EP 3: Shannon Baker Davis: Revolutionizing Reel Stories and the Art of Editing in Hollywood

Shannon Baker Davis, an award-winning television and film editor, discusses her career journey and experiences. Shannon's impressive credits include 'The Photograph,' 'Kindred,' 'Queen Sugar,' 'Grown-ish,' 'Impeachment: American Crime Story,' and various projects for Disney, Marvel, Netflix, and HBO. Shannon describes her path from Augusta, Georgia, to becoming a revered editor in Los Angeles. She talks about her educational background from Howard University and her Professor Legendary Actor Bill Duke who persuaded her to attend the American Film Institute (AFI), her struggles and successes in the industry, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and the intricacies of the editing process. Shannon also emphasizes the importance of being meticulous, organized, and continually exposed to different types of film and TV content. She provides insights into the editing profession, union memberships, and offers advice for aspiring editors.

IMDB:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1564835/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shannonbakerdavis/
ACE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: https://americancinemaeditors.org/ed-center/ace-internship-program/
NAACP EDITING FELLOWSHIP https://naacp.org/find-resources/scholarships-awards-internships/internships-fellowships/naacp-editing-fellowship
LINKEDIN FORMERLY LYNDA.COM https://www.linkedin.com/learning/topics/video-editingAFI: https://www.avid.com/media-composer/overview

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Shannon Baker Davis
• 1:43 Early Life and Education
• 2:53 First Steps in the Industry
• 3:48 Transition to Reality TV
• 5:54 Hustling Between DC and New York
• 6:09 Career Growth in New York
• 6:28 Return to LA and Scripted Work
• 7:12 Balancing Family and Career
• 13:19 Skills and Advice for Aspiring Editors
• 17:24 Union Membership and Benefits
• 19:28 Navigating Union Jobs in LA
• 20:06 Joining the Union in New York
• 20:52 A Day in the Life of an Editor
• 21:32 The Editing Process: From Dailies to Director's Cut
• 24:32 Balancing Work and Family Life
• 26:04 Challenges and Successes as a Female Editor
• 31:30 The Importance of ACE
• 33:42 Adjusting to Life in LA, Resources and Tips