Since growing up in the 314, Doc Crotzer and Joe Leonard have directed, produced, and edited hundreds of hours of scripted television and feature films that have appeared in theaters and on networks such as Amazon, FX, HBO, Netflix, and Starz. They were nominated together for an American Cinema Editors Award for their work on “Glee.” In the class, they will discuss how to be effective and efficient visual storytellers and creative problem-solvers. They will share extensive knowledge about editing and how it informs decision-making in many other aspects of filmmaking, including writing and directing. Whether you are a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, this session will provide you with useful advice, theories, anecdotes, clips, demonstrations, and insight. Raw footage donated by our co-sponsor will be edited and used as part of the presentation.
Co-sponsored by EditMentor and EditStock
The master classes are sponsored by the Chellappa-Vedavalli Foundation, which also is underwriting a $500 juried prize for the Best Showcase Film.
All master classes are free, but registration is required to participate.
Doc Crotzer
A filmmaking Swiss Army knife, Doc has directed, produced, and edited studio feature films, award-winning television series, and immersive documentaries. He draws from his wide-ranging experience in production and postproduction to tell cinematic stories that remain grounded in human emotion, regardless of the medium. His encyclopedic knowledge of editing allows him to shoot efficiently and creatively while inspiring confidence from collaborators on both sides of the camera. His favorite part of filmmaking is collaborating with actors and crew members to create something in which the sum is truly greater than any of its parts. Doc’s instincts and work ethic are trusted at the highest levels, and he often quietly works as a “fixer” on studio films and TV shows that need fresh eyes to reach their fullest potential. A musician himself, Doc has edited more than 100 music videos and excels in bringing stories to life that incorporate music and visual effects. Doc was nominated for an Emmy for his work directing a web series and nominated for ACE and HPA awards for his work on the TV show “Glee.” He is a proud member of the Directors Guild of America, American Cinema Editors, and the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Joe Leonard
Joe Leonard is a St. Louis native currently living in Los Angeles. He went to John Burroughs School and is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts film and television program. Joe wrote and directed the independent feature “How I Got Lost,” shot in New York and his hometown of Kirkwood, which screened in the New Filmmakers Forum at the St. Louis International Film Festival in 2009. As a union television editor in Hollywood, Joe has cut shows such as “Glee,” “Empire,” “The Man in the High Castle,” “Star,” “Chambers,” “Mr. Robot,” “Briarpatch,” and most recently the Watergate drama “Gaslit,” starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, on Starz. He cut the independent film “3 Days of Normal” and the Blumhouse meta-horror flick “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.” Joe has also directed numerous short films and an episode of “Star” with Queen Latifah. He is a member of the American Cinema Editors (ACE) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
