As a kid, Tom Eagles didn’t have a television, but he loved going to the movies. As he entered the business, he started cutting trailers and promos. As an Editor, he learned that he could shape stories in a creative manner. While cutting drama for television, Eagles eventually met writer-director Taika Waititi.

The duo worked together on ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ in 2014, followed by ‘Hunt for Wilderpeople,’ and now ‘Jojo Rabbit.’ In the latest film, “A young boy in Hitler's army finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.”

In this interview, Eagles talks about the editor-director relationship, how to edit improvised films like ‘What We Do in the Shadows,’ the New Zealand method of pacing comedy, how the films are connected thematically, and how to avoid second guessing creative impulses and be open to all ideas.

To hear more about ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ listen to Episode 178, where we speak with author Christine Leunens, and if you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new video essay YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5