Sean Linal Interviews Artists as Editor
In the vibrant world of film and video editing, Sean Linal has made a name for himself as a talented and dedicated professional. Born in a small town in Queens, New York City, Linal's journey in the industry began with internships at Women Makes Movies and The Chris Rock Show. His first paid job was working for MTV as a P.A. on set.
Linal's career took a significant leap when he was bumped up from assistant editor to editor on the critically acclaimed series, Queen Sugar. This opportunity, under the guidance of Ava DuVernay, marked a pivotal moment in his career. Linal has also worked as a picture editor for DuVernay on Queen Sugar and Lena Waithe on The Chi.
Linal's work ethic and passion for his craft have not gone unnoticed. He is currently a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee of IATSE Local 700, the Motion Picture Editors Guild, demonstrating his active role in the professional editing community.
When it comes to his tools of the trade, Linal is proficient in using industry-standard editing software such as Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro. He also utilises visual effects plugins like Continuum, Sapphire, and Boris FX, which are standard in high-end post-production workflows. Linal has used Continuum plugins for tasks like blurring sensitive materials and creating layered text messages, and Sapphire for tasks like blurs and transitions.
Linal's favourite snack during long sessions is mixed nuts, and he unwinds by listening to music on vinyl records or binge-watching films and TV with his wife, Denelle. Research is crucial for Linal during pre-production, as he speaks with showrunners and writers to understand character arcs and storylines.
Among his favourite films and TV series are Queen Sugar, Do The Right Thing, The City of Lost Children, I Am Not Your Negro, When They See Us, Freedom Road, Real Women Have Curves, Moonlighting, Twin Peaks, Queen Charlotte, I Like It Like That, 13th, David Makes Man, The Richard Pryor Show, Beef, and more.
Linal's career advice to his younger self is to find a community college with a great film program for financial reasons, move to Los Angeles immediately after school as most of the work is there, volunteer more, network harder, and make meaningful friendships within the film and TV community. Linal is most proud of working on Ava DuVernay's Queen Sugar as an editor.
While specific details about Linal's broader career path and notable projects using Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Continuum, Sapphire, and Boris FX tools are limited in the available data, his active role in the editing community and his work on Queen Sugar suggest a promising future in the industry.
Linal's dedication extends beyond film and video editing to technology, actively participating in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee of IATSE Local 700. His proficiency in industry-standard software like Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and visual effects plugins such as Continuum, Sapphire, and Boris FX demonstrates his commitment to staying current with entertainment technology. In his free time, Linal enjoys movies-and-tv, often binge-watching series like Queen Sugar, Do The Right Thing, and more, further showcasing his passion for the entertainment industry.
