Why The 'Wicked' Editor Cut Music From The Movie

Discover How to Edit Like Like An Artist: https://hayden-hillier-smith.mykajabi.com/edit-like-an-artist Start You 7-Day Free Trial for Epic Mainstream Music for YouTube with Lickd: https://go.lickd.co/The-Editing-Podcast-Wicked Host: @HillierSmith Guest: Myron Kerstein Editor: João Bernardo & André Rodrigues Executive Producer: Vishnu Vallabhaneni 0:00 - Silence is Golden in a Musical 1:25 - Balancing The Film's Explosive Opening 5:00 - Breaking Down 'What Is This Feeling' 12:41 - The Scene That Made Us CRY 26:00 - Breaking Down 'Defying Gravity' 38:44 - Advice for Younger Editors How do you edit a blockbuster musical like Wicked? In this episode of The Editing Podcast, host Hayden Hillier-Smith sits down with Oscar-nominated editor Myron Kerstein (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) to break down the challenges of bringing one of Broadway’s biggest hits to the big screen. Editing a musical isn’t just about cutting between performances—it’s about crafting rhythm, emotion, and spectacle all at once. Myron takes us inside his process, revealing how he approached the iconic "Defying Gravity" sequence, balancing high-energy visuals with the emotional weight of the story. He also shares the intricacies of editing large-scale choreography, ensuring that every movement feels dynamic while keeping the performances at the heart of the scene. From shaping the pace of musical storytelling to overcoming the unique hurdles of adapting Wicked for film, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone fascinated by the craft of movie editing. Whether you're a filmmaker, a musical theater fan, or just love behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe now for more deep dives with top editors, and don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorite moments from Wicked!