Editor Portfolio

Collins Nguyen – Film Editor

Head of Department (HOD) – Editor

Premiere Pro timeline showing assembly and fine cut
Premiere Pro timeline: assembly → fine cut, dialogue balancing, and rhythm shaping across multi-tracks.

Creative Statement (Editor)

As editor, I transformed hours of raw footage into a cohesive, emotionally grounded narrative that balanced two contrasting spaces, the tight and emotional tension inside the car and the open calm of nature. The confined interior scenes relied on quick pacing, subtle cuts, and silences to build intimacy, while outdoor shots used longer takes and natural sound to express relief and reflection. I applied techniques such as nested sequencing, handheld stabilisation, and composited window reflections to blend both environments. Diegetic sounds like traffic, wind, and footsteps were deliberately kept to anchor realism and connect the characters’ inner worlds with their surroundings, maintaining a smooth emotional flow between isolation and openness.

Car Masking and Motion Simulation

For stationary car interior shots, I composited moving backgrounds through precise masking and applied subtle camera movement to emulate natural vehicle motion. I introduced minor handheld bumps, softened contrast transitions, and adjusted lighting with keyframes to replicate sunlight passing through.

Masked car interior scene showing simulated driving
Masked car scene with simulated motion and adjusted lighting for driving realism.
After Effects compositing and stabilisation workspace
After Effects pass: masking, reflection comps, and gentle stabilisation.

Creative Contribution

Leading the assembly and fine cut, I integrated sound design, managed continuity, and collaborated closely with the director to ensure emotional coherence across scenes and to maintain the thematic concerns of the short film. I also enhanced visual storytelling through motion adjustments in adding stabilisation. With these subtle adjustments and management, it helps to unify tone and atmosphere.

Continuity

I collaborated closely with the Script Supervisor on set to identify and log usable takes, referencing their continuity sheets and highlighted shot lists to select the strongest performances and ensure consistency across edits. This process helped streamline the assembly phase and maintain both visual and emotional continuity throughout the project. The clear communication between departments ensured that each take aligned with the director’s intent while keeping within the production’s visual rhythm.

Script Supervisor Notes for The Road Ahead
Script Supervisor notes used to track takes and confirm scene continuity during editing.