Nomad sign editor Jamie O’Donnell

London based Nomad are very excited about their latest signing, Jamie O’Donnell, Editor of commercials, films and music videos, wearer of trendy spectacles and all round Australian icon.

Starting his career working in hotel management before making the switch to a career as a commercials editor, it's been an interesting path for Jamie; who now finds himself with his own newly renovated suite at Nomad London’s HQ. 

We caught up with Jamie recently to see how he’s settling into life being a Nomad.

Jamie, Your career in post production started with Liv Lawton, Nomad London’s lovely MD, hiring you as a runner at another offline editing house. How does it feel to be working with Liv again, this time as an editor, and what drew you to choosing Nomad as your new home?

I’m so excited about working with Liv and everyone at Nomad. It feels like a fresh company and I’m over the moon to be joining a one-stop-shop post production house. Everything is done in house from offline to post and we can supervise sound - which I think is the future of post, the way the industry is looking forward. I feel like I’ve come full circle - starting as a runner at Peepshow, working with Liv, then running on set, before joining Cut & Run. I joined C&R as a runner and worked my way up to my role as editor and now here I am back with Liv as an editor. I couldn’t be happier!

So you’ve got a fancy new edit suite and in these strange times, you’re also working from home. How do you find that?

 I’m loving my new suite! Nomad built 2 new suites during lockdown and the entire space is great. The interior design here is amazing and I can’t wait to show people around when these strange times are over. As far as working from home, I’m well adapted to that and Nomad have a great remote work flow that allows us all to do that easily and most importantly, clients are very happy with.

Your work is stunning and features high end fashion and beauty films. Please tell us more...

I’ve been very lucky to work with directors like Vicky Lawton, Juriaan Booij, Matt Lambert and Sophie Jones all who provide me with great rushes so I can do my bit and turn it into a great story. I love fashion and beauty, I love visual work and I’m passionate about storytelling. That’s the whole reason I was determined to become a film editor.

Is there any recent work out there that you’re a big fan of?

I really loved Flatbush Zombies Afterlife by Arnaud Bresson. It is rare to watch something that stops you in your tracks. It is mesmerising to watch. You can see the time and passion that has been put into the 3D animation and VFX work without being pulled out of the fantasy. In terms of editing, the split screen Nike You Can’t Stop Us film is just brilliant.

When you’re not working through the weekend avidly, what’s your idea of the perfect Sunday?

 I love a bit of sunshine, so probably not in England! I would escape to somewhere in Europe for the weekend, find a nice beach, devour some sushi for lunch with great wine throughout the afternoon and then probably a nice early night!

I can’t blame you, that sounds blissful. Now to get a little deeper, if you could give past Jamie one piece of advice for the future Jamie, what would it be?

Have more fun and don't take life too seriously. Cask wine is not your friend.

Finally, when you’ve put that Wacom pen down after getting the thumbs-up approval once finishing a film, where’s your ideal place to go and celebrate? 

Back in the day, I was a massive fan of The Endurance pub, it was a Soho classic! These days you you would find a very happy me at a Korean barbecue. Delish!