The Rough Cut

Editors - Laura Zempel, ACE and Lauren Connelly, ACE
Although BEEF - Season 2 editors Laura Zempel and Lauren Connelly are working together for the first time, this is Laura's second season working on the series.  But despite being new to one another, Laura's and Lauren's talents seamlessly combined to tackle a complex, character-driven "slow burn" with multiple storylines that required a delicate balancing of tone, including both dark comedy and psychological drama.

Created by Korean director Lee Sung Jin (Sonny Lee) for Netflix, Season 2 of BEEF stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as Joshua Martin and Lindsay Crane-Martin, and Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton as Ashley and Austin, two couples; the poor latter two blackmailing the rich former two, using footage Ashley shot of a heated argument which would threaten their image.  Similar to Season 1, this incident escalates into a prolonged feud and a game of cat-and-mouse...minus one dog.
LAURA ZEMPEL
In addition to her Emmy®-winning work on BEEF - Season 1, Laura's skills as an editor can be seen in another Netflix series, SIRENS (2025).  She has also worked on EUPHORIA (2019-22), DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE (2020) and ROOM 104 (2017-19).  Prior to that, she assisted on HOUSE OF CARDS (2014), DEXTER (2011-13) and IF I CAN DREAM (2010).
LAUREN CONNELLY, ACE
Originally from Chantilly, Virginia, Lauren graduated from The University of Southern California with a B.A. in Cinema-Television Production.  Past credits include television shows such as MO on Netflix, GASLIT on Starz, MASTERS OF SEX on Showtime, THE STRAIN on FX, and THE SON on AMC.  Recent feature films include SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE for Amazon Studios, A TOURIST'S GUIDE TO LOVE on Netflix, and Rodrigo Garcia's FOUR GOOD DAYS, which premiered at Sundance.  

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Editor - Brian Philip Davis
Hokum editor Brian Philip Davis teams up once more with director Damian McCarthy.  Prior to this film the two joined forces to craft McCarthy's supernatural thriller, Oddity.  This time out, they double down on the dread and jack up the jump scares to keep audiences on the edge of, and often a few feet above, their seats.

Written and directed by Damian McCarthy, Hokum stars Adam Scott as novelist Ohm Bauman.  When Bauman retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents' ashes, he's consumed by tales of a witch that haunts the honeymoon suite. Soon, disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance force him to confront dark corners of his past.
BRIAN PHILIP DAVIS
Brian Philip Davis is known for his work in genre cinema, with films showcased at major festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, TIFF, FrightFest, and Fantastic Fest. He has a strong ability to work across multiple genres—from horror to comedy—bringing a confident balance of tone that allows each project to feel cohesive, engaging, and distinctive.


In addition to Damian McCarthy's Hokum, Brian's upcoming working also includes The Incomer, a folk comedy (starring Domhnall Gleeson), written and directed by Louis Paxton and winner of the Sundance Film Festival NEXT Innovator Award 2026.
Additional titles include Oddity, Bad Day for the Cut, Boys from County Hell, The Occupant, Here Before, and The Devil's Doorway.
He is a member of Irish Screen Editors, British Film Editors, and BAFTA, and is represented by UTA.
 


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Editor - Nena Erb ACE and Asst. Editor Gioia Caruso
Wonder Man editor Nena Erb and her assistant Gioia Caruso first worked together on the R-rated road trip comedy, Joy Ride. A film that could not be more different than the grounded, character driven tv series, Wonder Man.  Making the dramatic jump in tone and style from Joy Ride to Wonder Man might have been a daunting task for other editorial duos, but Nena's skills as a "digital quilter" and Gioia's talents as "keeper of the footage" helped them rise to the challenge.

