Comedy Hour

    02:28

    Dean Martin Show, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Dean Martin Show

    01:17

    Arthur Schneider on editing the celebrity roasts on The Dean Martin Show

    02:25

    Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show and This Is Your Life

    01:56

    Greatest American Hero, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Greatest American Hero

    00:34

    Huntley-Brinkley Report, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Huntley-Brinkley Report

    01:27

    Julie Andrews Show, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Julie Andrews Show, with guest-star Gene Kelly

    03:43

    Maude

    Arthur Schneider on editing Maude

    01:08

    Mickey Mouse Club, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing The New Mickey Mouse Club

    01:36

    NBC Matinee Theater

    Arthur Schneider on working on NBC Matinee Theater

    01:51

    Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop

    Arthur Schneider on editing Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop

    01:28

    Perry Como Show, The

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Perry Como Show

    01:12

    Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    Arthur Schneider on editing for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, produced by George Schlatter

    10:09

    Arthur Schneider on the use of jumpcuts on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and on editing comedy

    04:35

    Arthur Schneider on the production of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    03:55

    Arthur Schneider on the cast of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    03:19

    Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

    Arthur Schneider on editing the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

    03:14

    Texaco Star Theater

    Arthur Schneider on editing Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater

    02:30

    This Is Your Life

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show and This Is Your Life

    01:56

    Tony Orlando & Dawn

    Arthur Schneider on editing Tony Orlando & Dawn

    01:06

    Turn-On

    Arthur Schneider on editing the notorious flop Turn-On

    03:34

    Your Show of Shows

    Arthur Schneider on editing Your Show of Shows

    00:29

    Emmy Awards

    Arthur Schneider on editing Lorne Greene's American West, and on winning and being nominated for Emmys

    01:23

    Hollywood Blacklist

    Arthur Schneider on his experience with the Hollywood Blacklist, and on NBC's colorblind test

    02:03

    Industry Crossroads

    Arthur Schneider on his experience with the Hollywood Blacklist, and on NBC's colorblind test

    02:03

    Technological Innovation

    Arthur Schneider on the kinescope, and how it was used for television, and his other responsibilities at NBC

    06:22

    Arthur Schneider on NBC's early television facilities at Sunset and Vine, and the editing equipment he used there

    03:49

    Arthur Schneider on how the transcontinental cable impacted television broadcasting in the United States, and on NBC moving to Burbank in 1954

    03:39

    Arthur Schneider on the advent of video tape and its impact on television

    02:40

    Arthur Schneider on editing on video tape

    07:39

    Arthur Schneider on editing color videotape

    04:07

    Arthur Schneider on his role in creating the instant replay

    04:18

    Television and the Presidency

    Arthur Schneider on editing for the 1964 Democratic National Convention

    04:05

    Television Industry

    Arthur Schneider on his experience with the Hollywood Blacklist, and on NBC's colorblind test

    02:03

    Arthur Schneider on the then-current state of television editing, and on how computers have changed the quality of editing

    01:16

    Editor

    Arthur Schneider on editing on video tape

    07:39

    Arthur Schneider on the craft of editing for television

    03:09

    Arthur Schneider on editing on 16 millimeter film and other formats, and on workprints

    05:07

    Arthur Schneider on the double system method of editing, and on off-line editing

    02:29

    Arthur Schneider on dealing with deadlines for editors

    01:38

    Arthur Schneider on missing an editing deadline

    02:28

    Arthur Schneider on editing with a laugh track

    01:09

    Arthur Schneider on video head incompatibility

    03:44

    Arthur Schneider on the responsibilities of the video tape opreator, and on skip printing

    02:23

    Arthur Schneider on the various kinds of videotape editing technology he used

    08:11

    Arthur Schneider on how digital technology has changed editing for television

    01:54

    Arthur Schneider on the use of jumpcuts on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and on editing for comedy

    04:35

    Arthur Schneider on working at Consolidate Film Industries with the first computer and video tape editing system

    04:55

    Arthur Schneider on various editing systems he has used, and on meeting Stanley Kubrick

    02:51

    Arthur Schneider on testing various editing systems

    02:04

    Arthur Schneider on re-editing various series for syndication

    02:20

    Arthur Schneider on advice to an aspiring editor

    00:44

    Post-Production Professionals

    Arthur Schneider on editing on video tape

    07:39

    Arthur Schneider on the craft of editing for television

    03:09

    Arthur Schneider on editing on 16 millimeter film and other formats, and on workprints

    05:07

    Arthur Schneider on the double system method of editing, and on off-line editing

    02:29

    Arthur Schneider on dealing with deadlines for editors

    01:38

    Arthur Schneider on missing an editing deadline

    02:28

    Arthur Schneider on editing with a laugh track

    01:09

    Arthur Schneider on video head incompatibility

    03:46

    Arthur Schneider on the responsibilities of the video tape opreator

    02:23

    Arthur Schneider on the various kinds of videotape editing technology he used

    08:11

    Arthur Schneider on how digital technology has changed editing for television

    01:54

    Arthur Schneider on the use of jumpcuts on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and on editing comedy

    04:35

    Arthur Schneider on working at Consolidate Film Industries with the first computer and video tape editing system

    04:55

    Arthur Schneider on various editing systems he has used, and on meeting Stanley Kubrick

    02:51

    Arthur Schneider on testing various editing systems

    02:07

    Arthur Schneider on re-editing various series for syndication

    02:20

    Arthur Schneider on advice to an aspiring editor

    00:44

    Children's Programming

    Arthur Schneider on editing The New Mickey Mouse Club

    01:35

    Classic Anthology Series

    Arthur Schneider on working on ABC Stage 67

    06:04

    Comedy Series

    Arthur Schneider on editing for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

    10:09

    Arthur Schneider on editing Candid Camera

    01:00

    Arthur Schneider on editing Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop

    01:28

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Greatest American Hero

    00:34

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Colgate Comedy Hour

    02:28

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show and This Is Your Life

    01:56

    Arthur Schneider on editing Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater

    02:30

    Arthur Schneider on editing The Perry Como Show

    01:12

    Arthur Schneider on editing Your Show of Shows

    00:29

    Arthur Schneider on editing the Bob Hope Specials

    03:54

    Arthur Schneider on editing the Bob Hope Specials

    16:33

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Julie Andrews Show, with guest-star Gene Kelly

    03:43

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Dean Martin Show

    01:17

    Arthur Schneider on editing his final Bob Hope Special, and on those being his favorites

    04:19

    News and Documentary

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Huntley-Brinkley Report

    01:27

    Lorne Greene

    Arthur Schneider on editing Lorne Greene's American West, and on winning and being nominated for Emmy Awards

    01:23

    Bob Hope

    Art Schneider on editing the Bob Hope Specials

    03:53

    Arthur Schneider on working with Bob Hope as editor of the Bob Hope Specials

    09:03

    Gene Kelly

    Arthur Schneider on editing for The Julie Andrews Show, with guest-star Gene Kelly

    03:44

    Stanley Kubrick

    Arthur Schneider on meeting Stanley Kubrick

    01:22

    Sam Peckinpah

    Arthur Schneider on working on ABC Stage 67's production of "Noon Wine," directed by Sam Peckinpah

    03:47

    Franklin J. Schaffner

    Arthur Schneider on working on ABC Stage 67's production of "The Wide Open Door," directed by Franklin J. Shaffner

    02:16

    George Schlatter

    Arthur Schneider on editing for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, produced by George Schlatter

    10:09

    Danny Thomas

    Arthur Schneider on editing a special for Danny Thomas

    01:10

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