Post-Production

Lead Editor playbook.

Owns the cut — turns footage into a finished, watchable story.

What this role owns

Director · Assistant Editor

Not your call

The director calls the final creative sign-off — you build the version they're saying yes to.

First move

Watch every take before you touch the timeline.

Titles are usually given to whoever's already doing the work — if that's you, say so.

Also in Post-Production

Owns the pipeline after the shoot — media, delivery, and making sure a project actually finishes.

Organizes and preps footage so the lead editor can just edit — the unglamorous job that makes the glamorous one possible.

Grades the picture — matches shots to each other, then gives the whole thing a deliberate look.

Builds what couldn't be shot practically — effects, composites, and fixes that make the impossible look real.

Builds titles, lower thirds, and graphics that read in two seconds and don't look like a default template.