Editor Sandra Adair, ACE and assistant editor Carissa Bronson

HIT MAN editor Sandra Adair, ACE is no stranger to working with writer/director Richard Linklater.  The two first collaborated on Linklater's debut studio feature, DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993).  Over the next thirty years they would go on to make the "Before" trilogy - BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), BEFORE SUNSET (2004), BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013), as well as the over-a-decade-in-the-making BOYHOOD (2014), for which Sandra would receive an Oscar® nomination for Best Film Editing.  Someone else Sandra has had by her side in the cutting for several years is assistant editor Carissa Bronson, who first worked with Sandra on her documentary, THE SECRET LIFE OF LANCE LETSCHER (2017).

The somewhat true story of HIT MAN tells the tale of Gary Johnson, who is a professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of New Orleans, while also working undercover with the New Orleans Police Department to assist in undercover sting operations. When Jasper, a fellow cop who portrays fake hitmen to solicit murder-for-hire confessions and payments from “customers,” is suspended, Gary is unwillingly ushered into the role. Gary quickly finds himself to be a natural in garnering solicitations, going so far as to research suspects in advance and tailor a unique persona for each one.  Things take a big turn for Gary when he meets Madison, a beautiful woman who tries to contract "Ron" (Gary) to kill her abusive husband.

SANDRA ADAIR, ACE

Sandra Adair is known for her work on BOYHOOD (2014), BERNIE (2012), SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003), and the cult classic DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993). Adair is also known for her work on the critically acclaimed 'Before' trilogy, BEFORE SUNRISE (1995), BEFORE SUNSET (2004) and BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013).  Adair made her directorial debut with the feature documentary, THE SECRET LIFE OF LANCE LETSCHER (2017).

CARISSA BRONSON

In addition to HIT MAN, Carissa Bronson is known for films such as LAST FLAG FLYING (2017) and WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE (2019).

Editing HIT MAN

In our discussion with the HIT MAN editing team of Sandra Adair and Carissa Bronson, we talk about:

• Lecturing Glen Powell
• Charting a course for success in the cutting room
• New Orleans needle drops
• Hit men vs assassins
• Editing away from L.A.

The Credits

Visit ExtremeMusic for all your production audio needs

See what's new with Avid Media Composer

Subscribe to The Rough Cut for more great interviews with the heroes of the editing room

Explore The Rough Cut on YouTube