Film editor and UCF Film graduate ‘10, Corey Frost, recently edited the indie film Grace Point which was set to release on VOD January 28, 2025. It marks a significant milestone as his first venture into scripted feature film editing after doing documentaries for nearly 15 years post college. Frost shares more about his journey into Hollywood post-production and how younger filmmakers in the college may be able to gain some insight for their own future journey.
Creative Process Behind Grace Point and how documentaries informed my approach to scripted storytelling:
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to work in the film industry. I wasn’t necessarily a cinephile, but the emotion and thrill I felt through filmmaking deeply resonated with me. Grace Point was the culmination of years spent dreaming of becoming a filmmaker as a kid and then 15 years of experience as a documentary editor post college. While at UCF, I made a few narrative films through the film program, but ultimately, I decided to make a documentary for my senior project, thanks to the encouragement of Professor Lisa Mills. She pushed several of us to explore documentaries in a way that was both challenging and rewarding. Since then, I’ve spent my career honing my documentary storytelling skills on projects with ESPN, NFL Films, Netflix, NatGeo, Amazon, and more.
Grace Point, my first scripted feature film, centers around John Owen Lowe, as a teenager named Brandon struggling with addiction. When his father Winston (Andrew McCarthy) brings Brandon to a rehab facility in a rural area, the father-son duo are violently accosted. The goal of this film was always to root it in reality. And my job is to craft the actor’s performances to make them feel believable. In scripted filmmaking, they say you write the film three times: first on the page, then during production, and finally in post. Documentary filmmaking flips that process—most of the writing happens in post, where you’re tasked with shaping an emotional story out of an abundance of material that may not immediately seem connected. There’s no true script. My job as a documentary editor has always been to make sense of it all and craft a story that feels real and resonates with audiences. Having spent so many years doing this, I was able to apply those skills seamlessly to Grace Point.
“Fix it in post” is the mantra in Hollywood, and it’s especially true for smaller-budget indie films like this one. As an editor, you often have to find creative solutions to problems that arise in the footage. For example, there may only be one usable take of a shot due to time or budget constraints, or you might be missing material needed to establish a location, etc. My problem-solving experience in documentary filmmaking—where we often lacked specific shots or dialogue—was invaluable. Those skills helped me navigate similar challenges in Grace Point.”
UCF’s Influence on My Career:
“I almost went to a two-year school for filmmaking, but I had a great mentor growing up, Barbara Groth, who shaped my mindset. She once told me, “The greatest filmmakers in the world have a deep knowledge of the world itself—they didn’t just study filmmaking.” She was right. Attending UCF and having the full four-year college experience profoundly shaped my life and career. It allowed me to immerse myself in a microcosm of society, encountering diverse opinions, cultures, and ideas. Those experiences helped me develop the ability to tell real, authentic stories both in docs and now in scripted.”
Challenges and Rewards of Working in Hollywood Post-Production:
“The film and television industry is fiercely competitive. Everyone wants a piece of the glamour, but getting started is often the hardest challenge, especially now in a world changed by COVID-19, Hollywood strikes, and the recent devastating wildfires. Many industry professionals are out of work, facing uncertain futures. That’s scary.
But strength and perseverance are key. My career has had its ups and downs as well. If you’re passionate about this industry and can find ways to push through difficult times, the rewards can be incredible. I’ve had the honor of meeting some of the most talented and accepting people in post-production. Those friends led to me becoming an affiliate member of American Cinema Editors (ACE) which in turn opened my network to the best film/TV editors on the planet. I’ve had the chance to craft stories that have touched lives around the world on some of the biggest stages. Despite the challenges, the people I’ve met and the ability to create work that leaves an emotional impact makes it all worth it.”
Links:
https://www.gracepointfilm.com/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BlgqXWiDLA
Press Release: https://deadline.com/2024/10/andrew-mccarthy-john-owen-lowe-grace-point-entertainment-squad-american-film-market-1236163457/
People Exclsuive: https://people.com/andrew-mccarthy-john-owen-lowe-grace-point-trailer-exclusive-8759202
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on February 4th, 2025.
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