The Art of the Edit with Vincent Cordisco

For Vincent Cordisco, great editing is all about energy and flow. Whether he’s cutting a high-impact commercial or troubleshooting a complex timeline, Vincent brings precision and personality to every project. His edits are quick, rhythmic, and full of life — but behind that seamless pace is a deep respect for structure and story. Here, he shares what defines his style, the challenges that push him creatively, and how technology continues to shape the way he works.

AX: How would you explain your role to someone unfamiliar with production or advertising?

VC: Video editing is the process of taking raw video footage and shaping it into a finished story. Imagine you filmed a bunch of short clips on your phone during a vacation. By themselves, those clips might be too long, boring, shaky, or out of order. Editing is how you turn those clips into something enjoyable to watch. 

AX: How would you describe your editing style or personality through your work?

VC: My editing style is best described as fast-paced and fun, which comes from my love for keeping things energetic and engaging. I focus on rhythmic, quick cuts that keep the viewer on their toes and prevent any moment from dragging. I’m always looking for ways to inject personality, whether it’s through surprising transitions, clever use of sound design, or adding a playful visual element to punch up a moment. I believe that even serious projects can benefit from a dynamic pace, and my goal is always to make the final product feel lively, polished, and enjoyable to watch.

AX: What’s the most challenging kind of spot to cut, and what makes it rewarding once it clicks?

VC: Editing becomes difficult when there isn’t enough footage or when the footage is poorly shot because the editor has very few usable options to work with. Without extra clips, it’s hard to hide cuts, smooth out awkward moments, or show important parts of the story, which can make the final video feel choppy or confusing. Poor footage also requires a lot of time to fix, like stabilizing shaky shots or cleaning up bad audio, and even after all that work, it may still not look professional. If the material captured isn’t strong, the editor is limited in how well they can shape the story, which makes the entire process more challenging.

AX: What’s something that might seem simple to outsiders but is actually really complex in editing?

VC: To outsiders, keeping video editing organized might seem like a simple task, just name a few files and keep things in folders, but in reality, it’s a constantly moving puzzle that requires a ton of attention. I’m juggling multiple softwares, multiple versions of clips, different formats, audio layers, graphics, color grades, revisions, and client requests, all while trying to keep the timeline clean and functional. One change in the footage or a single misplaced file can break an entire sequence, and suddenly I’m spending hours troubleshooting instead of editing. 

AX: What kind of feedback helps you the most in the editing process? 
VC: When receiving feedback, the more concise and specific it is, the faster I can improve the video. General notes like "make it feel punchier" or "I don't like the color" require me to spend unnecessary time guessing what the person is actually looking for, often resulting in several rounds of revisions. Concrete and simple comments allow me to make the change accurately and immediately. This clarity drastically reduces guessing, keeps the project moving forward efficiently, and ultimately leads to a better final product much quicker.

AX: How do you know when a piece is finished?
VC: I don’t think I would ever know when a piece is finished, I’d continue tweaking it forever.

AX: What is your ideal type of project to edit? 

VC: I enjoy editing fast-paced, short ads because they let me be creative while keeping the energy high and the message clear. In a short format, every second matters, so I get to make quick, dynamic decisions with cuts, music, and visuals that keep the viewer engaged. There’s no room for filler. I focus only on the most exciting and impactful moments. The fast pace makes the editing process feel active and hands-on, and it’s satisfying to see how my choices directly shape the rhythm and feel of the ad. Overall, I like that short ads let me tell a strong story quickly and in a visually compelling way.

AX: How has technology changed the way you approach editing over the years? 

VC: New video editing technologies over the last few years have changed my approach by making the process faster, smoother, and more creative. With tools like rotobrush, motion tracking, AI audio cleanup, and improved color grading features, I can now fix issues and try ideas that used to take hours in just a few clicks. This means I spend less time on tedious technical tasks and more time shaping the story and experimenting with style. I’ve also become more willing to try bold transitions, faster pacing, and unique visual effects because the software makes it easier to test and refine them. Overall, these advancements have allowed me to focus more on creativity and storytelling, rather than being held back by technical limitations.

AX: What’s your biggest “editor pet peeve”?

VC: My biggest video editing pet peeve is being disorganized because it completely slows down the creative process. When I have to take over someone else’s project and their files, sequences, and assets are all over the place, I end up spending more time figuring out where everything is than actually editing. Instead of being able to get into a flow and make creative decisions, I’m stuck renaming clips, rearranging folders, and cleaning up timelines. It’s frustrating because it’s avoidable, and good organization not only saves time but also keeps the project flexible for changes. For me, a clean project structure is what allows creativity to actually happen.

AX: What’s a recent commercial, movie, or series whose editing stood out to you?

VC: I liked the editing style of Apple TV’s The Studio because the long, uncut scenes let the chaos play out in a way that made everything feel so much funnier. Instead of cutting around the action or polishing moments to feel neat, the editors let situations unravel in real time, which made every awkward pause, overlapping conversation, and frantic reaction even more hilarious. The humor came from watching the characters struggle and stumble without relief, and the lack of cuts made me feel like I was right in the room with them as things spiraled.

AX: How do you continue to evolve your craft as an editor?

VC: I’ve joined forums and online communities related to video editing such as Reddit's r/Editors, r/AfterEffects, and r/MotionDesign subreddits. There, I can find discussions among professionals and enthusiasts that often highlight emerging technologies and techniques. I regularly check industry blogs, websites, and news sources dedicated to video editing that can provide valuable insights. Websites like Creative Bloq, PremiumBeat, and No Film School often feature articles on the latest tools, software updates, and trends in video editing. I also follow industry leaders on YouTube and Instagram.

AX: What makes a great creative partnership for you?

VC: When it comes to video editing, a great creative partnership is rooted in open-mindedness and a willingness to explore new ideas because the best work emerges from constructive collaboration, not rigid adherence to a single vision. I find that when my creative partners are open to unconventional music choices, challenging my pacing, or even completely restructuring a sequence, it pushes the project past the obvious and into something truly distinctive. Being open to new ideas means we can avoid getting stuck in a creative rut.

AX: How do you stay inspired creatively between projects?

VC: There is a constant challenge to keep up with technology as it rapidly advances. I always try to be open-minded about new technology and how it can be adapted into my projects.