Hammad Hassan holds an MFA in film editing from the American Film Institute (AFI) and is a distinguished professional in post-production within the Hollywood Film Industry. With roles as a Film Editor, Assistant Film Editor, and Post-Production Supervisor, he has contributed his expertise to diverse film projects for renowned production houses like Netflix, Paramount, CBS, FX, and Showtime. His portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from network documentary feature films and docu-series to network scripted TV shows and narrative features.
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Hosted by Chris Schwartz and Rene Salinas
Produced by Creativity Lives Here
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All Clips from episode:
The George Clooney story Clip 01
Should I go to film school Clip 02
How do you approach mental health as an editor Clip 03
What has been most helpful to find work as an editor Clip 04
Indie rate for a film or documentary editor Clip 05
These are the type of shows I'm working on now after film school Clip 06
Has working in unscripted made you a faster narrative editor Clip 07
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Key questions from episode:
Q: How did Hammad Hassan transition from a film and new media studies graduate to attending film school at AFI?
A: Frustrated with the slow progress in his career, Hammad decided to pursue film school to build a network and enhance his skills. AFI was chosen over NYU, and the decision to move to Los Angeles for film school was made swiftly.
Q: What challenges did Hammad face during his time at AFI?
A: AFI presented challenges and learning curves, notably in handling criticism during the Narrative Workshop class. Hammad reflects on these experiences as part of the growth process in his filmmaking journey.
Q: How did Hammad secure his first job at Boardwalk Pictures, and what role did language proficiency play?
A: Proficiency in Hindi and Bengali played a crucial role in landing Hammad's first job at Boardwalk Pictures, a documentary production company. This opportunity opened doors to more work and connections, initiating a balancing act between documentary projects and completing the AFI thesis.
Q: What insights does Hammad share about working as an assistant editor, particularly in documentary projects?
A: Hammad highlights the perks of working on nonunion documentaries, including on-site benefits like free lunches. He delves into the skills required for assistant editing, emphasizing narrative skills' importance in both documentary and narrative storytelling.
Q: How does Hammad manage the challenges of balancing job commitments with completing his education?
A: Hammad discusses the transition to working towards union hours in the film industry and the delicate balance between job commitments and finishing his education.
Q: What are the differences between assistant editing and lead editing roles, according to Hammad's experience?
A: Hammad sheds light on the responsibilities and creative aspects of both assistant editing and lead editing roles, providing valuable insights into the dynamic nature of post-production work.
Q: How does Hammad address mental health concerns in the film editing profession?
A: Hammad shares personal experiences and strategies for avoiding burnout, emphasizing the industry's changing landscape where producers are increasingly considerate of mental health concerns.
Q: Can film school education be considered valuable in the industry, according to Hammad?
A: Hammad acknowledges film school's value, especially for those lacking industry connections, providing structure, guidance, and networking opportunities. However, the decision to attend film school is subjective and depends on individual circumstances.
Q: What memorable encounter did Hammad have with George Clooney during a film screening event?
A: Hammad shares a unique and spontaneous moment when George Clooney unexpectedly joined a film screening event, adding an element of surprise to the usual proceedings in the film school screening room.
