The Creative View from Over the Shoulder

Mark Solomon Shares His Expertise on Telling Stories and the Art of Skillful Editing

“The way I see the world is through stories,” says Mark Solomon. “It’s the water I swim in.”

Renowned Film editor Solomon has over 30 years’ experience in engaging audiences. And he did exactly that for an enthralled crowd at a Talkback, Signing, and Live Podcast at the Drama Book Shop in Midtown Manhattan, regaling us with tales of the craft as detailed in his new book, Over the Shoulder: A Freelancer’s Guide to Telling Stories and Editing Films. (The following are highlights from both the Talk and the Q&A portions of the event, facilitated by The Drama Book Show! Podcast hosts Mark Eugene-Garcia and David Rigano)

Solomon first became enchanted by the art of storytelling through cinema at 18 years old, when he saw the classic film Harold and Maude, the May-December romance story that he found “beautiful and life-affirming”. “When I left the theater that night I felt like I was floating on air,” he says. “So exhilarated and uplifted. I decided right then—this is my path.”

But after several semesters at Syracuse University where he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in film and theatre, it was time for his final project, and Solomon found himself “choked with fear.” “I had a passion for films and filmmaking, but I had no idea what to make a film about…what story did I want to tell? I was desperate, and I berated myself for not knowing.”

It’s a struggle that all passionate creators can relate to. The intense pressure, anxiety, and dread in the time leading up to graduation resulted in what Solomon calls a “toxic psychosis that I was lucky to survive.”

Solomon found his way back following a Eureka! moment prompted by his experience of Japanese theater, where the actors do not begin until they are certain the audience is giving the stage their full attention and focus. “Through the course of the evening the actors take control of the breathing rhythm,” he notes, “and guide the audience through the climax of the play.”

Something about this concept stayed with him and spurred him on, and he was able to return to his academic and artistic journey.  “My brain slowly recovered…I remember walking around my suburban neighborhood with a single plea migrating through my body: Give Me Life.” He didn’t know yet what his story was going to be, but he knew for certain he wanted another chance to find it.

While studying more about the rough state of the world and exploring ways to make it better, Solomon grew as a person, which fueled his artistic aspirations. The activist that he says left the greatest impression on him was Daniel Berrigan, the Jesuit Priest famous for speaking out against the Vietnam War and openly opposing huge institutions like the US government and military. Solomon was inspired by his “shining moral clarity and the courage to live by his convictions…I found his talk galvanizing.”

Kerrigan encouraged Solomon to volunteer at the local nonprofit peace council, and Solomon learned a critical lesson. “A single voice has power.” And this has been the impetus for his storytelling journey ever since.

“Learn what story matters,” he says. “Tell that story in the most compelling way, to make people feel something emotional…learn how to reach people.”

This call-to-action leads Solomon and his editing team, on every creative endeavor, to create the version of a narrative that will create the strongest impact on the audience. “I ask (of a scene), what’s in and what’s out? Of the pieces that are available, what do you choose to keep with you and what do you leave behind?” For Solomon, it comes down to discernment, fueled by the knowledge that people look for patterns; the human mind sees two things and decides for itself how they’re related to each other, and the craft of successful storytelling depends on recognizing that truth. Solomon cites “The Kuleshov Effect,” a film editing technique that uses a sequence of visuals to infer meaning and evoke an emotional response. Returning to Japanese storytelling, another influential technique is Jo-ha-kyū, which instructs that all actions or efforts should begin slowly, accelerate, and then end suddenly or quickly. (Solomon notes an example of Jo-ha-kyū in his own Chicken Run, specifically the memorable “pie machine” sequence.)

Building masterfully on his extensive experiences and influences, Solomon has gone on to be the person behind the prodigious editing of such animated films as the aforementioned Chicken Run; Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero; The Tale of Despereaux; and Frankenweenie, which was nominated for an Eddie Award in 2013. He was also part of the team behind the legendary movies Shrek and Space Jam.

Solomon gives his insight on how to persevere and succeed in an industry where there is so much content and competition, at a time when art is presented by hundreds of thousands of creators on multiple platforms.

“Declare victory and move on,” advises Solomon when a project doesn’t achieve the level of success one had hoped for. “Call it a success, and learn what you can from it.” The good news about our times is that there is always a chance for art to be re-envisioned, re-launched, or re-released.

As very much someone who wants to give back and share his insight and experiences with aspiring artists, Solomon has taught his craft to students at film schools and universities. Over the Shoulder is a way of passing that knowledge to an even wider audience.

“I’d started teaching at a film school in Boston and in London…and every term, there would be one student who would sort of be really sparked by what I was talking about,” he explains. “I knew that they would follow and pursue a career as an editor, and I wanted to give them something to help. When you finish film school it’s hard to see how to navigate the world outside…So I thought that I would try to share what I learned.”

He recalls that when he first started out as an apprentice, he pledged to his editors and instructors to one day mentor newcomers himself as well. “I promised when it’s my turn, I’ll pass all that I’ve learned to the next generation. So this book is a part of keeping that promise.”

