"Rat Race" (2021)
Director: STEPHANIE SPARKS
Cinematography: EYTHAN MAIDOF
Editing: GREG SUCHAREW
Starring: DANIELLA DE JESUS
Project Overview
In late 2018 into early to mid 2019, I was brought on to re-edit a short film titled, "Rat Race" (2021). The director, Stephanie Sparks wanted to bring the film in a different direction. I was given wide latitude and set about editing the film from scratch.
While editing I always focus on the narrative and what had to happen push the scene forward, but secondarily, I focus on elevating the mood of the performance. What the feelings the actors were conveying served as the basis of my editing style in the scene. If the actor was tense, my edits were slightly faster; if she was relaxed, unsure about something, or not in danger (in her mind), my edits were a but slower. Some scenes in the film.
Some scenes in the film relied almost entirely on the editing to drive the story forward, such as the dream sequence, which was written almost as a music video. I used visual effects I created to add to the sense of fantasy the director wanted to convey.
A big challenge on this project was the sound design. Many scenes take place in a hospital setting and I wanted it to sound real. To that end I not only added sound effects, and ambient tracks, but I also had a voice over artist record the background intercom one would normally hear in a hospital. Everything was to add to the anxiety on the main character and the tension of the scenes.
Everything done in the edit room is intentional. Every edit, every effect, the color, the graphics. It all has to add to the of the narrative and the director's vision, if it doesn't, it is useless.
I created the opening and closing title sequences, and color-graded the film as well.