Editor Stephanie Filo has made history this season by receiving three Emmy nominations in picture editing for three different shows: HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, Netflix’s Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and Hulu’s History of the World: Part II. Filo is not only the first editor to be nominated in a single year for three different shows but also the first Black female editor to be nominated three times in a single year.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Filo expressed her gratitude and humility for the nominations. She hopes that her achievement will serve as a testament to the fact that editors can cut different types of shows, debunking the notion that they should be pigeonholed. Filo also hopes that her increased visibility can help bring more diversity to the editing industry, stating that she wants to see more people who look like her in similar positions. She recalls that until a few years ago, she didn’t know any Black editors, but she has been glad to see the postproduction space becoming more inclusive.
Filo then discusses the creative team behind A Black Lady Sketch Show. She speaks highly of creator Robin Thede, who is passionate about ensuring that the show feels authentic and represents diverse voices and perspectives. Filo mentions that every department on the show has Black women, women of color, or nonbinary individuals, making it an incredible experience to work on. She enjoys seeing so many different types of Black women represented in one space, breaking away from the stereotypical portrayals often seen in comedy.
When asked about the script of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Filo reveals that while they usually start with one or two scripted takes, they then go on to do multiple takes where they can let loose and improvise. This gives the editors a lot of material to work with, and their main goal is to create the funniest final product possible. Filo greatly appreciates the collaborative nature of the show and the trust Thede places in the editors to find the most humorous moments.
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Filo then discusses the challenges of editing History of the World: Part II. She explains that the show has multiple comedic talents with different sensibilities behind the scenes, making it essential to find the right voice for each segment. Filo finds it rewarding to know that she has made comedic icons like Wanda Sykes and Nick Kroll laugh with her edits, indicating that they have something good.
When it comes to editing Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Filo initially had reservations due to the sensationalized portrayals of the serial killer’s story in the past. However, she was drawn to the project after reading the scripts and realizing that the focus was on highlighting the system’s failure. Filo and her assistant editor, Lyric Ramsey, took great care in approaching the sensitive subject matter respectfully and authentically. They extensively researched the case, watched documentaries, read books, and listened to music that captured the tone they wanted to convey in the series.
In conclusion, Stephanie Filo’s three Emmy nominations in picture editing for A Black Lady Sketch Show, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and History of the World: Part II not only mark a historic achievement but also highlight the need for more diversity and representation in the editing industry. Filo’s success and visibility can inspire aspiring editors from underrepresented communities and encourage the industry to embrace a wider range of voices and perspectives.
