#156 John Murphy - Garry Talks: Film

In this episode of "Garry Talks Film," host Garry chats with acclaimed Irish film editor John Murphy about his journey from college in Galway to editing Oscar-nominated films like "The Quiet Girl." They discuss the evolution of film editing, the impact of remote work, and the challenges facing the Irish film industry. John shares insights into editing across genres, his experiences on notable projects, and offers advice for aspiring editors, emphasising perseverance, collaboration, and passion. The episode highlights the unpredictable paths creative careers can take and the importance of adaptability in the ever-changing world of film.   - Support this podcast by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com - Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast. Discovering Editing: Early Signs (00:00:00) John reflects on his early organisational tendencies and how editing became his calling, though he didn’t realise it in college. Introduction & Guest Background (00:00:13) Garry introduces John Murphy, highlighting his career and the creative role of editing in filmmaking. The Quiet Girl’s Impact (00:00:45) John discusses the cultural significance of "The Quiet Girl" in Irish cinema and language history. Podcast Sponsors & Network (00:01:05) Acknowledgment of podcast sponsors and promotion of the GK Media Studios Creators Network. College Days in Galway (00:01:24) Garry and John reminisce about meeting in film school in Galway in the late 1990s. Film School in the 90s: Technology & Exposure (00:02:40) They discuss the lack of streaming, exposure to world cinema, and the evolution of film education and technology. Learning Editing & Early Career Choices (00:06:05) John describes learning to edit on film, the physicality of the process, and how it shaped his editing mindset. Transition from First AD to Editor (00:07:28) John recounts his early roles as a first assistant director and his accidental entry into editing. First Big Break: Kilnaskully (00:10:45) John explains how he became editor for "Kilnaskully" at age 23 and the mentorship he received. Balancing Success and Struggle (00:12:19) John talks about the reality of working on a hit show while still hustling for assistant work in the off-season. Sustaining a Career in the 2000s (00:13:17) He reflects on the challenges and opportunities for young filmmakers during the Celtic Tiger era. Comedy Editing & Building a Reputation (00:14:40) John discusses becoming known as a comedy editor, working with Tommy Tiernan, and the importance of striving for excellence. Networking and the Galway Advantage (00:16:19) He explains how being based in Galway, a smaller industry hub, helped him build his career organically. Moving to Dublin & Career Growth (00:17:55) John describes his move to Dublin in 2010, the differences in work opportunities, and the shift to feature films. Remote Editing & Industry Changes (00:19:51) They discuss how COVID-19 changed the industry, enabling remote work and decentralising film production. Returning West & Remote Workflow (00:22:08) John shares how the pandemic prompted his move back west and how he adapted to remote editing. Editing The Quiet Girl Remotely (00:23:23) Details on editing "The Quiet Girl" from home, collaborating with the director via Zoom, and the challenges involved. First Assembly & Realising the Film’s Power (00:26:40) John describes the emotional impact of the first assembly of "The Quiet Girl" and the importance of casting. Oscar Nomination Experience (00:30:14) John recounts the moment "The Quiet Girl" received its Oscar nomination and the journey with the film’s team. Irish Language Film Revolution (00:33:35) They discuss the surge in Irish language films and the global acceptance of subtitled content. Watching Films as an Editor (00:34:52) John talks about his film-watching habits, the importance of consuming diverse content, and how it influences his work. Recent Influential Films & Editing Trends (00:37:03) John reflects on recent films and editing styles that stood out to him, including the difference between disposable and impactful cinema. Character vs. Story in Editing (00:40:50) Discussion on how editors bring out character over plot, with examples from different genres. Editing Comedy & Audience Testing (00:43:33) John explains the unique challenges of editing comedy, the importance of timing, and testing with audiences. Comedy and Drama: Emotional Response (00:45:24) They discuss how repeated viewing affects an editor’s emotional response to scenes, especially in comedy and drama. Recent Projects: Sanatorium & Báite (00:46:36) John talks about his recent award-winning documentaries and the recognition they’ve received. Editing Multilingual Documentaries (00:48:09) He describes the process and challenges of editing "Sanatorium," a Ukrainian/Russian language documentary. Upcoming Film: Saipan (00:52:00) John previews his work on "Saipan," its festival run, and the excitement around its release. Sports Docs & Drama Structure (00:52:50) He explains how editing sports documentaries taught him about structuring drama and maintaining tension. Current Work & Editing Process (00:55:08) John shares details about his current project on overtourism in Italy and his collaborative editing process. Advice for Aspiring Editors (00:55:44) John offers advice: perseverance, being sound, building relationships, and the role of luck in the industry. Advice for Working with Editors (00:58:58) Tips for directors: give editors space, be prepared, be open, and foster a positive, collaborative environment. Closing Remarks (01:00:13) Final thanks, well-wishes, and podcast outro.