In a fascinating new installment of its “Behind the Mac” series, Apple spotlights the pivotal role Mac computers play in editing acclaimed Apple TV+ series Severance. The 11-minute video posted Wednesday on the Apple YouTube channel and in a feature article on apple.com offers unprecedented insight into the creative process behind the thrilling season finale.
Note: Spoilers for season 2 of Severance, which recently concluded with its season finale on Apple TV+, lie below.
Also note: In a surprising little twist, Apple added a faux listing for Lumon Terminal Pro, just like the ones used in Lumon’s Macrodata Refinement Department, to Apple Store with a link to the video as well as Macs for sale. The Severance promos and tie-ins keep coming!
Behind the Mac: Editing Severance video reveals challenges
In the video (and related feature story at apple.com), lead editor Geoffrey Richman, alongside director and executive producer Ben Stiller, breaks down the intricate relationship between editing and storytelling in the hit series. They focus on the technically demanding season finale titled “Cold Harbor.”
Photo: Apple
They described managing the sheer volume of footage as one of the challenges. The team navigated about 83TB of footage. Some scenes offered up to 70 different angles and takes to choose from. To tackle this monumental task, Richman used a single multicam clip compiled by his assistant. That allowed him to view nine angles simultaneously, streamlining the decision-making process for selecting the perfect shots. This figured heavily in the chaotic and much talked-about marching band scene, for example.
Mac ecosystem powers creative workflow
Photo: Apple TV+
The video highlights how Apple’s ecosystem provided the flexibility and power needed for complex editing work. For the most part, Richman works remotely on an iMac connected to a Mac mini running Avid Media Composer professional video editing software (interestingly, not Apple’s Final Cut Pro). When mobility is required, he transitions seamlessly to a MacBook Pro.
“I like the interface on Mac a lot better than on a PC,” Richman said. “I find the way the operating system is laid out to be much more comfortable. I’m able to move between different applications very quickly on Mac.”
The editor particularly values the ecosystem’s continuity features.
“I could be lying in bed and I have a thought, and I’ll type it into my iPhone, and then the next day, it just shows up in the Notes app on my desktop,” he said. “That aspect of Mac I find very handy — to not think about which system I’m physically at.”
Watch the Behind the Mac: Editing Severance video
Collaborative flexibility
Despite working remotely, Richman explains that the Mac ecosystem allows him to collaborate effectively with the production team.
“I can work on my laptop and I can work on my iMac, and I can work at the post facility or I can work at Ben’s office, and as long as I’m logged into my account, everything I do shows up everywhere,” he said.
The feature also reveals how Richman occasionally brings his MacBook Pro to set for immediate reference. And how he uses AirPods Pro 2 across both iPhone and Mac for critical audio checks.
For fans of Severance or those interested in film production, this latest “Behind the Mac” feature offers a compelling look at how Apple’s technology enables creatives to bring their visions to life.
Watch Severance on Apple TV+
You can watch the first and second seasons of Severance on Apple TV+. The service is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 515 wins and 2,308 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
