In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, we delve into the high-pressure, fast-paced world of sketch comedy editing on Saturday Night Live's historic 50th Anniversary special. The episode features returning guest Ryan Spears—four-time Emmy nominee and Film Unit editor at SNL—joined by longtime collaborators Daniel Garcia and Paul Del Gesso. Together, they share insider stories on crafting memorable montages, rediscovering archival gems, navigating the evolution from analog to digital workflows, and ultimately earning their first-ever team nomination for the anniversary special.In this episode, we discuss: How the SNL editorial team collaborated on the 50th Anniversary special, blending archival material and creative reels into a unified piece.The rediscovery of forgotten gems—like Tom Hanks’s softball clip—and deciding what made the final cut.Technical and generational shifts in editing: from film and DIY workflows to 4K raw editing, searchable transcripts, advanced VFX, and speedy turnaround.Adapting to new creative tools, such as APM’s sound‑alike search and 3D animation techniques like the Cheeto character.Balancing fast cuts with breathing room—tailoring pacing to fit the tone, whether it’s surreal whimsy or a more paced parody like White Lotus.Managing chaos: keeping cool under pressure during live edits, system failures, and last-minute creative changes.Advice for aspiring SNL editors: start as assistant editors, build a strong reel (even outside comedy), check your ego at the door, and learn the collaborative workflow.Guests: Ryan Spears is a Film Unit editor at SNL and four-time Emmy nominee. He’s currently a commercial editor based in New York at The Den Editorial.Daniel Garcia has...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday