As a creative, you hold immense power. A few cuts can change the context of a moment and shape the perception of reality. But when you're staring at 10 hours of raw footage, the first challenge isn't philosophical—it's practical. Where do you even begin?
On a recent podcast, we sat down with Jimmy Nick, the editor behind creators like SoupTimmy, Kelly Wakasa, Luke Eich, and Ari Elkins who collectively have hundreds of millions of views. He broke down his exact system for turning a mountain of chaotic footage into a story that hooks an audience and holds their attention.
Instead of getting overwhelmed, Jimmy tackles every project using his Block-by-Block Editing System.
Step 1: The Raw Cut. Your only goal is to cut out the dead space. Get the footage from 10 hours down to 2. Don't think about story or pacing yet.
Step 2: "Murder Your Darlings." Now, start cutting scenes and shots that, while good, don't serve the core narrative or slow the pacing. Be ruthless.
Step 3: Add Music & Sound. This is where emotion is born. Find the right track that matches the creator's personality, and the story will begin to reveal itself.
Step 4: Polish & Revise. Add the final touches and collaborate with the creator to bring the vision home.
Jimmy pointed to the cinematic "I Quit Cubing" video he edited for SoupTimmy. Its success wasn't just in the edit; it was in the collaborative pre-planning. Timmy scripted the video and planned shots in advance, and they sent early cuts to other creators for feedback. By building a strong foundation before the edit, the final story was more focused and emotionally resonant.
This is just a fraction of the insight Jimmy shared. To hear him break down how to manage client relationships, use AI as an editing tool, and build the right mindset for success, listen to the full episode now.
For You to Ponder
Jimmy's work lives at the center of a critical question for any modern storyteller: Where do you draw the line between crafting a compelling story and manipulating reality?
He believes in exaggerating for emotional effect, but never lying. He’ll show a creator chickening out of a stunt but use humor to soften it, or use a clip filmed a week later to fulfill a promise made in the intro. He’s delivering the truth of the story, even if he bends the timeline.
How do you navigate this line in your own work?