Evan Schrodek
Evan Schrodek is a Los Angeles-based TV, film and documentary editor best known for his work on the zombie-apocalypse smash hit The Walking Dead. After assisting on season four he moved up to editor on season five and continued cutting for seasons six, eight and nine. He also recently edited the thriller series Panic and he’s soon to be known even more for his work on the upcoming Resident Evil series on Netflix.
I’ve been really looking forward to speaking with Evan for a while now because cutting a horror show feels so foreign to me, but also really enticing. I’ll admit, Horror is not necessarily my favorite genre, I’m not typically a fan of being scared or the creeping, lingering effects a really haunting movie can leave me feeling. But some things rise above genre and The Walking Dead is just such a fun show, even when it’s intense. It was a real pleasure getting to hear Evan’s unique perspective cutting some iconic scenes from the show. As I mentioned at the top he’s just finished cutting the new Resident Evil series for Netflix and though he couldnt say much about it here, I will definitely be watching that one from behind my tightly closed fingers.
Episode Notes:
****(Before you scroll down you should know there are spoilers in the video references, just wanted to tell you that here because like what’s the points of saying spoiler alert right when you can see the video title, you know?)***
The Walking Dead is a post-apocalyptic television series based on the comic book series of the same name. It’s just completed the first half of the 11th season, with the second half set to begin in 2022. It’s also had multiple spin-offs with Fear The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. I don’t think you need to have seen the show to listen to this episode however there is a major spoiler after about 45 minutes in so do tread lightly.
In the Blink of An Eye is the famous editing book by editor and sound designer & mixer, Walter Murch, who cut and mixed Apocalypse Now plus The Conversation and The English Patient. I’m pretty sure we got into it in the first episode of Cutting Class with Colby Parker Jr but just bringing it up again.
Stan Brakhage was a legendary experimental filmmaker best known for applying materials directly to his negatives to create vivid abstractions when projected, like painting directly on the negative or using moth wings, flowers and blades of grass like in his piece Mothlight. He’s someone you learn about pretty early on in film and art school and if you haven’t seen any of his work I really suggest you do because it’s beautiful.
Robert Etoll is a sound designer who has either made sounds for or his catalog of sounds have been used in basically every movie and show since the late 90s. Those creepy stingers and risers that are in basically every trailer (like zzzhhhhhhh) are probably from him.
https://www.robertetoll.com
Hereditary is the 2018 breakout horror film from Ari Aster that almost instantly became canon for all horror fans and if you disagree you’re wrong. There’s little I can say about it other than it’s incredible so just go watch it.
So I can’t really post a ton of the Walking Dead here in its original form, but there are some clips online that give a glimpse into the episodes and editing style. Check em out below
Evan’s first full episode to himself held a pivotal scene, and one that was done with care. A send-off for a major character is always a big deal and I’m positive it was a hefty weight to carry.
A great scene from season 6
Here’s that great scene Evan mentions with the Glenn death fake out that got all the fans freaked out
A trailer not cut by Evan but thought I’d put this here as a reminder for you to check out some more of his great work
