Meet Julia Bresnan | Film Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Bresnan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is how I got my entire career started. Jumping at an opportunity even if it terrifies you is how I’ve gotten to where I am and I will continue to do it.

I landed my first ever Production Assistant gig because I swiped up on an instagram story asking for PAs. That one indie project introduced me to the people that would get me on every job I’ve ever worked afterwards. I continued with this philosophy and ended up working on a massive film in Atlanta, Georgia in a role and department I’ve never worked in before. Risks are exciting and they put us out of our comfort zone which is exactly where we need to be to grow and learn.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As an editor I enjoy collaborating with directors and filmmakers that are visually creative. Most of my films have been set in future dystopias with creatures and unknown threats. I find that my favorite part of film as an art form, is the ability to transport audiences to a world or situation that they’ve never been to but can see themselves in. Taking the viewer to a place where the language and settings feel familiar enough but when you look closer things are abnormal.

Becoming a film editor was a fairly new journey for me and one that has been very rewarding. I started in 2020 taking an introduction to editing class at my university where I learned Adobe Premiere Pro. Prior to taking that class I had no idea what my path in film was going to be, but after experimenting with different projects and genres, I eventually found that editing was my passion. After completing the semester I started branding myself as an editor and people in my classes noticed. A classmate approached me to edit her spring film festival submission and once that premiered my name was out there to the rest of the department. I got an offer to edit an indie feature film the following year (2021) and that will be completed this summer (2023)!

I have learned a lot about my personal editing style since I’ve started, I’ve been reading tons of editor’s books, listening to podcasts, and keeping up with editor discussions on social media. My most crucial lesson I’ve learned is to look through everything, know your footage front to back because you can craft a moment out of any part of a take and you don’t want to miss those hidden gems.

I came from a small town in Oahu, Hawai’i where film was not on the radar of many minds. I became hooked on the idea of working in Hollywood from a very young age and have stuck to that promise I made to my younger self. I owe my progress to the people in Hawai’i that introduced me to filmmaking and helped me realize that I could make my dreams a reality. I ran to movies as an outlet to transport myself to places that made me feel better or more alive and I hope that I can make films that will be that outlet for someone else.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I haven’t been in Los Angeles for that long so I don’t have a long list but I have a few staples.

My favorite active spot is the Lake Hollywood Reservoir, it’s a 3 mile loop with the most amazing view of the Hollywood sign. After completing the walk, you can grab some Thai food one of the many spots around and head up to Barnsdall Art Park. This park has amazing views and so much nature to marvel at as well.

For night life I have a few fun spots but you can usually catch my friends and I at Dirty Laundry dancing the night away.

LA is also home to the best museums and art, I personally am a member at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and go very often for screenings and new exhibits. The LACMA and the Broad are good low cost options as well with some great art collections. The Last Bookstore is one of my favorite places to peruse records and books and just lose yourself in the mystical decor.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly my older brother Nick, he is the reason I discovered film as a career at an early age. He was my first inspiration in film and the best motivator. As well as the people that have seen me grow the most as an artist, Gearld Canaday IV and Isabella Serrano. The first director to approach me to edit their film, Taylor Schlobohm and my most current collaborators Axel Knight, Eden Woolworth, Chase Korzep, and Reyn Kaneshiro.

Website: https://bresnanjulia.wixsite.com/my-site

Instagram: @juliachristinee_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bresnan-119b1a180/

Twitter: @juliacbresnan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@olympianproductions2186

Image Credits
Patricia Kristine Reyes Reyn Kaneshiro Gearld Canaday IV