Story & Lesson Highlights with Spenser Reich ACE of Echo Park

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Spenser Reich ACE. Check out our conversation below.

Spenser, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Editing, editing, editing! I’m currently working on a first season show and it’s pretty all-encompassing. A normal weekday starts and ends working on this show, so on the weekends when I’m not working, I try to find balance by going to the dog park, spending time with loved ones, or sneaking out of town for quick trips.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an Editor for film and TV, currently working on the first season Netflix series, ‘Nemesis’ which will premiere in 2026. As an Editor, I receive the footage that’s been filmed on set and shape it to tell the best version of the story possible, working closely with the directors, producers, etc. to achieve their vision.

Editing is such a unique part of filmmaking because so much of our time is spent alone, yet it’s still very much a collaborative art form. A lot of the time, it’s just me in the edit bay, puzzling the footage together, but then the directors and producers come in, and it becomes this really creative, team-driven process. I love both aspects of it: the alone time where you discover the story and the collaboration where you get to elevate it together into its final form.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
First and foremost, my parents. They didn’t teach me specifically about editing, as I’m the first one in my family to follow the filmmaking path, but they instilled a really strong work ethic in me. Both of my parents are incredibly hardworking and encouraged me to not only work hard, but also to take pride in my work from a very young age.

If we’re talking more specifically about working on my craft, I’ve had so many mentors along the way and I always feel like I’m still learning. I was lucky enough to work under Editor, Stewart Schill, early in my TV days who taught me so much about the process. He was patient, generous, and helped me navigate all the things I didn’t yet know I didn’t know. He was a great teacher.

Beyond that, I’ve been really lucky to collaborate with some incredible showrunners and directors over the years. I’ve learned so much from each of them and they’ve each impacted my editing immeasurably.

Right now, I’m working with Courtney A. Kemp on ‘Nemesis.’ It’s actually the second time I’ve had the chance to collaborate with her, and every editing session we have is a masterclass in storytelling. I’m very aware of how lucky I am to be learning from someone with such an incredible understanding of what makes great television.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During the strikes, when work had really slowed down, was the only time I ever seriously considered switching career paths. It was the first time I truly questioned whether I was still an Editor, or if editing was even a sustainable career. I’d always heard from more seasoned filmmakers that you have to ride the ups and downs of the industry, but living through it was a real challenge. What kept me going was my love for storytelling and the reminder that the hard times would eventually pass.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Education. It’s so important to constantly read, watch, and listen to stay aware of what’s happening inside and outside of the industry. We’ve already experienced so many cultural and technological changes impacting the way we watch films and TV, so you have to really pay attention to what’s going on, big picture. Over time, you start to recognize what’s a fad versus the real foundational shifts.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
There are a few career goals I’ve reached where, once I achieved them, I felt proud but also a little sad. I remember talking to a friend and mentor about it, wondering if I was being ungrateful or if he understood the feeling. What he said really stayed with me because it rang true.

I’m paraphrasing, but he essentially said that when you’re a highly ambitious person, you love having goals. Reaching the goals can be a bit of a letdown because you were prepared for the journey, worked hard for it, struggled for it, but you didn’t necessarily the take time to think about what the destination would feel like. The journey is where you find purpose.

Ultimately, it’s about balance. I can’t be totally satisfied because I still have so much passion for my career. That restlessness is motivating, but I always try to remember how far I’ve come and to stay grateful for that as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spenserreich.com
• Instagram: @spenserreich
• Other: https://imdb.me/spenserreich