Writer/director Coralie Fargeat's The Substance is a horror film about fading celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), who is fired by her producer (Dennis Quaid) for being too old. She then turns to a black-market drug that creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley), though it comes with unexpected results.
The feature was edited by Jérôme Eltabet using Adobe's Premiere Pro, a software he appreciates because of its intuitiveness and audio editing capabilities.
“Its smooth interface and powerful features allowed me to work efficiently, especially with the 300 hours of rushes that needed to be meticulously organized,” says Eltabet. “Managing such a large amount of footage required a structured workflow, ensuring everything was easily accessible, from the best takes to the extensive sound library we curated.”
Photo: Editor Jérôme Eltabet
Eltabet says his approach to editing was fairly simple, but effective.
“I like to have each shot of a sequence on the same timeline for an immediate, clear overview,” he reveals. “I then drag the selected takes to V.2, making sure the best moments are easy to spot. After that, I go through all the footage, isolate my favorite moments, drag them to V.3, and add locators to capture my initial impressions while reviewing the rushes. This helps me maintain a strong first instinct while keeping everything organized.”
This method, notes Eltabet, allows for a fluid approach while maintaining the structure of the project. Given the importance of audio in The Substance, Premiere Pro enabled him to manage sound effects and music with great precision, which played a key role in building the film's atmosphere.
“One of my favorite scenes from this project is when Elisabeth sits in front of the mirror, carefully applying makeup before going on a date,” he notes. “At first, the scene needed to capture her anticipation and excitement — the small, intimate moments of preparation that reflect a sense of hope and possibility. The way she delicately applies her lipstick, the slight smile as she adjusts her hair — these details were essential to conveying her initial state of mind.”
However, as the scene progresses, a subtle but undeniable shift occurs.
“Doubt begins to creep in,” he shares. “The flicker of hesitation in her eyes, the way her hands slow down, the deep breath she takes as she stares at her reflection — all of these elements signal a change in her emotions. The realization dawns on her: she won’t be able to go. The weight of self-doubt and comparison to Sue’s seemingly unattainable beauty becomes overwhelming, paralyzing her in that moment.”
Crafting this emotional arc in the edit was a meticulous process. The rhythm of the sequence had to be precise, ensuring that the audience felt the gradual unraveling of her confidence.
“Every cut, every pause and every lingering frame was carefully chosen to reflect the shifting emotions beneath the surface,” shares Eltabet. “This scene, in many ways, became the emotional core of the film, encapsulating Elisabeth’s inner struggle in just a few minutes of screen time.”