Sight, Sound & Story: Behind the Edit "A House of Dynamite"

Inside the Episode: What really happens in the edit bay when a story finds its final shape? In this episode of Sight, Sound & Story, we go behind the edit with Academy Award–winning Editor Kirk Baxter, ACE, as he breaks down his work on "A House of Dynamite."

Baxter will share how his editing choices shaped the film’s rhythm, tone, and emotional impact. The conversation will explore how performances, pacing, and structure developed over time, from early cuts to the final version. The discussion will also touch on collaboration and the behind-the-scenes work that turns footage into a finished story. Moderated by Chad Anderson, the conversation will dig into Baxter’s approach to storytelling, his relationship with the director, Kathryn Bigelow, and the challenges unique to "A House of Dynamite." This episode is a must-watch for editors, filmmakers, and anyone curious about how a story is truly built in post-production.

Moderator: Chad Anderson (Manhattan Edit Workshop & Brookdale Community College)

Panelists: Kirk Baxter, ACE ("The Social Network,“ "The Girl with Dragon Tattoo")

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When: Thursday, January 8th, 2026

Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT

General Admission: FREE!

All attendees who register for this event will receive a link and password before the start of the event. This will gain free access for attendees. This will also give free replays for 48 hours.

PANELISTS:

Kirk Baxter, ACE, has been recognized with Academy Awards for editing "The Social Network" and "The Girl with Dragon Tattoo" and has received multiple nominations and wins from the American Cinema Editors.

Chad Anderson is a college professor, animation geek, poet, video editor & skateboarder from the Jersey Shore. He has worked on a range of editing and visual FX projects for corporate, educational, broadcast, non-profit, and military organizations all over the country (and once in Korea). Previous clients have included E! Entertainment, "The Charlie Rose Show," the WB, The Count Basie Theatre and a film that went straight to video with John Stamos in it. He holds a Master’s in Education from NJCU and has been teaching for over 18 years.

MASTER STORYTELLER SPONSORS:

TECHNOLOGY SPONSORS: