In the latest episode of Pizza Film School Season 3, the Russo Brothers sit down with longtime collaborator and legendary editor Jeff Ford, the mind behind the seamless cuts, iconic scenes, and even a few unforgettable lines in Avengers: Endgame, Winter Soldier, The Electric State, and more.

Over slices from Milo & Olive in Santa Monica, Jeff unpacks the editorial process, how he crafts tension and rhythm, and what it takes to cut a movie that defines an era of cinema.

The Cut That Changed the MCU

Jeff Ford may have been the editor for Avengers: Endgame—but he also helped rewrite cinematic history.
That final line—“I am Iron Man”—wasn’t in the script. It was Jeff who found the perfect emotional payoff for Tony Stark’s arc… right in the edit bay.

“Sometimes the edit room is where the movie really finds its voice,” Jeff shares.

And in this case, it helped close a 22-movie saga with one unforgettable beat.

What Does a Film Editor Actually Do?

Jeff breaks it down:
📌 Constructing emotion – Knowing when to cut, how to cut, and how to build momentum.
📌 Crafting character arcs – Across scenes, sequences, and sometimes multiple movies.
📌 Collaborating with directors, composers, and VFX – A film editor is at the center of it all.
📌 Finding what’s missing – Not just what to cut, but what to create.

“I see my job as helping the directors tell their story,” Jeff says. “Even if it means reshaping it entirely in the edit.”

The Heart of the Story Lives in the Edit

Working with the Russo Brothers on films like Captain America: Winter Soldier, Infinity War, and now The Electric State, Jeff doesn’t just cut for clarity—he cuts for feeling.

He reveals how important it is to feel empathy for every character—yes, even Thanos. “You have to believe they believe what they’re doing is right,” Jeff says.

That’s what allows audiences to connect, even with villains.

Editing Endgame’s Portal Scene: Orchestrated Chaos

That goosebumps-inducing moment where the heroes return through portals? Jeff helped orchestrate it piece by piece.
🎬 He explains how they built the scene in reshoots.
🎬 How the order of entrances (starting with Black Panther) was chosen for emotional impact.
🎬 And how Alan Silvestri’s music played a crucial role in pacing and tone.

“That whole sequence is about hope returning, slowly,” Jeff says. “We wanted the audience to feel like it was earned.”

‍On The Electric State: New Tech, Same Storytelling

While much of Jeff’s career has centered around fast-paced, large-scale storytelling, The Electric State presented a different challenge—blending heart, emotion, and visual effects into a grounded story about family and loss.

“Michelle and Cosmo’s story was very intimate. It was about holding onto connection in a broken world,” he says. “So we cut like it was a drama, even when it was set in a sci-fi dystopia.”

Why the Editor Is a Storyteller

Jeff doesn’t just stitch footage together. He shapes narrative, unlocks performance, and sometimes even writes the film’s most iconic moments.

“It’s about timing,” he says. “You can’t just show everything—you have to show it at the right moment, or it doesn’t land.”

‍His Advice to Young Editors?

🧠 “Cut everything you can. Make your own stuff. And remember, it’s always about the story.”
📽️ And if you’re in the edit bay thinking something doesn’t feel right? Trust your gut.

One More Thing…

The Russos describe Jeff as the "invisible pulse of the film."
You may not see his face onscreen, but you feel his work in every beat, every pause, every reveal. From action-packed battles to quiet goodbyes, Jeff Ford is the reason they hit like they do.

Watch, Learn, and Grab Another Slice 🍕

Jeff Ford brought us behind the curtain of some of the most emotional and ambitious scenes in modern film. The edit bay has never felt so powerful.

🎥 Watch the full episode here → HERE
📬 AGBOVERSE subscribers got the sneak peek—make sure you’re signed up for more exclusive drops!

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