Peer Review: Hasani Franke

Please share 3-4 pieces of work that you think best embody excellence in your profession, and explain why?

This is so tough to answer for editing because we are the landing spot for the creativity and efforts of so many people that touched a project before we see any footage and go to work. If you think about it, it’s a lot of pressure not to let all those people down. But that is also why I do it. To take all these different elements of storytelling and simply tell the story with my own point of view and creativity.

I think where editing shows itself in the best way is when it doesn’t show itself at all, but rather makes you feel an emotion. The film Warrior I adore because the balance of pace and the expression of story is so incredibly spot on. Something that can only be done in the cutting room. To take a film about a sport so violent and handle it with such delicacy so that the characters relationships and deep intentions come through in such a way that by the end it hits you in the gut with such force that everyone in the room is in tears. For me, it’s just brilliant. 

The most important part of editing is storytelling.

An example of taking what you’ve been given and letting it sing is Brokeback Mountain. This is special to me because it’s one of those I remember exactly where and when I experienced this film. As a closeted gay man until I was in my mid-twenties this film gave me a glimpse into a life I didn’t want to lead and mentally pushed me to take my first step out. The only way this importance can affect a younger “hidden” Hasani is to edit the film so the audience just gets lost in the scenes and that stories. Doing that so expertly is why the last scene with Jack’s hidden shirt moves the audience so deeply. 

Lastly, the most important part of editing is storytelling. From that standpoint, I’m going to say the HBO series The Leftovers, especially series two. I greatly enjoy 'what if' storylines. A storyline such as this one with so many moving parts and a flare for the unexplainable, would quickly spiral out of control and get lost in confusion if it wasn’t so expertly held together and told through the editing. 

To juggle so many perspectives and characters all without shortchanging any of them which would be criminal with such amazing actors likes Ann Dowd and Regina King. 

It is a masterclass.   

Above: The Leftovers, a "masterclass" of storytelling.

What do you like most about the work that you do?

The process to be honest. I think I find the most joy in the subtle differences in each edit because most of the time that is where my inspiration happens or comes from. When that hits and gets you moving it’s a great feeling. It might seem like the simple answer but the process changes from job to job so I need to adapt as well, so I am constantly tapping into a different part of myself and my creativity. Even when a film is similar it forces me to look deeper than I did prior. 

You can’t edit in a vacuum and leave it there. At some point, with a knot in your stomach, you have to hit the spacebar for someone else. 

Being part of that creative team is a real joy as well because you are all working to push each other to get the best film possible at the end. You can’t edit in a vacuum and leave it there. At some point, with a knot in your stomach, you have to hit the spacebar for someone else. 

From there you are an important part of a team all working towards a goal.

What is the process for becoming an editor?

Well, it starts with an interest. I myself fell into it in University, I was originally a Graphic Design major and needed credits, so I took the only film class my university offered. Suddenly I was spending more time editing projects for film class than I was graphic designing. To say there was a spark was an understatement. 

From there, it's just takes putting in the effort and time and most importantly becoming a sponge to inspiration and the knowledge of other editors and their processes. Then that cycle just repeats itself forever.   

What is one thing all editors need?

A point of view and collaboration. 

Great work all start from there.