Rian Johnson's 'Asshole Studio Cut' of New 'Knives Out' is a Masterclass in Editing
For his latest mystery film "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", writer and director Rian Johnson decided to tap into the darker side of Hollywood studio interference, embracing the infamous "asshole studio cut". In a recent screening, hosted by Collider, Johnson revealed that this unconventional editing process allowed him to push the boundaries of his creativity.
During the film's post-production phase, with only a week left before sound mixing, Johnson felt an overwhelming sense of insecurity about the movie's 3-hour runtime. This doubt prompted him to collaborate with editor Bob Ducsay, and together they embarked on a "worst-case scenario" edit, reworking their own master copy of the film in Avid.
Johnson donned his inner "asshole studio executive" persona, mercilessly slashing scenes that didn't meet his vision. The exercise resulted in removing approximately 30 minutes from the final cut. In retrospect, this unorthodox editing process proved to be a turning point for Johnson, allowing him to distill the essence of the film and identify which elements truly contributed to its impact.
"Making an 'asshole studio cut' was like a cathartic rage room," Johnson explained, highlighting the therapeutic release that came with hacking away at his own work. This process also served as a valuable learning experience, helping Johnson pinpoint areas where the film's pacing faltered and identify key scenes that enhanced the emotional resonance of the story.
Johnson's bold editing choices paid off in spades, resulting in "Wake Up Dead Man", which has been hailed by critics as the standout entry in the Knives Out franchise. By embracing his inner 'asshole studio executive', Johnson managed to inject a much-needed dose of creative freedom into his filmmaking process, yielding a masterpiece that will undoubtedly leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Last Jedi also benefited from Johnson's editing expertise, with its notoriously contentious opening sequence receiving a much-needed overhaul. This exercise showcased the director's keen eye for detail and ability to distill complex ideas into cohesive, thrilling sequences.
With "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" set to hit theaters on November 26 and streaming on Netflix on December 12, fans can look forward to another expertly crafted mystery that will keep them guessing until the very end.
For his latest mystery film "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", writer and director Rian Johnson decided to tap into the darker side of Hollywood studio interference, embracing the infamous "asshole studio cut". In a recent screening, hosted by Collider, Johnson revealed that this unconventional editing process allowed him to push the boundaries of his creativity.
During the film's post-production phase, with only a week left before sound mixing, Johnson felt an overwhelming sense of insecurity about the movie's 3-hour runtime. This doubt prompted him to collaborate with editor Bob Ducsay, and together they embarked on a "worst-case scenario" edit, reworking their own master copy of the film in Avid.
Johnson donned his inner "asshole studio executive" persona, mercilessly slashing scenes that didn't meet his vision. The exercise resulted in removing approximately 30 minutes from the final cut. In retrospect, this unorthodox editing process proved to be a turning point for Johnson, allowing him to distill the essence of the film and identify which elements truly contributed to its impact.
"Making an 'asshole studio cut' was like a cathartic rage room," Johnson explained, highlighting the therapeutic release that came with hacking away at his own work. This process also served as a valuable learning experience, helping Johnson pinpoint areas where the film's pacing faltered and identify key scenes that enhanced the emotional resonance of the story.
Johnson's bold editing choices paid off in spades, resulting in "Wake Up Dead Man", which has been hailed by critics as the standout entry in the Knives Out franchise. By embracing his inner 'asshole studio executive', Johnson managed to inject a much-needed dose of creative freedom into his filmmaking process, yielding a masterpiece that will undoubtedly leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Last Jedi also benefited from Johnson's editing expertise, with its notoriously contentious opening sequence receiving a much-needed overhaul. This exercise showcased the director's keen eye for detail and ability to distill complex ideas into cohesive, thrilling sequences.
With "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" set to hit theaters on November 26 and streaming on Netflix on December 12, fans can look forward to another expertly crafted mystery that will keep them guessing until the very end.
but wait what's with the movie being called "wake up dead man" is that supposed to be a thing now? idk if its just me but 3 hours feels super long to sit through a movie can they give us a shorter version or something? also rian johnson is like such an interesting dude i've seen all his movies and he's always doing this crazy editing stuff 
. Like, who needs 3 hours to tell a story? Sounds like the studios are really trying to make movies now... anyway, guess that means there'll be even more overhyped blockbusters flooding the market 
. I mean, think about it, Rian Johnson could've easily let himself be held back by what others thought was "acceptable" for a Hollywood film 
. But nope, he took a deep breath, put on his thinking cap (or in this case, the inner asshole studio exec 
), and hacked away at his own work. That's some major creative liberation 
! It's like he was saying, "I'm gonna make my own rules here, and if you don't like it, that's your problem." 
What I love about this approach is that it's not just about cutting scenes (literally), but also about identifying what truly matters to the story. It's about distilling the essence of a film down to its most impactful elements 
. Johnson's willingness to take risks and challenge himself reminds us that sometimes, the best things in life come from stepping outside our comfort zones 
.
. I love how he turned that vulnerability into a strength, embracing the "asshole studio cut" persona to find the essence of his film 
. It's awesome to see someone having so much creative control and freedom in their process - it shows in the final product 
.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to tap into their inner "asshole studio executive" and hack away at their own work? 
. I'm also loving the fact that he's not afraid to take risks and try new things – it's really refreshing to see a director willing to push boundaries like that 
... Rian Johnson's approach to editing is super inspiring. I mean, who wouldn't want to cut loose (literally and figuratively 
. I mean, Rian Johnson's 'asshole studio cut' was just a euphemism for allowing himself to go wild with editing scissors 
. The end result is a film that's leaner, meaner, and actually stays on pace – it's a masterclass in restraint, if you ask me 
.
. After all, isn't that what filmmaking is all about – distilling the essence of your idea into something beautiful? 
the way he got to slash scenes that didn't work was literally cathartic... I can only imagine how intense that must've been for him 
. It's all about distilling the essence, right? And yay for "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" - can't wait to see it! 
! I love how he went all out on his editing process, being super ruthless about scenes that didn't make the cut. It's like he was channeling his inner villain (in a good way, of course) to get exactly what he wanted. I mean, who needs 3 hours when you can have 2 and a half? 
The fact that it paid off so big time is just mind-blowing. I'm all about creative freedom in filmmaking, and Johnson's got it down pat. Can't wait to see how he weaves the whole mystery together on December 12th! 
I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to "slash" their own scenes and get rid of 30 minutes of filler? 
It's like he had a PhD in "less is more". 
The result is a masterpiece, if you ask me! 
So, bring on "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery"! 
I'm ready for the thrilling ride! 
It's like a breath of fresh air for the film industry 
. The fact that he was able to tap into his inner "asshole studio executive" and still produce something so amazing is just incredible 
#RianJohnson #KnivesOut #AssholeStudioCut #FilmEditing #MysteryLovers
. This whole "asshole studio cut" thing? Genius move, bro! He took all his creative fears and doubts and just went for it, slashing scenes that didn't work and making the film tighter. It's like he was in a dark room with a red pen, just tearing everything apart and rebuilding it into something amazing 
. The last Jedi still got some backlash, but at least his vision came through. It's all about trusting your instincts and not being afraid to take risks on a creative level. Can't wait to see what he does next!