The reality show RuPaul's Drag Race challenges drag queens to compete in challenges to impress the show’s host, RuPaul. Each episode consists of a main challenge, along with a form of performance or fashion design. The queens then participate in a themed runway show, where one is declared the winner.
RuPaul's Drag Race initially broadcast on Logo and then VH1 before ultimately landing on MTV. Editor Jamie Martin has been working on the show since 2012, when he was hired by production company World of Wonder to be an editor on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 1.
“My editing style ended up being a really good fit for the show and the producers brought me on to RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5,” he recalls. “ Since then, I've edited on the next eleven seasons of Drag Race and counting.”
The editing team has moved to a work-from-home set up, and Martin’s system consists of an Avid NLE, running on a Mac with two monitors.
“One of the challenging aspects of this show is how every episode leans into a different style,” he explains. “From sketch comedy, to musical, to design challenge, to lip-sync battle, and this season, even a PowerPoint presentation. In every episode we're taking on that new style and putting a Drag Race spin on it. I think the show has evolved in lots of ways, but something interesting that we've been able to do as more seasons of the show have aired is be very self reflective. We're able to add lines, and punctuate moments with things that people who have watched the shows over the years will pick up on. Some examples of this are punctuating moments of disappointment with the sad trombone sound effect we used in Season 15. Or not explaining what a split premiere is, and instead including a queen saying, ‘Have you watched the show Tamar?’ instead.”