After working for Conan O’Brien for the last decade, Robert James Ashe is currently editing animatics for Beavis and Butt-Head, which is coming to Paramount+ next year.
Rob Ashe
Assuming you’ve been working remotely this year. Can you talk about your setup/workflow?
My setup has been evolving since March of 2020. I started with dual laptops, as I was so fearful of rolling blackouts, but they haven’t been that much of a problem where I live.
I currently edit with an iMac Pro and a 24-inch Cintiq Pro. I decided to adopt the Cintiq to help me battle running RSI issues, and I have fallen in love with it, especially for animation editing, as I have to do so much masking, etc. Depending on the show, I’ve been using tools like Jump Desktop, Evercast, Frame.io, Google Drive, OBS, EBS and an iPad for taking notes. I have a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro as a backup. Once Apple releases the silicon version of the MacBook Pro, I will probably invest in it.
Have you also been in-person? Can you talk about how that experience has been during the pandemic?
I have not worked with anyone in person since March of 2020. For Conan, it was somewhat of an easy transition, as everyone had known each other for over a decade. The different projects that I have been working on since are a little more challenging, as it can get tough to get to know folks over chat. Everyone is so incredibly nice though, which helps tremendously.
What were some of the biggest challenges of editing this past year and a half?
A big part of it has been time management. I have three kids who I now get to see a lot. It can be tough for them to understand that I have work to do. On the flip side, it can also be tough for a client to understand that you’re going to hear my kids when we talk. But everyone is in the same boat, which helps. Just takes some getting used to.
If you had the option to choose, would you work full-time in-studio, full-time at home or hybrid?
I would choose 90% home and go in-person for the more important screenings. If working from home will be the majority of the future (and I think it will), then I’d love to build an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) in the backyard just to have a different space to work, and my wife can have her dining room table back.
Do you have a wish list for makers of editing products or editing-related products?
I fantasize about this imaginary streaming box that I plug a video output and camera into that works with all the communication apps (FaceTime, Zoom, BlueJeans, Messenger). It has controls like the ATEM Mini so you can control what the client sees and when. It’s tough for clients during a session to know when an edit is ready for viewing.
How have you been collaborating during this time?
Mostly via Evercast and Frame.io.
What NLE or software worked the best when working remotely? If hybrid, which software needed the least amount of new knowledge?
I’ve been working in Premiere Pro and Media Composer on different projects. I prefer Premiere remotely because I really love its NDI integration, but each has its pluses and minuses.