In the Marvel Spotlight series Wonder Man, superpowered individuals are banned from working in Hollywood by something known as the Doorman Clause.  This is a challenge faced by struggling actor Simon Williams, who secretly has such powers.  While out on auditions, Simon forms an unlikely friendship with fellow actor, Trevor Slattery.  Together the pair attempt to land roles in a remake of the in-universe superhero film "Wonder Man".
NENA ERB ACE
Nena Erb ACE is an Emmy-winning film and television editor whose career reflects a steady climb to some of today's most high-profile projects. She began her journey in the industry as a production assistant in the art department on MADtv. From there, Nena transitioned into editorial, building a reputation through her work on acclaimed series such as Insecure, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Little America.  For each, her sharp comedic timing and character-driven sensibilities became defining strengths. Nena's work on Insecure earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020, cementing her status as one of the most respected editors working in television today. Her transition into feature filmmaking further expanded her range, with credits including the 2023 film Joy Ride.
GIOIA CARUSO
In addition to her work with Nena on Joy Ride and Wonder Man, Gioia has assisted on such projects as Scream VI, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chicago Fire and Mr. Mercedes.  



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Editor - Joel Negron ACE, Sound Designers - Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
Project Hail Mary editor Joel Negron says that one of the first calls that he makes when he signs on to a new film is to his trusted colleagues in audio post, Erik and Ethan.  And for more than fifteen years the trio has collaborated on a wide variety of films, including the Transformers franchise, Jungle Cruise and Cocaine Bear.  But their latest film with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller would prove to be one of their greatest challenges, but also one of their biggest hits!
Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is a high-stakes sci-fi thriller centered on Ryland Grace, a scientist who wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He soon discovers he is humanity's sole hope for survival, tasked with solving a cosmic mystery to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. As his memories slowly return, Grace must utilize his scientific ingenuity and form an unlikely alliance in the vast loneliness of deep space to complete his desperate mission.


JOEL NEGRON, ACE
Joel Negron is a highly accomplished film editor known for his versatile work across high-octane action blockbusters and visually inventive features. He has a long-standing reputation for managing large-scale productions, with notable credits including Thor: Ragnarok, The Nice Guys, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Negron's ability to balance complex visual effects with rhythmic storytelling has made him a frequent collaborator for top-tier directors, consistently delivering polished, high-energy cinematic experiences.
ERIK AADAHL
Erik Aadahl is a premier sound designer and supervising sound editor whose innovative approach to sonic world-building has earned him multiple Academy Award nominations. He is perhaps best known for creating the distinct mechanical "voices" of the Transformers franchise and for his evocative work on films like Argo, A Quiet Place, and Godzilla. Aadahl's philosophy centers on using sound as a narrative tool to evoke emotion and tension, often blending organic and synthetic textures to create immersive, award-winning soundscapes.
ETHAN VAN DER RYN
Ethan Van der Ryn is a titan in the world of sound design, boasting two Academy Awards for his contributions to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and King Kong. Throughout his prolific career, he has played a pivotal role in defining the auditory identity of major cinematic universes, frequently partnering with Erik Aadahl through their post-production house, E² Sound. From the roaring intensity of Godzilla to the intricate details of the Kung Fu Panda series, Van der Ryn is celebrated for his technical mastery and his ability to elevate storytelling through sophisticated sound editorial.



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Editor - Tim Squyres, ACE
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice editor Tim Squyres has over three decades of experience working with directors such as Ang Lee, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme.  But his latest film marks the first time collaborating with writer/director BenDavid Grabinski.  Together the two navigated the tonal minefield of blending action, comedy, romance and a little time travel, to deliver a raucous romp that spans multiple years in one night.

Set in a highly-stylized criminal underworld, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice follows two (or three) gangsters and the woman they love trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives, one in which a time machine is involved.
TIM SQUYRES ACE
Acclaimed film editor Tim Squyres is best known for his long-standing collaboration with director Ang Lee. A graduate of Cornell University, Squyres began his career in the late 1980s and quickly distinguished himself as a precise and emotionally intuitive storyteller. His early work with Lee on The Wedding Banquet (1993) marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would span decades and include films such as Sense and Sensibility, Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon, Hulk, and Life of Pi. Across these projects, Squyres developed a reputation for crafting nuanced performances and guiding complex narratives with clarity, rhythm, and restraint.
In addition to his work with Lee, Squyres has also collaborated with a range of influential filmmakers, including Robert Altman on Gosford Park and Jonathan Demme on Rachel Getting Married. His versatility across genres—from ensemble dramas to intimate character studies—has earned him multiple Academy Award and American Cinema Editor nominations.




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