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Meet the Collective: Savannah Bayse
How a Lukewarm First Impression Turned Into One of My Closest Collaborations
James Barker
July 31, 2025
When I first met Savannah, I wasn’t sure if she liked me.
(Don’t worry, this is a positive story about collaboration and friendship.)
I had just been hired at a production company in New York, and Savannah was the Post-Production Supervisor. I’ll be honest: I wasn’t the best employee. I was always kind, that’s a given, but the work? A little lacking.
Even so, Savannah was a good boss to work under. She was fair, direct, and patient, even when I wasn’t quite delivering.
*me and Savannah then
Maybe it was my own anxiety, but I felt like I was letting her down.
At first.
But over the course of a few years, we started to understand each other: me with my endless yapping and high energy, and Savannah with her grounded, calm presence. We found our rhythm.
*me and Savannah now
Years later, when Richard and I were making Remnants of Nova, we knew we wanted a queer person to edit the film. Someone who could bring the right perspective and care to the project. That person was Savannah. She’s not only thoughtful and intentional in her edits, she’s also one of the hardest-working and most talented editors I know.
Now, more than four years after that lukewarm first impression, Savannah is one of my closest friends. (She and her fiancé Doug even came to my bachelor weekend.) It’s a privilege to work with her.
Most recently, Savannah edited two ad campaigns for Shake Shack and a docu-special for NJPBS. Click the links to watch them!
Below is a short Q&A I did with Savannah so you can get to know her better.
If you’re looking for an editor who works their butt off and is also a genuinely kind human being, Savannah is your person.
Q: What’s a recent project you’ve worked on that felt exciting or creatively fulfilling?
A: Vegan Pop Eats for NJ PBS was a wonderful project to be a part of. The edit was fun and upbeat, and the team was an absolute pleasure to work with. I enjoyed being able to support local programming and help tell stories about real people in the NJ/NYC area.
Vegan Pop Eats with Angela Yvonne (2025) - NJ PBS - Edited by Savannah Bayse
A: Do you have a go-to creative tool, software, or workflow hack you swear by?
Oh, it’s probably my keyboard shortcuts in Premiere. Memorizing the shortcut to opening the “Effect Controls” panel has saved me years of my life. I don’t need to think about my keystrokes anymore. Also, I ***never delete anything*** 💀
Q: What’s a piece of media (film, show, music, book) that’s inspired you lately?
A: Just watched No Country for Old Men for the first time. Incredible. Cast, cinematography, editing, direction… everything is excellent. Made me want to read the book.
Uppercut (2025) - Starring Ving Rhames - Lionsgate - Edited by Savannah Bayse
Q: How did you get into this line of work? What drew you to post-production (or your specialty)?
A: I was drawn to film through writing and story. Editing appeals to my storytelling bones. I love being part of the finishing process—the perfectionist part of making a film—and exporting the final version. I also found I had an aptitude for the more technical side of the job.
Q: When you’re not working, where can we find you?
A: Reading a book, or writing my own stories, probably while snuggling with my cat.
Remnants of Nova (2024) - Directed by James Barker - Edited by Savannah Bayse
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I played the violin and was in orchestra for many years.
Q: Is there a link you want us to plug? Portfolio, Instagram, etc.?
A: Follow me on Instagram @savannahbayse
Savannah Bayse (she/they) | Video Editor |📍New YorkG:
🎬 Edits Etc. is a post-production collective built by artists, for artists. We bring stories to life with a full-service approach to editing, sound, color, and motion—always rooted in collaboration, integrity, and craft.
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