Sips and Clips

Lian McFalls and Michael Shusterman
  • 5.0 (11)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Lian and Michael, two assistant editors living in Hollywood, chat with industry professionals about what its like living and working in the world of professional editing.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 39 - Between Paychecks and Projects

    Today it’s just us! No guest, no glamour, just an honest conversation about unemployment in the film and TV industry. We break down what life actually looks like between jobs, from the anxiety of waiting for the next call to the practical realities of money, unemployment benefits, healthcare, networking, and staying sane when the days suddenly feel endless. We talk about budgeting, cutting back, taking side jobs, dealing with gaps in work, and why unemployment is not a personal failure, it’s part of the job. Whether you’re a post PA, assistant editor, editor, or anyone navigating project-based work, this episode is about normalizing the downtime, sharing what’s helped us survive it, and reminding you that you’re not alone when the work goes quiet. If you’ve ever asked yourself “what should I be doing right now?” this one’s for you.

    1h 8m

  2. JAN 20

    Ep. 38 - The Movie Money Episode! (Feat. Matt McCaron)

    On this episode of Sips and Clips, we’re doing something a little different. No film talk, no cutting stories, no workflow debates. Just hard, cold financial planning for freelancers and creative professionals. We’re joined by actuary and personal finance enthusiast Matt McCarron, who breaks down the fundamentals of financial health in a way that’s actually understandable. We cover why your credit score really matters, how credit cards can help you and hurt you, and why budgeting works best when you treat it like a game. We dig into emergency funds, high yield savings accounts, retirement options freelancers actually have access to, and how to plan for the feast or famine cycles that come with contract work. We also unpack long term thinking, including IRAs, market investing, and how starting early can make an enormous difference. We talk about lesser discussed tools like HSAs and how they can quietly become one of the most powerful wealth building accounts available to freelancers. Along the way, we explore balancing career investments with financial security, planning for unemployment, and making spending decisions without constant anxiety. It’s not the most glamorous Hollywood conversation we’ve ever had, but it might be one of the most important. Your future self will thank you.

    1h 25m

  3. JAN 5

    Ep. 37 - BuzzFeed to the Big Leagues (Feat. Amelia Allwarden)

    This week on Sips and Clips, Michael and Lian sit down with television editor Amelia Allwarden, ACE, a New Hampshire native whose credits include Westworld, Dune: Prophecy, PEN15, and Little Fires Everywhere. Amelia shares how an unexpected DVD bonus feature first sparked her love of editing, how the ACE internship became her guiding star in college, and how a millennial dream of working at BuzzFeed evolved into a career in television. We also dig into the importance of having advocates and paying it forward, the value of friendship and editorial community, and what it takes to navigate the world of agencies. Finally, Amelia opens up about making the leap from assistant to editor, and how joining ACE marked the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, including the full circle feeling of returning to ACE a decade after the internship.

    1h 7m

  4. 12/08/2025

    Ep. 36 - From Farm Animals to Sundance Scares (Feat. Brett Bachmann)

    On this episode of Sips and Clips, Michael is off this week so Zach Griffin is filling in to co-host with Lian as they sit down with Brett W. Bachman, ACE, an accomplished indie film editor whose wild journey took him from making farm animal montages on Windows Movie Maker in rural Washington to cutting genre-defining films at Sundance. Brett gets real about his unconventional path through AFI, grinding it out in the non-union indie world with Specter Vision, and how his breakthrough film Mandy became a watershed moment that finally got the agents calling. He breaks down the emotional craft of building scares, reveals the wisdom in reading screenwriting books, and shares how he went from editing in his apartment for years to landing his first studio gig. Brett drops serious wisdom about work-life balance while raising twin toddlers, the power of cold emails and coffee meetings for career growth, and why collaboration beats antagonism every single time. We also mention an unhinged love of popcorn and potatoes, and why professional camaraderie matters now more than ever. This one's packed with career gold and Hollywood optimism!

    1h 6m

  5. 11/24/2025

    Ep. 35 - Six Strings to Sound Design (Feat. Brandon Jones)

    From classical guitar prodigy to Hollywood sound designer, Brandon Jones has built a career by following the frequencies. Starting as student number one in Pepperdine's classical guitar program, Brandon's path took an unexpected turn through UCLA student films, sound restoration for Hollywood classics, and eventually into the world of blockbuster sound design. In this episode, Brandon breaks down his early breakthrough on The Gallows, the fundamentals of great sound editing, and the intricate hierarchy of the sound department. We dive deep into the art and craft behind his work on Detective Pikachu, A Quiet Place, 13 Hours, and The Lego Movie 2, exploring how sound shapes emotion and how collaboration makes everything better. We also get into spirited debates about where dialogue levels really should sit, the eternal VFX versus sound battle, and the philosophical nature of Chicago deep dish pizza. Plus, we explore how Brandon went from restoring classic film soundtracks to designing sonic worlds for modern blockbusters, and why being adaptable is everything in post-production.

    1h 14m

  6. 11/11/2025

    Ep. 34 - Step into the Edit Ring

    This week on Sips and Clips, Michael and Lian return to the basement studio for a head to head battle of pure assistant editor energy. After months of asking guests about their workflows, they finally turn the questions on each other. The result is a lively back and forth packed with Avid shortcuts, practical tips, and war stories from the cutting room. From custom timeline presets to Keyboard Maestro magic, from subclip strategies to color coding philosophies, Michael and Lian break down the habits that make their day to day work faster, cleaner, and less chaotic. They compare editing styles, swap discoveries picked up on set, and talk through the quirks that make perfect sense only to people who live inside an NLE for a living. Whether you are an AE looking to level up or an editor who loves a peek behind the curtain, this episode is a deep dive into the small details that keep big shows running. Grab a chai, settle in, and enjoy the fight.

    1h 6m

  7. 10/27/2025

    Ep. 33 - How to Save a Star Wars Character (Feat. Marty Kloner)

    This week on Sips and Clips, Michael and Lian take the show on the road to chat with veteran VFX editor Marty Kloner, whose career spans from hauling a flatbed across the country to working on Star Wars and The Batman. Marty shares how a chance internship on a Prince film turned into a union card, how a self-taught FileMaker database launched his VFX career in Vertical Limit, and how one quick Avid comp saved a star wars character's life in The Rise of Skywalker. Marty reflects on the evolution of visual-effects editorial, building smarter workflows, mentoring the next generation, and keeping family life intact while chasing magic across New Zealand, Ireland, and Cape Town.

    1h 9m

  8. 10/14/2025

    Ep. 32 - The Man Behind the Purple Avatar (Feat. Corey Frost)

    This week on Sips and Clips, Michael and Lian go behind the purple avatar that has become a fixture in the post community. Corey Frost, known for his generous Avid tips, massive resource guide, and thoughtful perspective on editing, shares the story behind the persona. Corey talks about growing up in Florida, getting his start at NFL Films and NASCAR, and finding success in long form docs and scripted work while living far from Hollywood in Charlotte, North Carolina. He opens up about building community online, learning the craft on his own terms, and raising a family while chasing creative dreams.

    1h 8m
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Lian and Michael, two assistant editors living in Hollywood, chat with industry professionals about what its like living and working in the world of professional editing.

Information

  • Creator
    Lian McFalls and Michael Shusterman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit

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