Skylar Zhang: Maximizing Editing’s Emotional Power
Though humble about discussing it, Yufei Skylar Zhang is well aware that she is gifted as a film editor. She has award-winning films and the admiration of her fellow filmmakers to support this notion but it’s her ability to find the emotional essence of any story that provides such overwhelming evidence of her skill. To hear her speak about what drives her creative search is to witness true passion for the medium. It’s this passion which has been contributed to a perhaps surprising project for the editor known as “One Vote at a Time.” Zhang is a part of female filmmakers whom have utilized their talent to support the election of legislators dedicated to initiatives such as the end of gun violence, better universal health care, and free and equal access to education for all. Skylar and the other filmmakers of “One Vote at a Time” have proven that their ability to communicate and educate both the facts and the emotional component of a candidate factor in heavily in the modern political process.
“One Vote at a Time” creates videos to allow candidates to connect their values and aspirations for their communities to their constituents. Skylar’s connection to “One Vote at a Time” came when postproduction supervisor Maya Rudolph approached her to contribute. Rudolph (award-winning producer of The Last Blackman in San Francisco and Netflix’s Independent Spirt Award Nominee Shirkers) had previously worked with Skylar on the feature documentary film For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close which was nominated for Best Documentary Film at the SXSW Film Festival. Impressed by Zhang’s ability to craft a compelling emotional chord, Maya encouraged Skylar to join this group of exceptional female filmmakers and their altruistic endeavors. Having done her due diligence in researching the candidates and filmmakers involved, Skylar became a part of “One Vote at a Time.” As an editor in the post-production team, Skylar’s work is a highly impactful part of the process as this establishes the final tone and form of each production which represents some of the nearly four hundred candidates across thirteen states which the organization has worked with. Zhang professes her pride in the fact that her work has aided in the election of significant candidates such as Christopher Menefee, the first African-American to serve as Harris Country Attorney in Texas and Naquetta Ricks whose journey from immigrant to Colorado State Representative truly displays the magic of the American dream. Though not her typical professional experience, Skylar declares, “It’s greatly rewarding to be able to use my expertise as an editor to support these candidates and their goal to benefit the community as legislators. It is refreshing to be working so closely and directly to support politicians as it is not normally what one would expect filmmakers to do.”
The types of production which are normal to Zhang are narrative films like the adventure comedy Dia de las Carpas which also presents an important social message through the plight of immigrant children in the modern world. The film stars notables like Hector Atreyu Ruiz (of Christopher Nolan’s BAFTA and Grammy nominated film The Dark Knight Rises) and Isaac Ordonez (of Walt Disney Pictures BET and Image Awards Nominated Feature Film Wrinkle in Time) in this tale which evolves from stark and fearful reality to that of a modern fairytale. A stand-off between young immigrants and ICE agents near the end of the film illuminates the powerful effect of Skylar’s skill on the emotional climax of the story. Filmed on the same pier seen in La La Land, this scene mirrors a classic Western shootout with quick cuts and a boiling point drumbeat like pacing. All of this immediately dissipates when a young immigrant named Esme, who has been at the center of the pursuit, reveals who she truly is to the surprise of all. Screened at dozens of film festivals around the globe, including Oscar-qualifying festivals and prestigious showcases like the SAG-AFRTA Foundation Showcase, Dia de las Carpas has received overwhelming accolades for its unique tone and style.
Skylar provide her skills and expertise in visual storytelling as an editor to award-winning filmmaker Gabriele Di Sazio’s Vincent which deals with a somewhat more artistically European and even slightly taboo subject matter. The formidable cast includes Dakota Kappen as Vincent, Beau Garret (of Tron: Legacy) as Caroline, James Aaron Oliver (of Fox’s Golden Globe Winning Series 24 and the film Rescue Dawn with Christian Bale) as John, and Vince Washington (of Bad Times at the El Royale) as Bunny. After witnessing a particularly violent argument between his parents, a young man named Vincent agrees to visit a brothel with his friend. What he encounters there pushes the limits to what society and he himself deems proper. The climactic scene between Vincent and a prostitute is one which begs you to turn away and yet demands that you not. Zhang’s use of cuts that play off the lighting with an accelerated pacing that elicits the same nervous panic as a quickening heartbeat, pushing the audience past their limit. She regards it as one of the most painstaking yet extremely gratifying experiences that is every editor’s dream. Recalling the experience, Zhang confesses, “We always learn new skills and grow and become better storytellers as we work on more films. And with Vincent, it was an especially enriching journey. I got to indulge myself with my great director Gabriele and have countless inspiring conversations about storytelling and art. Additionally, I won the award of Best Editing for my work on Vincent at the Independent Shorts Awards.” As a long term collaborator of Zhang, Mr. Di Sazio, the Best Director winner at Indie X Film Festival, shared his praise of Zhang’s artistic mastery as a film editor, “I don’t think there’s a collaborator I’ve trusted more — professionally and personally — than Skylar. Her natural talent for effectively communicating subtext, finding the most compelling and truthful rhythm — her honesty, care, and incredible work ethic — have made her my number one priority when working on new projects.” The Director-editor power team has signed on their fourth collaboration, a feature film titled “Altrove”, set and to be filmed on location in Italy and the US.
