This is an article based on an episode of Manhattan Edit Workshop’s “Talking MEWShop.” You can watch the conversation by following or subscribing to the show HERE.
In a recent episode of Talking MEWShop, Raphi Salem hosted a compelling conversation with Debora Emilio, a rising talent in the post-production world, joined by Manhattan Edit Workshop (MEWShop) founders Josh Apter and Jason Banke. The focus was Debora’s journey from journalism in Brazil to a flourishing assistant editor role at AMC, achieved largely through remote opportunities and the transformative power of hands-on education.
Josh opened the discussion with MEWShop’s mission: equipping aspiring editors with practical, career-focused skills. This mission took a major turn in 2020 with the onset of COVID-19. What was once a firmly in-person training model was forced to adapt overnight into a fully remote learning environment. Debora, as it turns out, was one of the first students to take the class in this new format.
Debora shared her story of pivoting—from an unfulfilling career in journalism and childcare to pursuing a lifelong love of storytelling through editing. After moving from Brazil to South Carolina, she discovered MEWShop and took a leap of faith, planning a move to New York for the six-week workshop. Just as she was finalizing arrangements, the pandemic struck. But what initially felt like a setback became a blessing in disguise, allowing her to complete the course from home at a lower cost.
Despite initial skepticism about online learning, Debora praised the quality of MEWShop’s remote classes and instructors. “Janet and Mark were so engaged and accessible, it didn’t even feel like an online class,” she said. However, her journey wasn’t smooth sailing—after finishing the program, she faced a full year of unemployment due to industry-wide pandemic shutdowns. Her breakthrough came when MEWShop helped her land an internship with ITV, which led to a full-time assistant editor role.
Since then, she’s worked on docuseries for Discovery+, Bravo, and WE tv, and is now with AMC’s marketing team. All of this, she noted, happened from her home in South Carolina. While remote work has opened doors, Debora also expressed a desire for more in-person collaboration, highlighting how valuable mentorship and spontaneous questions can be when starting out.
Her advice to aspiring editors? Stay curious, be open to technology, and always ask questions. “People would rather answer a hundred questions than fix a mess later,” she joked. Jason Banke and Josh Apter echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that courage and curiosity are critical for growth.
Debora’s story is more than a career path—it’s a lesson in adaptability, grit, and the power of the right educational community at the right time.