Cutting for Impact: The Art and Partnership Behind The Last of Us | Tim Good & Emily Mendez

Every iconic TV moment owes something to the editor’s eye — the pacing of a breath, the cutaway that lands just right, the silence that says everything. Editors Timothy A. Good, ACE, and Emily Mendez know this better than most.

Tim and Emily open up about the choices and challenges behind some of television’s most talked-about episodes, unpacking everything from emotional restraint to the delicate choreography of cutting between performances. Whether they’re building battle scenes or slow-burning love stories, they approach every frame with intention, care, and trust in their collaborators. They also reflect on the pressure of fan expectations, their approach to character-driven editing, and the lessons they've learned through mentorship — both giving and receiving. It’s a rare peek into the edit bay for series like The Last of Us, where they worked together to shape episodes including the widely praised, Emmy-winning “Long, Long Time,” which received the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series.

This is also a tale of creative partnership, blending Tim’s experience with Emily’s distinctive voice to shape powerful storytelling in the editing room. Timothy A. Good, ACE, is a veteran editor with over 25 years of experience shaping hit series like Fringe, The Umbrella Academy, The Resident, and The Last of Us. Known for his collaborative style and editorial intuition, he’s also an educator at UCLA and a dedicated mentor whose guidance has helped launch the careers of many editors — including Emily Mendez. Tim’s accolades include a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series, the American Cinema Editors’ Best Edited Drama Series award, and nominations from the Hollywood Professional Association and the BFE Cut Above Awards for his work on The Last of Us. IMDB Instagram Emily Mendez is an accomplished, dynamic editor recognized for her ability to shape emotional, resonant scenes. After earning her MFA from the American Film Institute, she worked on Rosewood, Light as a Feather, and The Umbrella Academy. On The Last of Us, she rose from assistant editor to co-editor alongside Tim and now edits episodes independently, bringing her voice to some of the show’s most powerful and memorable moments. Emily has been awarded a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series, a BFE Above the Cut Award, and received a nomination from the Hollywood Professional Association for her work on The Last of Us. IMDB Instagram