Benjamin Shearn
Benjamin Shearn
Video Editor
Highland Park, Los Angeles, California
www.filmbybenjaminshearn.com
instagram: @actorsupset
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a freelance video editor with extensive experience in narrative, documentary, branded and social content.”
I take your material, and find the perfect sculpture in the block of marble, so to speak.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My background is in music video and documentary, my early work gained exposure with premieres on Pitchfork, Gorilla vs. Bear, Stereogum, FACT, and Tiny Mix Tapes. In 2013, I directed and edited a feature music documentary, titled SILK, which premiered at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen and numerous film festivals around the world. From that work, I have been offered opportunities in narrative features and shorts (which have played at Cannes, BFI London, Fantastic Fest and ComicCon) documentary and branded media, clients include BuzzFeed, Marvel, Bank of America to name a few.
How do you stand out in your field?
I have a unique swath of experience across a number of mediums, genres and work environments. Whereas most editors' experience is focused in one area, I've worked in both narrative cinema, documentary as well as high-end commercial content.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Currently, a feature I co-wrote and edited, LADYWORLD, has finished its festival run and will be distributed in theaters in fall 2019. The film is a surreal thriller in which eight teenage girls become trapped in an endless birthday party after a massive (imaginary?) earthquake. The girls' sanity and psyches dissolve as they run out of food and water. Eventually, they regress to their baser instincts, exploiting each other's fears and insecurities.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
LADYWORLD and, in general my work with filmmaker Amanda Kramer, is most representative of my taste and style. I strive to create work that brings a distinct, bold voice to recognizable forms and narratives. Stanley Kubrick, Peter Greenaway, Lynne Ramsey, Jonathan Glazer, Kenneth Anger... THIS is the type of work I gravitate toward.
WE ALL HAVE MULTIPLE SKILLS OR WORK IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD FOCUS ON MORE?
I adore editing, and feel it is very much my calling. I want to work more in the cross-section of video and fine art, which can express itself in gallery work, music videos, commercials and fashion.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
The atmosphere and attitude toward freelance editors in L.A. right now has become slightly fraught. With user-friendly software like Premiere Pro, content creators are editing their own work more and more without the background or technical expertise to execute at a professional level. This has cheapened editing as a skill, and rates have plummeted. Career editors like myself come with the added value of being able to raise the production value overall. You want your film to look like Blade Runner, you must hire a top cinematographer AND a top editor. Anything less won't take your content to the next level.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would definitely hire them as an Assistant Editor and Media Manager!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
If I could give my younger advice it would be to NOT devalue myself because I wan't a job. I am worth a certain rate and should always ask for it!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would love to pick the brains of editors who have worked on special effects-heavy projects, to really deeply understand the workflow on those massive undertakings.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Video editing for Branded, Social, Music Videos, Fashion Films and Installation pieces.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
The ideal client is reasonably-funded, has a steady stream of interesting content and editing needs, and sees the editor as an artistic collaborator.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My current rate is $500/day, however I am always willing to work within budgets on a project-by-project basis. IE sometimes I will accept flat fees.
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
Adrienne Gruben, VP Marketing at Paramount Pictures
Hilary Kempers, AV Producer Netflix
Leah Zeis, Post Supervisor BuzzFeed
Alex Pelly, Director, Editor
Amanda Kramer, Director
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email with a description, post budget and timeline :-)
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!
This member profile was originally published in March 2019.