Learn more about Mark at MarkSolomon.net. Over the Shoulder is available at 7pinespublishing.com. Learn more about the Drama Book Store at https://dramabookshop.com/

Mark Solomon Shares His Expertise on Telling Stories and the Art of Skillful Editing

“The way I see the world is through stories,” says Mark Solomon. “It’s the water I swim in.”

Renowned Film editor Solomon has over 30 years’ experience in engaging audiences. And he did exactly that for an enthralled crowd at a Talkback, Signing, and Live Podcast at the Drama Book Shop in Midtown Manhattan, regaling us with tales of the craft as detailed in his new book, Over the Shoulder: A Freelancer’s Guide to Telling Stories and Editing Films. (The following are highlights from both the Talk and the Q&A portions of the event, facilitated by The Drama Book Show! Podcast hosts Mark Eugene-Garcia and David Rigano)

Solomon first became enchanted by the art of storytelling through cinema at 18 years old, when he saw the classic film Harold and Maude, the May-December romance story that he found “beautiful and life-affirming”. “When I left the theater that night I felt like I was floating on air,” he says. “So exhilarated and uplifted. I decided right then—this is my path.”

But after several semesters at Syracuse University where he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in film and theatre, it was time for his final project, and Solomon found himself “choked with fear.” “I had a passion for films and filmmaking, but I had no idea what to make a film about…what story did I want to tell? I was desperate, and I berated myself for not knowing.”

It’s a struggle that all passionate creators can relate to. The intense pressure, anxiety, and dread in the time leading up to graduation resulted in what Solomon calls a “toxic psychosis that I was lucky to survive.”

Solomon found his way back following a Eureka! moment prompted by his experience of Japanese theater, where the actors do not begin until they are certain the audience is giving the stage their full attention and focus. “Through the course of the evening the actors take control of the breathing rhythm,” he notes, “and guide the audience through the climax of the play.”

Something about this concept stayed with him and spurred him on, and he was able to return to his academic and artistic journey.  “My brain slowly recovered…I remember walking around my suburban neighborhood with a single plea migrating through my body: Give Me Life.” He didn’t know yet what his story was going to be, but he knew for certain he wanted another chance to find it.

While studying more about the rough state of the world and exploring ways to make it better, Solomon grew as a person, which fueled his artistic aspirations. The activist that he says left the greatest impression on him was Daniel Berrigan, the Jesuit Priest famous for speaking out against the Vietnam War and openly opposing huge institutions like the US government and military. Solomon was inspired by his “shining moral clarity and the courage to live by his convictions…I found his talk galvanizing.”

Kerrigan encouraged Solomon to volunteer at the local nonprofit peace council, and Solomon learned a critical lesson. “A single voice has power.” And this has been the impetus for his storytelling journey ever since.

“Learn what story matters,” he says. “Tell that story in the most compelling way, to make people feel something emotional…learn how to reach people.”

This call-to-action leads Solomon and his editing team, on every creative endeavor, to create the version of a narrative that will create the strongest impact on the audience. “I ask (of a scene), what’s in and what’s out? Of the pieces that are available, what do you choose to keep with you and what do you leave behind?” For Solomon, it comes down to discernment, fueled by the knowledge that people look for patterns; the human mind sees two things and decides for itself how they’re related to each other, and the craft of successful storytelling depends on recognizing that truth. Solomon cites “The Kuleshov Effect,” a film editing technique that uses a sequence of visuals to infer meaning and evoke an emotional response. Returning to Japanese storytelling, another influential technique is Jo-ha-kyū, which instructs that all actions or efforts should begin slowly, accelerate, and then end suddenly or quickly. (Solomon notes an example of Jo-ha-kyū in his own Chicken Run, specifically the memorable “pie machine” sequence.)

Building masterfully on his extensive experiences and influences, Solomon has gone on to be the person behind the prodigious editing of such animated films as the aforementioned Chicken Run; Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero; The Tale of Despereaux; and Frankenweenie, which was nominated for an Eddie Award in 2013. He was also part of the team behind the legendary movies Shrek and Space Jam.

Solomon gives his insight on how to persevere and succeed in an industry where there is so much content and competition, at a time when art is presented by hundreds of thousands of creators on multiple platforms.

“Declare victory and move on,” advises Solomon when a project doesn’t achieve the level of success one had hoped for. “Call it a success, and learn what you can from it.” The good news about our times is that there is always a chance for art to be re-envisioned, re-launched, or re-released.

As very much someone who wants to give back and share his insight and experiences with aspiring artists, Solomon has taught his craft to students at film schools and universities. Over the Shoulder is a way of passing that knowledge to an even wider audience.

“I’d started teaching at a film school in Boston and in London…and every term, there would be one student who would sort of be really sparked by what I was talking about,” he explains. “I knew that they would follow and pursue a career as an editor, and I wanted to give them something to help. When you finish film school it’s hard to see how to navigate the world outside…So I thought that I would try to share what I learned.”

He recalls that when he first started out as an apprentice, he pledged to his editors and instructors to one day mentor newcomers himself as well. “I promised when it’s my turn, I’ll pass all that I’ve learned to the next generation. So this book is a part of keeping that promise.”

Learn more about Mark at MarkSolomon.net. Over the Shoulder is available at 7pinespublishing.com.