Uppercut Welcomes Carlos Crooks and Sarah Igraine Welty to the Roster

Next-gen, premier editorial, finishing, and VFX studio Uppercut has added award-winning editor Carlos Crooks to their New York ring and promoted in-house assistant editor Sarah Igraine Welty to rostered editor. 

Carlos Crooks brings his early training in film production and the studio system to his work as an editor, casting his cinematic eye across branded content, commercials, music videos, documentary features, and social justice films. With a versatile style that ranges from hyperkinetic and visceral to soulful and intimate, Carlos' work is always affecting, dialling in the energy of its tone with perfect acuity. He has worked with high-profile advertising clients like Puma, Lexus, Brooks, Kia, and Xbox, and has cut music videos for artists Alana Maria and Dave B. One of his most recognised projects is the short film 'It Doesn't Matter,' a visual poem created in collaboration with Black Lives Matter and in response to the murder of George Floyd and other atrocities committed against Black people in America. The film has won over ten awards and screened nationwide at film festivals. 

Born and raised in Northern California, Carlos was introduced to filmmaking by his grandmother, who enlisted his help making narrative films on VHS from footage they shot in their backyard. After a youth spent making breakdancing videos and skateboarding movies, he graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. He then freelanced as an editor at many of the industry's leading post-production houses for several years. 

"Uppercut is a company that screams creativity," says Carlos. "When I met the team, I instantly recognised that I was talking to like-minded individuals — people who enjoy the editorial craft, care about everyone in the company's family, and want to push the boundaries of the creative space within the four walls at Uppercut."

In addition to Carlos, Uppercut has promoted in-house cutting assistant Sarah Igraine Welty to full, rostered editor. Sarah brings her interdisciplinary arts experience to her work in the cutting room with a dynamic style that is high-energy, musical, and straight off the runway. She's edited campaigns for clients like SavageXFenty, Oscar de la Renta, VS PINK, Fragment by Hiroshi Fujiwara, Thom Browne, and Calvin Klein.

Born and raised in the Hudson Valley -- where she was classically trained in piano, violin, cello, and voice -- Sarah was first introduced to editing while interning at a production house in New York. There she instinctively drew a connection between the editing process and music and started experimenting with audio programs, making soundscapes in Final Cut, before fully transitioning into editing with picture. For Sarah, editing is a form of 'visual music' – the marriage of sound and motion where a rhythm drives all movement to remain in harmony. 

"I'm beyond thrilled to be promoted to Editor at Uppercut," says Sarah. "I've spent many years searching for a Post-House with that perfect balance of exciting clients, artistic opportunities, great leadership, and collaborators I know and trust. Uppercut is a Post-Home for me - I'm excited to see what's next in my chapter here at this ever-growing company." 

"Carlos and Sarah both have a strong instinct for storytelling," says Uppercut owner and editor Micah Scarpelli. "I'm extremely excited to welcome Carlos among our ranks at Uppercut and announce this next chapter for Sarah. We look forward to amplifying their voices and vision in the edit bay and beyond."