The senior Trim editor reflects on the lessons learned cutting promos early in his career, returning to music videos this year for Jon Hopkins, and the special place in his heart for Steven Spielberg.

Like many other of London's top editors now working mainly in commercials, Thomas Grove Carter cut his teeth cutting music videos - in all shapes and sizes and in large numbers. Back in the early 2010s, his prolific output included some of the outstanding promos of the times, working with a generation of directors also making their mark. It's probably easier to list the emerging directing talent of that era that he didn't work with.

Thomas has been with Trim Editing since 2013, where he is now one of the Whitechapel-based editing company's most experienced and garlanded editors. Working mainly in commercials, his credits include acclaimed ads by the likes of Daniel Wolfe, Kim Gehrig, Sebastian Strasser, Chris Barrett & Luke Taylor - and most recently on a new Apple ad with Place Beyond The Pines director Derek Cianfrance.

He's also making time for the right music video project, and in the past year that's included promos for Peggy Gou, Judeline and Jon Hopkins - with another longtime collaborator Dave Bullivant. What better excuse to have Thomas participate in the latest Snapshot Q&A...    

Name: Thomas Grove Carter

Birthday: April

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Surrey. I’m half-Danish, half-English.

Place of further education and course (if any)? Film & Video Production at University for the Creative Arts - Farnham

Where do you live now? Walthamstow, London

What were the important first projects for you, in terms of a learning experience and getting noticed?

I cut so many music videos in my first few years. Just cutting loads and loads was really important to me. Even if the videos were sometimes bad, they all added to my creative skills, confidence and relationships with directors.

The ones with the ‘worst’ rushes are often the one where you learn most. You’re the last one who can make it something good - and that's exciting.

I’m not sure there is one project that got me noticed. It’s always been about the relationships I’ve built with people. But my first MVA nomination, for editing Hadouken!'s Mic Check in 2010, was lovely. I was really proud of that performance cut, so it was great to be nominated alongside so much amazing work - I think Jay Z's On To The Next One rightly won!

Best film you’ve seen this year? The Zone Of Interest. The sound alone was incredible.

Favourite music video you’ve seen this year? It’s probably more than a year now, but I still just love Mette's Mamas Eyes.

The ones with the ‘worst’ rushes are often where you learn the most.

Name a film or video or other creative work that had a huge influence on your career choice?

Any Spielberg film I saw as a kid. Being 9 years old and seeing Jurassic Park in the cinema is still my favourite film experience. I still have a book of the original storyboards in my edit suite.

In terms of music video-related jobs of the past year or so - what was the most rewarding creatively, and why?

Jon Hopkins' RITUAL (evocation) [directed by Dave Bullivant]. It’s a pretty long track, with a very simple video concept. It was a real balancing act and a joy to help bring it to life. Jon came in and worked for a time with us, that was really creatively rewarding.

And any music video project that completely sucked? Yes. [REDACTED] was a bad video to work on. Hated the process and the result.

What are your favourite other (non-mv) projects of the past year or so? I’ve just finished a project for Apple called The Relay. It was directed by Derek Cianfrance and feels like we created something quite special.

Most annoying/irksome thing that’s been going on this year (work-related or otherwise)? The far right. Always annoying.

Your top suggestion to change and improve how the music video industry works? Give people more time. Deadlines are arbitrary.

What are you looking forward to most for the rest of the year? Working with inspiring people - and a trip back to Denmark with my wife and kids.

• Thomas Grove Carter is an editor at Trim Editing. View his showreel here.