The Rough Cut cover art

The Rough Cut

The Rough Cut

Written by: Matt Feury
Listen for free

About this listen

The Rough Cut features in-depth interviews with the film and tv industry's top post production professionals on the topics of film editing, video editing, sound design and more. Hosted by @MattFeury.© 2026 - The Rough Cut Studios Art
Episodes
  • Wonder Man
    Apr 20 2026
    Editor - Nena Erb ACE and Asst. Editor Gioia Caruso

    Wonder Man editor Nena Erb and her assistant Gioia Caruso first worked together on the R-rated road trip comedy, Joy Ride. A film that could not be more different than the grounded, character driven tv series, Wonder Man. Making the dramatic jump in tone and style from Joy Ride to Wonder Man might have been a daunting task for other editorial duos, but Nena's skills as a "digital quilter" and Gioia's talents as "keeper of the footage" helped them rise to the challenge.

    In the Marvel Spotlight series Wonder Man, superpowered individuals are banned from working in Hollywood by something known as the Doorman Clause. This is a challenge faced by struggling actor Simon Williams, who secretly has such powers. While out on auditions, Simon forms an unlikely friendship with fellow actor, Trevor Slattery. Together the pair attempt to land roles in a remake of the in-universe superhero film "Wonder Man".

    NENA ERB ACE

    Nena Erb ACE is an Emmy-winning film and television editor whose career reflects a steady climb to some of today's most high-profile projects. She began her journey in the industry as a production assistant in the art department on MADtv. From there, Nena transitioned into editorial, building a reputation through her work on acclaimed series such as Insecure, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Little America. For each, her sharp comedic timing and character-driven sensibilities became defining strengths. Nena's work on Insecure earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020, cementing her status as one of the most respected editors working in television today. Her transition into feature filmmaking further expanded her range, with credits including the 2023 film Joy Ride.

    GIOIA CARUSO

    In addition to her work with Nena on Joy Ride and Wonder Man, Gioia has assisted on such projects as Scream VI, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chicago Fire and Mr. Mercedes.



    Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs

    Hear Nena talk about her work on Insecure and Joy Ride

    Check out what's new with Avid Media Composer

    Leave your comments on The Rough Cut website

    Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode

    Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Project Hail Mary
    Apr 6 2026
    Editor - Joel Negron ACE, Sound Designers - Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn

    Project Hail Mary editor Joel Negron says that one of the first calls that he makes when he signs on to a new film is to his trusted colleagues in audio post, Erik and Ethan. And for more than fifteen years the trio has collaborated on a wide variety of films, including the Transformers franchise, Jungle Cruise and Cocaine Bear. But their latest film with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller would prove to be one of their greatest challenges, but also one of their biggest hits!

    Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is a high-stakes sci-fi thriller centered on Ryland Grace, a scientist who wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He soon discovers he is humanity's sole hope for survival, tasked with solving a cosmic mystery to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. As his memories slowly return, Grace must utilize his scientific ingenuity and form an unlikely alliance in the vast loneliness of deep space to complete his desperate mission.

    JOEL NEGRON, ACE

    Joel Negron is a highly accomplished film editor known for his versatile work across high-octane action blockbusters and visually inventive features. He has a long-standing reputation for managing large-scale productions, with notable credits including Thor: Ragnarok, The Nice Guys, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Negron's ability to balance complex visual effects with rhythmic storytelling has made him a frequent collaborator for top-tier directors, consistently delivering polished, high-energy cinematic experiences.

    ERIK AADAHL

    Erik Aadahl is a premier sound designer and supervising sound editor whose innovative approach to sonic world-building has earned him multiple Academy Award nominations. He is perhaps best known for creating the distinct mechanical "voices" of the Transformers franchise and for his evocative work on films like Argo, A Quiet Place, and Godzilla. Aadahl's philosophy centers on using sound as a narrative tool to evoke emotion and tension, often blending organic and synthetic textures to create immersive, award-winning soundscapes.

    ETHAN VAN DER RYN

    Ethan Van der Ryn is a titan in the world of sound design, boasting two Academy Awards for his contributions to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and King Kong. Throughout his prolific career, he has played a pivotal role in defining the auditory identity of major cinematic universes, frequently partnering with Erik Aadahl through their post-production house, E² Sound. From the roaring intensity of Godzilla to the intricate details of the Kung Fu Panda series, Van der Ryn is celebrated for his technical mastery and his ability to elevate storytelling through sophisticated sound editorial.



    Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs

    Check out what's new with Avid Media Composer

    Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode

    Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
    Mar 23 2026
    Editor - Tim Squyres, ACE

    Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice editor Tim Squyres has over three decades of experience working with directors such as Ang Lee, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme. But his latest film marks the first time collaborating with writer/director BenDavid Grabinski. Together the two navigated the tonal minefield of blending action, comedy, romance and a little time travel, to deliver a raucous romp that spans multiple years in one night.

    Set in a highly-stylized criminal underworld, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice follows two (or three) gangsters and the woman they love trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives, one in which a time machine is involved.

    TIM SQUYRES ACE

    Acclaimed film editor Tim Squyres is best known for his long-standing collaboration with director Ang Lee. A graduate of Cornell University, Squyres began his career in the late 1980s and quickly distinguished himself as a precise and emotionally intuitive storyteller. His early work with Lee on The Wedding Banquet (1993) marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would span decades and include films such as Sense and Sensibility, Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon, Hulk, and Life of Pi. Across these projects, Squyres developed a reputation for crafting nuanced performances and guiding complex narratives with clarity, rhythm, and restraint.

    In addition to his work with Lee, Squyres has also collaborated with a range of influential filmmakers, including Robert Altman on Gosford Park and Jonathan Demme on Rachel Getting Married. His versatility across genres—from ensemble dramas to intimate character studies—has earned him multiple Academy Award and American Cinema Editor nominations.



    Visit Extreme Music for the new Extreme Music extension for Avid Media Composer

    Hear Tim talk about Ang Lee's Gemini Man

    See which Avid Media Composer is right for you

    Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode

    Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
No reviews yet