About
"An editor puts all the pieces together in a nice fashion. The first cut is technically his. You used to be able to hold off directors at the door saying 'back off.' But now the directors can't wait until they get into the cutting room. But I still want my two weeks."
In his nearly three-hour interview, editor Paul LaMastra describes his early life and education and his stint living in Japan. He recalls working in the sound effects department at Paramount, which led to an apprenticeship on the comedy series Hogan's Heroes. He speaks of a very short stint editing the series Eight is Enough, and talks of editing many classic made-for-television movies, including Wallenberg: A Hero's Story, Eleanor and Franklin, Attica, and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. LaMastra recalls editing the made-for-television movie Foxfire at the same time he found out he was HIV-positive, and shares how that diagnosis impacted his life and career. He details some of the technical aspects of editing, outlines how the profession has changed since he started, and talks about his involvement in American Cinema Editors (ACE). He concludes by talking about his wish to be a director and offers advice to aspiring television editors. Karen Herman conducted the interview in a joint venture with ACE on February 26, 2010 at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA.
Highlights
Paul LaMastra on apprenticing as an editor on Hogan's Heroes and various other projects
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Eleanor and Franklin
Paul LaMastra on editing Eight is Enough
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on being attracted to film at a young age
On his education and early work experience; on living in Japan; on meeting Gene Kelly
On working in the sound effects department at Paramount; on apprenticing as an editor for Hogan's Heroes
On network notes and editing bad projects; on editing the made-for-television movie Unnatural Causes; on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Chapter 2
On working with director Lamont Johnson; on editing Wallenberg: A Hero's Story; on editing Love Is Never Silent
On editing Eleanor and Franklin; on editing Backstairs at the White House; on editing Eight is Enough
On editing Attica; on editing the made-for-television movie Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
On editing Foxfire; on living with HIV
Chapter 3
On editing Foxfire; on editing Heaven & Hell: North & South Book III; on editing the made-for-television movies The Killing Yard and The Last Best Year
On his then-current life; on wanting to be a director; on how technology has changed editing
On the made-for-television movie Queen; on his involvement in A.C.E.; on advice to aspiring editors
On what an editor does; on his Archive of American Television interview
Shows
Backstairs at the White House
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Backstairs at the White House
Eight Is Enough
Paul LaMastra on editing Eight is Enough
Eleanor and Franklin
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Eleanor and Franklin
Foxfire
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Foxfire and living with HIV
Paul LaMastra on editing Foxfire
Hogan's Heroes
Paul LaMastra on apprenticing as an editor on Hogan's Heroes and various other projects
Love Is Never Silent
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movies Ruby Bridges and Love Is Never Silent
North and South
Paul LaMastra on editing Heaven & Hell: North & South Book III
Ruby Bridges
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movies Ruby Bridges and Love Is Never Silent
Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Topics
Advice
Paul LaMastra on advice to someone starting out in the television editing field
Historic Events and Social Change
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Foxfire and living with HIV
LGBTQIA+
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Foxfire and living with HIV
Representation on Television
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Foxfire and living with HIV
Technological Innovation
Paul LaMastra on how the technology and approach to editing has changed since he started
Television Industry
Paul LaMastra on advice to someone starting out in the television editing field
Professions
Editor
Paul LaMastra on what an editor does
Paul LaMastra on advice to someone starting out in the television editing field
Post-Production Professionals
Paul LaMastra on what an editor does
Paul LaMastra on advice to someone starting out in the television editing field
Genres
Comedy Series
Paul LaMastra on apprenticing as an editor on Hogan's Heroes and various other projects
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Eleanor and Franklin
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
People
Lamont Johnson
Paul LaMastra on working with director Lamont Johnson
Paul LaMastra on editing the made-for-television movie Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
Gene Kelly
Paul LaMastra on returning to the United States after living in Japan and meeting Gene Kelly