Kirstin Small: I helped a filmmaker friend as an unpaid assistant editor with the mutual understanding I'd get to practice cutting scenes for my own growth. But she later asked me to delete everything and questioned my trustworthiness. How do I clear the air without burning bridges?

• Give her exactly what she asked for and confirm that the footage is deleted. Don’t apologize or over-explain yourself.
• Ask yourself honestly: Is this someone you want to work with again, given how she handled this?
• Consider this a free and valuable lesson in navigating fragile egos and protecting your own boundaries in creative relationships.

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