Have you been grinding it out, "paying your dues" on the job, sacrificing social and family life, hoping that one day it will pay off and you'll finally land the top level, “tentpole” gigs you've been dreaming about your whole career?

Or maybe you're just starting your career and you're wondering how much you need to sacrifice in order to achieve your lifelong dream of winning major awards and if it’s even worth it?

Most importantly, perhaps you’re constantly asking yourself:

“Is it even possible to work as a successful creative professional and still enjoy spending time with family and friends, taking time off to enjoy vacations, and having time to pursue other interests and goals in life?”

I can't think of anyone more qualified to answer these questions than my good friend, mentor, and Hollywood tentpole editor Alan Bell, ACE who has edited such films as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay (parts 1 &2), The Amazing Spider-Man, and 500 Days of Summer, to name a very select few.

In this conversation Alan freely shares his habits and routines and the changes he's made to keep himself healthy and sane during his insanely demanding work schedules. He reveals his honest thoughts on how many hours need to be worked and whether anything can be done to change the demands placed upon editors & creative professionals in the entertainment industry. He also shares some of the perks that come with being at the top and working on big budget films while offering tips that anyone can implement for healthier snacking and higher energy levels throughout your workday.

One quick caveat: This interview was originally recorded several years ago back in the “Fitness In Post” days, so you'll hear some references to that program along with some talk about working in offices, (remember that??) clearly pre-pandemic. But the topics of discussion are still relevant issues that we're all confronting today, so for those that missed this interview the first time, I hope it provides as much value now as it did when it was first released.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How post production affected his competitive rock climbing career.
The routine Alan developed to help himself lose 23 pounds in 4 and a half months.
Why counting calories is not an effective long-term weight loss strategy.
How counting calories can be useful as an initial barometer for what you’re eating and building awareness around that.
The mindset shift that Alan used to create healthier eating habits.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Food is nourishment for the mind and body.
How Alan recalibrated his fullness level and began to understand how the types of calories he eats affects his hunger levels and how he feels.
The difference between emotional eating and eating to fuel your body.
A day in the life of Alan Bell on a tent pole film.
Alan's honest assessment of the hours he works and what it takes to work at the level he works at on a consistent basis.
How Alan has improved his memory over the last 4 months.
The role that finances play in your ability to choose the right projects and take the downtime you need.
Healthy replacements for snacking habits.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

MyFitnessPal

How ‘Midnight Rider’ Victim Sarah Jones Lost Her Life: A Train, a Narrow Trestle and 60 Seconds to Escape – The Hollywood Reporter

Continue to Listen & Learn

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

alan-bell-bio

Film editor Alan Edward Bell A.C.E., is best known for his work on (500) Days of Summer, ‘Water For Elephants’, ‘The Amazing Spiderman’, and the last three installments of the “Hunger Games” series. His resume spans 30 years in post-production, and includes a long list of credits in editorial as well as visual effects. Over the last 15 years he has been pushing the limits of what is possible in the cutting room by blending visual effects and editing techniques. Alan currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Ep155: How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACE

The Zack Arnold Podcast