On Documentary

Niels Pagh Andersen on the "Order in Chaos" of Film Editing

June 19, 2023 Adam James Smith Season 1 Episode 3
Niels Pagh Andersen on the "Order in Chaos" of Film Editing
On Documentary
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On Documentary
Niels Pagh Andersen on the "Order in Chaos" of Film Editing
Jun 19, 2023 Season 1 Episode 3
Adam James Smith

In this episode, I talk to Niels Pagh Andersen, one of the most accomplished film editors in the world. We discuss Niels' working relationship with director Joshua Oppenheimer and his work on the Oscar nominated “The Act of Killing” and Oscar winning follow up, “The Look of Silence," as well as his current work on the upcoming film “The End." Niels details his philosophy and approach to editing outlined in his book “Order in Chaos." 

“Order in Chaos” book website: www.orderinchaosbook.com 
“The Act of Killing” website: www.theactofkilling.com
“The Look of Silence” website: www.thelookofsilence.com

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

Show Notes Chapter Markers

In this episode, I talk to Niels Pagh Andersen, one of the most accomplished film editors in the world. We discuss Niels' working relationship with director Joshua Oppenheimer and his work on the Oscar nominated “The Act of Killing” and Oscar winning follow up, “The Look of Silence," as well as his current work on the upcoming film “The End." Niels details his philosophy and approach to editing outlined in his book “Order in Chaos." 

“Order in Chaos” book website: www.orderinchaosbook.com 
“The Act of Killing” website: www.theactofkilling.com
“The Look of Silence” website: www.thelookofsilence.com

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

Introduction
How Niels made a start in his career
Changes in how documentaries are made
Editing documentary vs fiction
What inspired Niels to write "Order in Chaos"
The working relationship between an editor and director
Working with Joshua Oppenheimer
Cutting "The Act of Killing" and "The Look of Silence"
Editing upcoming film "The End"
Being drawn to particular subject matter as an editor
Teaching editing to students
Day in the life of an editor
Website for "Order in Chaos" and final message