In this episode of Editors on Editing, Glenn Garland interviews Axel Geddes, a seasoned Pixar editor recognized for his award-winning work on Toy Story 4 and Finding Dory. Geddes shares his extensive experience on Pixar’s recent animated film Hoppers, talking through the intricacies of editing in animation and the collaborative nature of filmmaking at Pixar.
The two discuss the collaborative environment cultivated at Pixar, where editors, directors, writers, story artists, and animators work as a team to refine the story through multiple iterations over a four-year period. Geddes highlighted the freedom animation offers compared to live action, noting that scenes can be rewritten, re-recorded, and reimagined without typical live-action constraints. This flexibility supports a rigorous and experimental approach, evidenced by the practice of breaking scenes to test their narrative necessity and emotional impact.
Geddes showcases the editor’s role as a guardian of both story clarity and emotional impact, continually evaluating cuts and refining details even late into production. His reflection on sustaining energy and enthusiasm over the protracted creative process also speaks to the perseverance needed in animation editing.
“I was pretty beat at the end,” Geddes said. “But I’m immensely proud of this film.”
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