Greg Ng Breaks Down the Editing of the Horror Hit, Backrooms
Editor Greg Ng (Longlegs, The Monkey) opens up about the intricate process of cutting Backrooms – an internet sensation turned feature film directed by the visionary Kane Parsons. @kanepixels
Discover the unique challenges and creative solutions behind bringing this liminal horror world to life!
In this discussion, Greg reveals:
His philosophy of "restraint" in editing, particularly within the Backrooms' endless corridors
The balancing act of a slow-burn pace versus modern audience expectations, and why Kane's approach won out
Collaborating with a director who uses Blender to create shots on demand
How a simple idea led to the film's iconic "descent shot" teaser
Maintaining geographic awareness within a sprawling 30,000 sq ft practical set
The bizarre yet effective sound design, including Kane's specific "hum" for the fluorescent lights
Developing characters like Clark and Mary, and the film's exploration of memory and reality
The unexpected origins of the cheesy sci-fi movie Clark is watching
This interview is a masterclass in modern horror filmmaking, exploring how a new generation is redefining cinematic storytelling.
00:00:00 Introduction to Greg Ng & The Backrooms Phenomenon
00:00:36 Connecting with Kane Parsons & The Origin Story
00:02:26 Translating Internet Creepypasta to Feature Film
00:04:33 Adhering to and Departing from the YouTube Series Tone
00:07:36 Video Game Influences and First-Person POV
00:09:15 The Philosophy of Restraint in a Liminal Space Film
00:12:12 Working with a Young, Visionary Director
00:14:13 The Vancouver Film Family & Familiar Collaborators
00:16:47 Cutting Room Location and On-Set Objectivity
00:18:37 Initial Editorial Challenges: Story, Tone, and Character Balance
00:20:42 Kane's Blender Contributions in the Edit Suite
00:23:36 Blender for Previs and the VHS VFX Pipeline
00:24:43 Single Camera Shoot and Managing Extensive Coverage
00:26:07 Sorting Through Identical Yellow Hallways
00:27:26 Trusting the "Slow Burn" Pacing for Modern Audiences
00:30:25 The Impact and Use of Wide Shots
00:32:51 Spatial Logic and Clark's Backrooms Map
00:34:25 The "Window Within" Self-Help Audiobook Montage
00:36:03 Clark's Reliability vs. Mary's Perspective
00:37:59 Developing Kat and Bobby's Characters
00:40:35 The Cheesy Sci-Fi Movie Cameo: "Santa Claus Versus the Martians"
00:41:55 Edit-Driven VFX Ideas Born in the Timeline
00:43:55 The Iconic Backrooms Soundscape and Humming Fluorescents
00:47:04 The Director as Co-Composer: Kane Parsons' Musical Process
00:49:25 Easter Eggs and Layers of Interpretation
00:50:30 Personal Impact: Dreams After Months in the Backrooms
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