Rob Hall (Editing)
What training have you received?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton and a Filmmaking Diploma from the London Film Academy. I’ve done a few other short courses in filmmaking but the best training I’ve had was on the job as assistant editor to Eddie Hamilton.
What kind of projects attract you?
Anything with guts—either projects that try to push for the maximum production value or projects that are trying to express an important social or political message. Filmmakers need to have a passion for their project, what they want to say and how they want to say it.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given as an editor?
The two best pieces of advice I’ve been given are more “things to keep in mind” than “things to do”—one was “editing comes down to putting the best bits in the right order”—not a very articulate phrase but one that can sometimes help you step back a little when you’re too involved with an editing problem—and the other was “it doesn’t matter how well you’re prepared, it’ll always be a kick-bollock-scramble at the last minute!”
Most significant moment in your career so far?
Recently completing the final sound mix of the action-thriller THE TOURNAMENT—my first feature with a commercial release as editor. It was a long editing process and very satisfying to get an end result that everyone seems genuinely really pleased with.
You’ll die happy when…
I get a call from Oliver Stone begging me to edit a JAWS remake starring Jim Carrey… In all seriousness though, regular work on quality productions will keep me very happy and anything over and above is a bonus.
www.robhallediting.com
www.londonfilmacademy.com ■
