Interview with Sean Linal, the Editor
Sean Linal, a born and raised New Yorker from Far Rockaway, Queens, has made a name for himself in the bustling world of film and television. His career trajectory, marked by hard work and dedication, has seen him rise from internships at Women Makes Movies and The Chris Rock Show to working as a reality TV stringout editor and promo editor for MTV and Ryan Seacrest.
After graduating from the School of Visual Arts (SVA), Linal's first paid job was working for MTV as a P.A. on set. Today, he edits primarily in Avid Media Composer for major projects and Adobe Premiere Pro for indies. His work is characterized by a unique blend of cinematic storytelling and striking visuals, often with socially impactful themes.
Linal's work spans across documentaries, music videos, and commercial projects. Some of his notable projects include his work as a picture editor for Ava DuVernay on Queen Sugar and Lena Waithe on The Chi. Linal is particularly proud of his work on Queen Sugar, having been bumped up from assistant editor to editor.
Linal's artistic inspiration comes from a diverse range of sources, including classic Hollywood films from the early to mid-1900s, Maverick films from the 1970s, TV series from the 1960s through today, foreign films, and more. When it comes to unwinding and beating creative burnout, Linal enjoys listening to music on vinyl records or binge-watching films and TV with his wife, Denelle.
In pre-production for big projects, Linal values thorough research. When it comes to snacking during long sessions, Linal's favorite is mixed nuts. As for his career aspirations, Linal would love to collaborate with a diverse range of industry giants, including Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Kathryn Bigelow, Gina-Prince Blythewood, Michael Mann, and The Hughes Brothers, among others.
Looking back on his career, Linal shares some advice for his younger self. He advises attending a community college with a great film program for financial reasons, moving to Los Angeles immediately after school, volunteering more, networking harder, and making meaningful friendships within the film and TV community.
Despite the limited publicly accessible information about Linal's full career trajectory and list of notable film or television projects, his impact on the industry is undeniable. For comprehensive information on Sean Linal’s career and projects, consulting industry databases like IMDb, professional profiles, or direct sources might be necessary.
Technology plays a crucial role in Sean Linal's work, as he primarily edits using Avid Media Composer for major projects and Adobe Premiere Pro for indies. Besides gadgets like his Avid Media Composer, Linal finds inspiration from diverse sources, including classic films, TV series, foreign films, and even unwinding with music on vinyl records.
