In the captivating and complex world of the Apple Original series "Severance," the narrative unfolds around the fictional Lumon Industries, a pioneering biotech firm that introduces a groundbreaking concept: the surgical separation of employees’ work and personal identities. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a thought-provoking exploration of identity and corporate life. As the series progresses, viewers are drawn into a meticulously crafted universe, where video editing emerges as an unexpectedly challenging task for certain characters within the company.
In a standout moment from the fourth episode of the second season, titled "Woe’s Hollow," audiences are treated to a humorous display of rudimentary video editing. This video serves as an introduction for the Macrodata Refinement Department to the Outdoor Retreat and Team Building Occurrence (ORTBO). Geoffrey Richman, one of the show’s highly esteemed editors, humorously remarks on the video: "It’s hilarious. With the jump cuts and glitchy edits in the ORTBO video, it feels like Milchick [played by Tramell Tillman] cut the video together quickly with Miss Huang [Sarah Bock] in the back room behind his office."
Richman, a three-time Emmy Award nominee, plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual and auditory experience of "Severance." Operating from his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, he collaborates closely with the show’s executive producer and director, Ben Stiller, to deliver a visually stunning and genre-blurring masterpiece. Unlike the fictional Milchick, who may have unlimited access to office supplies, Richman relies on a sophisticated Mac-powered setup to achieve his creative vision. His arsenal includes an iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro, which are indispensable tools in his editing process.
The season two finale, "Cold Harbor," presented one of the most challenging editing tasks for Richman. He describes the process as an experimental journey, filled with structural tests and idea exploration. His Mac setup facilitated a smooth workflow, allowing him to seamlessly experiment with various scene arrangements. Richman elaborates on the complexity of editing a marching band sequence, which involved synchronizing approximately 70 angles and takes. By utilizing a multicam clip with banks of nine angles, he could easily switch between options, streamlining the decision-making process.
Richman’s editing setup mirrors the thematic essence of "Severance," where the protagonist descends to a lower level to work daily. In his apartment, Richman operates on an iMac that communicates with a Mac mini running Avid, the industry-standard video editing software, from a post-production facility in Manhattan’s West Village. This familiar and comfortable setup has become second nature to Richman, who has conducted the majority of his editing work on Mac. He appreciates the Mac interface, finding it more intuitive and user-friendly compared to a PC.
The freedom and flexibility of Richman’s Mac setup extend beyond the confines of a single desk. Though primarily working remotely, he occasionally visits the set, where an edit room with an iMac awaits. His MacBook Pro accompanies him on these visits, providing easy access to reference cuts on location. Richman praises the seamless data sharing and device collaboration facilitated by iCloud and Continuity, allowing him to access his work from any device effortlessly. Whether jotting down ideas on his iPhone or making edits on his MacBook Pro, Richman experiences unparalleled convenience and efficiency.
During the production of "Woe’s Hollow," Richman’s MacBook Pro proved invaluable for a visit with Ben Stiller near the picturesque Minnewaska State Park Preserve in upstate New York, where the episode was filmed. The MacBook Pro’s performance, portability, and exceptional battery life were essential for on-the-go editing. Additionally, the multiple ports, including an HDMI port, facilitated collaboration during the editing process, allowing Richman to connect his laptop to a TV for seamless editing sessions with Stiller.
Richman’s work on "Severance" is characterized by multitasking, a skill he attributes to the Mac’s capabilities. Throughout the day, he runs multiple applications simultaneously, including Avid, Notes, Slack, Mail, Messages, Calendar, and Safari. Mission Control, a Mac feature, enables him to switch between apps effortlessly, enhancing his productivity and workflow. This multitasking ability is crucial for Richman, especially when collaborating with Stiller on individual scenes before the entire episode assembly is complete. By sending early cuts of scenes to Stiller for feedback, Richman ensures they are aligned in their creative vision.
The collaborative process extends to the show’s score, which is developed alongside the editing. Richman frequently communicates with Theodore Shapiro, the show’s composer, to align the musical elements with the visual narrative. The transformative power of music is a fundamental aspect of "Severance," as it can dramatically alter the tone and emotional impact of a scene. Richman emphasizes the ability of music to shift a scene into a darker tone, even if the visuals suggest otherwise, allowing audiences to connect with the characters’ emotions on a deeper level.
The season finale presented a particularly intricate editing challenge for Richman. Shapiro composed two original marching band songs for the episode, requiring meticulous coordination between the on-screen instruments and the music. Organizing the marching band footage alone took over a week, with countless angles and takes to consider. Richman’s editing process involved jotting down notes on his iPhone and experimenting with ideas on his MacBook Pro before finalizing them on his iMac. This dynamic approach allowed him to maintain a fresh perspective and explore creative possibilities.
For audiences, the season finale delivered heightened stakes, new insights into Lumon’s enigmatic operations, and perhaps a newfound apprehension towards marching bands. For Richman, the episode represented a culmination of both significant challenges and rewarding accomplishments. Despite the complexity of the marching band scenes, Richman found satisfaction in the process, highlighting the joy and fulfillment that come with overcoming creative obstacles.
As "Severance" continues to captivate viewers on Apple TV+, the behind-the-scenes efforts of Geoffrey Richman, Ben Stiller, and the entire editing team contribute to the show’s success. The second season of "Severance" is now available for streaming, and fans can gain further insights into the making of the season finale in the "Behind the Mac" feature on YouTube. This behind-the-scenes look provides a deeper appreciation for the meticulous craftsmanship that brings the mind-splitting world of "Severance" to life.
For more information on this fascinating series and the technology behind its creation, visit Apple’s newsroom.
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