”The Banshees of Inisherin” Editor Mikkel E.G. Nielsen on Making Films Come Full Circle

2023-02-24

Today’s guest is award winning editor, Mikkel E.G. Nielsen. Mikkel is an editor and director known for films such as Sound of Metal, Beasts of No Nation, and most recently, The Banshees of Inisherin. Mikkel shares what he appreciates most about being a film editor.In this episode, we discuss… What Mikkel appreciates the most from his time in film school in Denmark Realizing you can treat material in many different ways Remaining as objective and open as possible, especially in the initial stages of the process Loving and hon...

Today’s guest is award winning editor, Mikkel E.G. Nielsen. Mikkel is an editor and director known for films such as Sound of Metal, Beasts of No Nation, and most recently, The Banshees of Inisherin. Mikkel shares what he appreciates most about being a film editor.

In this episode, we discuss…

What Mikkel appreciates the most from his time in film school in Denmark
Realizing you can treat material in many different ways
Remaining as objective and open as possible, especially in the initial stages of the process
Loving and honoring the collaborative process of editing a film
Why “less is more” sometimes
How finding balance and simplicity lends to a more powerful film
Helping the director make the best possible version of their intention

Memorable Quotes

“Editing has always been about experimenting and trying to see if there’s new ways to do certain things and to treat material in different ways.” [5:12]
“On a first pass you never ever touch anything from the script.” [15:15]
“There are so many things that are possible with so little material.” [18:14]
“We have a tendency in editing especially, to make things complicated.” [35:17]
“The film is not my baby. I’m helping someone and I always see it like that.” [41:43]

Resources:

Aqua Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQPS5J9_GNw

Walter Murch https://nofilmschool.com/podcast-legendary-walter-murch-editing

Alison O’Daniel and the Tuba Thieves https://nofilmschool.com/the-tuba-thieves

2023 Sundance Post Round Table https://nofilmschool.com/editors-and-post-sound-have-crush-each-others-work

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