Can you walk us through a day in the life of a Freelance Editor? How does your routine shape up?

My day usually starts with looking at the brief or feedback notes and re-reading them regularly throughout the day. It’s important to ask questions and re-read notes often and early.

What initially drew you towards editing as a career, and how have your experiences shaped your approach in this ever-evolving industry?

I always knew I wanted to do something creative; I’d always taken an interest in music and film. I’d try to find out more about who had made something or how it was done. Eventually, I tried out various creative arts with friends to see which one resonated with me. By chance, I ended up on the set of a music video, and after speaking to the crew during a quiet moment, my curiosity flowed from there into a profession.

Editing job for TKMax

What editing software do you find yourself reaching for the most, and what sets it apart from others in your toolkit?

If I’m working by myself, I typically use Adobe Creative Suite, as the various apps integrate well, along with DaVinci Resolve. The AI tools in these apps also help to process and clean up audio and footage while I work on other aspects. This work is usually intended for social media, so sheer volume often ranks as highly as quality. Familiarity with these tools can mean the difference between going to sleep before midnight or well after! For projects with hundreds or thousands of hours of footage, something like Avid is useful. The asset organisation is more regimented, which you need with that much footage.

Was there a particular person or moment that inspired you to dive into the world of post-production?

See the next answer!

Did you have any mentors who played a pivotal role in your journey to becoming an Editor?

There have been many motivating and inspirational people in my career. I don’t want to single anyone out for fear of forgetting someone! One thing they all had in common was the ability to motivate people to give their best, challenge their creativity, and provide juniors with opportunities to advance their careers or knowledge. That’s not as common as you’d think in the industry!

Editing job for Cathedral City

Could you share some insight into your most recent project and what excited you about working on it?

I’ve been working on a project with my fiancée Amie (@formyinterview on TikTok, Instagram, and Glassdoor), a social media platform that provides tips and advice on job interview techniques. She has a background in recruitment, so she has plenty of expertise to share. A lot of people are struggling to find work right now, and we often get DMs saying the advice has helped them land a job, which is very motivating.

For those aspiring to become Editors, what advice would you offer to help them navigate the industry and stand out?

Take action. All of the opportunities and “luck” I’ve had come from taking action. If you already have industry connections, that’s great; if not, creating content, connecting with people with shared interests, and building professional relationships is key. That’s what networking is: finding people you want to work with, not thinking, “This person has clout, so I need them to notice me.”

If your aspirations seem too large or impossible, you simply haven’t broken them down into manageable steps. You wouldn’t try to eat an entire pizza in one bite—you’d slice it up and take bites instinctively. Treat your aspirations the same way.

Over the last few years, the industry has faced significant changes. What principles or strategies have helped you adapt during challenging times?

Just like in my previous answer, taking action is essential. Try not to dwell on setbacks or take anything personally; plan the week ahead and stick to it as much as possible.

If you could edit a film or project from any era—past, present, or future—which one would you choose, and how would you add your unique flair to it?

I’d love to work on something in the style of Who Framed Roger Rabbit—the combination of live action and animation is very intriguing to me. Maybe in the future, I’ll finish writing what I have in mind and make it!

Maintaining a balance between work and personal life can be tricky in such a demanding role. How do you manage self-care and maintain focus, especially given the long hours in front of a screen?

Regular, consistent balance can be tricky, especially in recent years given the industry’s uncertainty. My balance “scales” according to the intensity of work. If I can take regular breaks throughout the day, then great. If I’m working full-time on a hectic project while keeping up with personal projects, I’ll take some time off entirely once the biggest and/or most important job is done—enough time to recover. Without it, you’ll break. The thought, “I’ll miss out on opportunities if I stop,” is definitely there, but you have to remind yourself that you won’t be at your best without rest. Your creativity absolutely demands it.

When you’re not editing, how do you like to spend your downtime?

As an editor, so much of my time is spent cooped up in rooms that often don’t even have windows. Travel is of great importance to me!

What’s the ultimate editing project you dream of working on?

Currently, it’s the live-action/animation project that I’m writing!

Click here to see Daniel’s showreel, and please contact a member of our team if you would like to work with him.