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Editors – Richie Edelson and Sarah Zeitlin
The ABBOTT ELEMENTARY editing team of Richie Edelson and Sarah Zeitlin walked similar but separate paths in the early stages of their careers. Each cut their editorial teeth in the world of unscripted and both took a turn at the same mockumentary sitcom format that they would employ in the show that finally united them as co-editors.
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary sitcom created by Quinta Brunson for ABC. It stars Brunson as Janine Teagues, an optimistic second-grade teacher at the poorly funded Willard R. Abbott Elementary School; a predominantly Black Philadelphia public school where a documentary crew is recording the lives of teachers working in underfunded, mismanaged schools. Although conditions at the school are harsh and most teachers don’t last more than two years, Teagues is determined to help her students despite the circumstances.
RICHIE EDELSON
Richie’s early career path found him in the cutting rooms of popular unscripted series such as PROJECT RUNWAY (2008), REAL CHANCE OF LOVE (2008-09) and ROB DYRDEK’S FANTASY FACTORY (2009). Soon after he would get to flex his comedy chops on sitcoms like PARKS AND RECREATION (2012-13), BLACK-ISH (2014-17) and SUPERSTORE (2017-21). It would be Edelson at the helm of the Avid when it came time to develop the pilot for the soon-to-be hit series, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (2021-23).
SARAH ZEITLIN
Like Richie, Sarah has also logged a few miles on the road of reality television; assisting on HELL’S KITCHEN (2008), plus assisting and editing on THE MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER (2008-11). But it would be assisting on the mockumentary hits MODERN FAMILY (2009-10) and PARKS AND RECREATION (2012) that would be a sign of things to come for her role as editor on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (2022-23). Sarah’s work as an editor can also be seen in dramas like HOMELAND (2017-20) and MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (2021).
Editing Abbott Elementary
In our discussion with the ABBOTT ELEMENTARY editing team of Richie Edelson and Sarah Zeitlin, we talk about:
- The hidden benefits of commercial breaks
- The anatomy of a mockumentary sitcom
- The truth of building a character through comedy
- The sound of silence or just a bad speaker?
- Lovely parting gifts
The Credits
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