How 'Virgin River' Editor Nicole Ratcliffe leveraged her VFS training into a 25+ year career

In the long list of entertainment industry ‘dream jobs’, working for Netflix has to be right at the top. Aside from their coveted title of #1 streaming service in the world, the enterprise has earned 27 Oscars, operates in 190+ countries, and is watched all around the world by more than 247 million viewers. Vancouver Film School alum Nicole Ratcliffe is proud to be one of many creative artists who have contributed to Netflix’s original content, working as an editor on the highly-successful series Virgin River.  

Born right here in Vancouver, Nicole’s been an editor in the TV industry pretty much from the moment she graduated from VFS’s Film Production program! Thanks to her combo of talent, hard work, and strong networking in the post-production industry, she’s built up an impressive CV with titles including You Me Her, Wild Cards, and Andromeda. 

Now in it’s sixth season, Virgin River is based on a series of novels (a staggering 22!) by Robyn Carr. Starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Tim Matheson, it currently sits at an impressive 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. The series follows Melinda Monroe (Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner and midwife, who moves to the quaint town of Virgin River in Northern California to start fresh after personal tragedy. Despite her hopes for a quiet life, Mel quickly realizes that small-town living comes with its own set of challenges as she soon develops a romantic relationship with Jack Sheridan (Henderson), a charming bar owner dealing with his own trauma.  

Although Nicole previously spoke with Motion Picture Association in detail about her career, we needed to hear more from her about how to become a film editor (especially what it was like editing on Steenbecks at Vancouver Film School back in the 90s!):  

Virgin River is such a hit; it must be so exciting to work on such a successful series! Do you feel added pressure 6 seasons in? 

Editing on Virgin River for 6 seasons is such a gift! One of the many things I love about working in episodic is the ability to tell a larger story over many episodes and seasons. You really get to dig into the storylines, the characters and themes. With the show being as popular as it is, the pressure I feel is to give the loyal audience what they want. I read the online threads to see what the fans are loving, what they’re loving to hate and what their hopes are for the characters. Sometimes I feel like the fans are sitting on my shoulder as I edit. I think to myself, “the fans would love it if we stayed in this moment just a hair longer.” Our main goal is to give Netflix and the fans exactly what they want! 

How was your experience in VFS’s Film Production program? 

I have very fond memories of my time at VFS. There was such a sense of excitement and comradery within the class, like we were going to be the next great wave of filmmakers. Learning about everything from documentary to sound production was invaluable. My first job out of school was as an Assistant Editor for a Vancouver-based production company. I went to work quite quickly and had to learn so much on the job. Because my program was in 1997, we cut on Steenbecks (which every editor should try at least once). The feeling of the film between your fingers is magic and the discipline of making your choices carefully before cutting the film is like nothing we do now. Also, the post-production community in Vancouver is incredibly generous; I don’t know if I would have made it if not for the incredible editors and assistant editors that I had the chance to work with early in my career. I highly encourage film school students or recent grads to seek out mentorship or connections in any way you can. 

What was the experience like pivoting from Editor to VFX Editor? 

I kind of fell into VFX editing for a short time. Having worked on VFX-heavy series, as an Assistant and Editor on projects like Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, I had good knowledge of the process of shooting and tracking VFX as well as how to create temp effects within the Avid. That experience got me hired on Final Destination 3. Working on two of the Final Destination films in the franchise was a very different experience from working on series. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work on two fun, big-budget features. While I enjoyed the work, the job is not very creative, and I missed contributing to the crafting of stories. I made my way back to picture editing and have been fortunate enough to continue working on series and MOWs with incredible directors, producers, and colleagues. 

Do you think it’s important for artists to be flexible/multi-talented? 

I absolutely believe that you must be a jack-of-all-trades in the current climate of this industry. Gone are the days where an editor would specialize in one genre and work steadily. Something I love about Vancouver being a service industry is that we, as editors, have had to step up and be able to cut in any genre. Whether it be scripted drama or unscripted documentary, comedy, or action – you must be able to do them all. If a director or producer is asking for something on the fly, you are much more valuable if you can complete the request rather than asking your assistant. I also think learning as much about the AI tools available to us as editors and being proficient in them is non-negotiable at this point. While I don’t believe AI will render us obsolete, I do believe there will be exciting and helpful tools for us to utilize and make our jobs more efficient.  

What career accomplishment/success are you most proud of?  

I am incredibly proud of the strong professional relationships I have made. Showrunners I work with trust me and enjoy working with me in the edit suite. I truly do believe that my work ethic, hard-earned talent and positive personality are what keep me working in this industry.  

What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned in your career? Any TV and film editing tips for beginners?  

I think the most important editing career advice for beginners is to “send the elevator back down.” Mentoring and training the next generation of editors is so incredibly important. I had wonderful, invaluable mentors as I was growing my career. They were generous with their time, knowledge, and connections. I always tell students or folks just starting out to work hard at making connections with the people they want to learn from or work with. Groups such as the Vancouver Post Alliance or Canadian Cinema Editors continually hold events great for networking and getting to know the people in the Vancouver post-production industry. There are similar groups all over the world, no matter what market you are looking to start your career in. 

And most importantly, cut! Cut as much as you can in as many different genres as you can. Short films, student films or projects such as Crazy 8s are great for getting experience, honing your NLE skills, and meeting new people. And if you don’t have anything to cut, learn a new piece of software or application. 

If you’re feeling inspired by Nicole’s film editing career success, now’s the time to make a career in post-production happen for you! Apply for VFS’s Film Production program today to get started on your creative journey to a career the entertainment industry. Explore the curriculum, the specializations (Directing, Cinematography, Producing, Post-Production, & Production Design), and discover why Vancouver Film School is ranked a Leading Film School in N. America by Variety. Or, check out one of VFS’s many other creative arts programs in Film Animation, Games or Creative Design. 

And while you’re at it, view our other Vancouver Film School alumni successes, including our recent student films that debuted at Whistler Film Festival and alum Mohamed El Masri’s work on Severance. 

FAQ 

1. How did VFS alum Nicole Ratcliffe contribute to Virgin River? 

Nicole Ratcliffe, a Vancouver Film School Film Production alum, has been an Editor on Virgin River for six seasons. Her role involves crafting episodes to meet Netflix’s high standards and catering to the show’s dedicated fanbase. 

2. What makes Netflix’s Virgin River a standout series? 

Virgin River is a hit Netflix original series, currently in its sixth season, with an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on Robyn Carr’s novels, it’s known for its compelling storytelling, romantic drama, and breathtaking Vancouver filming locations. 

3. How does this top film school in Vancouver prepare students for careers in film and TV editing? 

VFS’s fast-track Film Production training program offers one-year, accelerated training in directing, cinematography, producing, post-production, and production design. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, build powerful portfolios, collaborate with other VFS programs including Acting, Sound Design, & Makeup Design, and build a strong network of professionals from the entertainment industry, preparing them for a variety of roles in film & television. 

4. Why is mentorship important for aspiring editors? 

According to Nicole Ratcliffe, mentorship is crucial in the film industry. Networking with experienced professionals, joining groups like the Vancouver Post Alliance, and seeking out guidance can significantly help new editors launch their careers. 

5. What advice does Nicole Ratcliffe offer for aspiring film editors? 

Nicole encourages aspiring editors to practice by editing in different genres, build relationships in the industry, and stay updated with tools like AI to enhance efficiency. She also emphasizes the value of hard work and networking through events and organizations. 

 

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