The career of Anne-Laure D’hooghe is a story of curiosity, determination, and creativity. Starting as a receptionist at a post house, she worked her way up to become a video editor at Rock Paper Scissors, where she has spent nearly a decade honing her craft.
In this interview, Anne-Laure shares the moments that sparked her love for editing, her approach to storytelling, and the creative risks that have paid off in her work.
She also discusses the importance of pacing, underrated skills every great editor should have, and how she stays inspired through collaboration and community.
FILMSUPPLY: What inspired you to pursue a career in video editing? And how did your journey lead you to Rock Paper Scissors?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I’ve loved movies for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t know anyone in the industry. It just felt like a circle I’d never be able to be a part of. I pursued a career in semiotics, got a side job as a receptionist at a post house, and the rest is history.
I worked my way up and freelanced for many years. It wasn’t until I started working at Rock Paper Scissors that I wanted to settle in at one place. The positive thing about freelancing for many post houses is that I learned exactly what I liked and didn’t like. And from the start at Rock Paper Scissors, I felt right at home.
From music videos to brand campaigns, you’ve worked on diverse projects. How do you adapt your editing style across different genres and formats?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: The first project I ever worked on was a feature documentary. It was the perfect project to try different things, and I really gained confidence from it.
My style has never changed per se, but I have learned to make adjustments as I’ve explored new genres and formats.
The first project you take on in any new format is always going to be difficult — especially knowing that other editors are more experienced in that area. But I believe everyone can bring their own touch to a project. And that’s a beautiful thing.
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How has working at Rock Paper Scissors shaped your approach to editing?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: One of the best things about Rock Paper Scissors is that we have an incredible support system. No matter how difficult the project is, I know I can count on my producer and assistant—or even my peers—to give their input.
I’m always open to criticism, and I truly think it’s a force. I’ve also had the chance to collaborate with top directors and clients throughout the years. Doing so has definitely made me a better editor.
What excites you most about editing and where the industry is headed?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: Whenever I start a new project, I’m still excited to pull selects and haven’t tired of it. I tend to be a little anxious, so I always feel very proud at the end of a project. But I still find it exciting every single time—no matter the scale of it.
I know A.I. is now taking more and more space in the industry, and I’m open to seeing how it can be an asset in the future.
I’m also loving the waves of new directors; I find their work really impressive. In recent years, directors haven’t necessarily stayed confined to their countries. You see directors from other continents directing US music videos and commercials and vice versa, and I think that’s really awesome.
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How do you elevate storytelling and evoke emotions in your edit?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: To me, pacing is everything in an edit—it’s the key to conveying the feelings. I spend a lot of time timing everything until it seems quite perfect. I really don’t want to cut anything unnecessary, and if the acting holds up and the image is beautiful, I could hold a shot for as long as possible.
I like starting everything a little slower and then tidying it up as needed.
What’s the biggest creative risk you’ve taken in an edit, and how did it pay off?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I can’t say I’ve only taken one risk, but I love it when directors and clients are also on board to try anything. I’ve been lucky to take several creative risks.
In a spot I worked on for a Corcoran campaign, I used a song that was more modern than they had in mind, and they ended up loving it.
On the Locals Only film, the dialogue wasn’t working as well as anticipated. I ended up cutting most of it out, so the film ends up with almost no dialogue. It still was a huge hit.
What’s an underrated skill every great editor should have?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I’m quite shy. Before working in the industry, I thought being an editor meant working by myself in the dark for hours. I never thought of the human side of it.
We sometimes have to sit for 12+ hours with various clients with various personalities (sometimes days at a time). So, a strong human side and patience are very important.
Is there a project that stands out as a favorite or one you’re most proud of?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I actually feel pretty proud of every project I work on because I put so much care into them. But I particularly loved the short film Locals Only, which takes place during Apartheid-era South Africa, as well as The Future is Worn, which is a beautiful dream/dance sequence.
I love any type of dance. And although it’s a difficult exercise to put together, I truly enjoy cutting dance pieces, so I was really proud of this one. I can say the same for the “Sisterhood” piece, which uses Step dance.
How do you stay inspired and keep evolving your craft as an editor?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I am a big TV and film consumer, and I also keep up with directors and other editors’ work via social media. I am very lucky to be based in New York, where a ton of cool stuff is happening all the time.
There are also some super cool social clubs, such as Slmbr Party or Girls in Films, that host events, and it’s such a great way to meet other people from the industry.
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Why would you recommend Filmsupply as a resource for editors, agencies, and post houses?
Anne-Laure D’hooghe: I love the quality of the footage. I also love that it doesn’t look like stock footage. It usually blends very easily and the type of footage that can be found on there is super modern and diverse.
It’s definitely come in handy a couple of times, and the search function is very easy to use. I cannot recommend it enough.
