Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincent Tabaillon.
Hi Vincent, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an independant film editor now based in LA. I started working back in France when I was in my 20’s. over the years, I worked on many movies back in France, mostly comedy.
I was always attracted with the american cinema and culture in general. So when one day an American studio (MARVEL STUDIO) called me to come and edit a movie for them in LA, I did not think twice and pretty much jumped in a plane, and I do not like planes at all…(for the funny story, my friend Gregoire came with me as I was terrified to take the plane..)
That was my first American experience, both for work and personnaly, back in 2008. And it was a blast! I literally fell in love with the city of LA.
Work was hard but so stimulating and motivating. I was living an all time dream, I was working on one of those movies I grew up with and dreamed about my whole life. The movie was The Incredible Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier.
This lasted about 6 months and I had to go back to France, but I knew I wanted to come back and actually move permanently here in LA.
This part was not that easy, my son was 6 at the time and living in France so I could not possibly leave just like that.
Immigration was the other issue, had to find a way to legally come to the US.
I then lived in Paris and London until 2010, where life took a turn and we made the big move, my son and I were gonna come and live in LA.
It was quite last minute and unprepared, I applied for a work visa and wasn’t sure when and if I would have the approuvaI. So I signed up my son to school both in France and LA in case the work visa would not come thru.
We’ve only got the answer mid August, so we packed 2 suitcase and jumped in the plane.
I have now lived in LA for 15 years, my son stayed here with me until he graduated from high school. He now lives back in France.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a big challenge, moving here with my 7 years old son who did not speak any English and I did not have any job or any prospect.
I also only knew 2 people here in LA.
I just took a big chance.
As our departure was quick and last minute, I did not have any place to live at, so I booked a random cheap motel on Hollywood blvd just before we left. Turns out we became good friends with the owners of the motel and we ended up living there for 3 months. It was kind of strange but we made it work!
One of the reasons it took so long to find a regular home to rent was this credit score thing that I knew nothing about, and turned out to be very important for a lot of things.
But we took it one day at the time.
I would say the adaptation was actually very smooth and pleasant. We met so many nice and gentle people relatively fast.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an independant film editor.
Back in France, most movies I made were comedy or independent.
I mostly work on featured action/thriller movies since I started working here in LA.
First movie I made here was The Incredible Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier, we since made numerous films together here and in Europe as well.
I worked with many studios like Sony, Universal, Warner brothers, Paramount… but also some more independantly produced films.
It was and still is not easy to make a mark here in the US as a French film editor, there is a lot of “competition” and it is a tough business. on top of that, you are the outsider so you need to prouve yourself even a little more.
There is many movie I am proud to have cut, on of my best experience, even it was on of the hardest film I had to work on, was Now you see me.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
There are a few things that are completely separate and have nothing to do with my main job.
I collect and restore old vintage trucks, but also vintage camper trailers, I participate in numerous rallies. Vintage camper rallies.
It is my other passion, mostly every minutes I am not editing, I spend under a truck or camper, fixing, rebuilding. As well as car shows and countless swap meet all, over.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vincenttabaillon.net
- Instagram: vincenttabaillon.editor
Image Credits
I do not have many pictures as my work is editing a whole movie, so none of the images are mine. And my work is in front oa computer for the most part…
So I joined a few pictures but I don’t have much more regarding my main activity which is editing sorry.
