Byron Smith on cutting AMC+'s Kill Jackie
Editor Byron Smith joined Kingdom of Dreams to talk through the first two episodes of AMC+'s Kill Jackie, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones. One emotional beat in episode two became a standout in the room, and even studio executives locked onto it.
Early episodes have to teach an audience how a series will move. Smith walks through how those opening hours set pace and character before the plot has permission to run.
When executives love a moment, the craft question is why: did the cut protect a performance long enough for it to land, or did it simply underline a plot turn? The better answer is usually the performance.
Go deeper on Kingdom of Dreams
- → EP 332: Byron Smith on Kill Jackie
- → EP 311: Byron Smith on Apple TV+'s Lucky
- → EP 319: John Axelrad on The End of Oak Street
Browse more editor conversations in the Kingdom of Dreams archive.
Original Kingdom of Dreams craft take based on our conversation with editor Byron Smith (EP 332).