Jeanesse 'Jae' Martinez
Editor. Story Problem-solver.
Post-Production Swiss Army Knife.
I work with documentaries, broadcast productions and creative teams to untangle footage, solve narrative problems and make things make sense.
When the footage is complicated, the schedule is tight, or the story isn't quite working yet - that's usually where I come in.
Available for work.
RECENTLY IN THE EDIT.
Assistant Editor
TBC
Upcoming Drama/Action Series
Netflix
TBC
I can't say much here, but I can give a little sneak peek. "A fast-paced, high-stakes action thriller. Intense, relentless, and emotionally charged."
Assistant Editor + Post Coordinator
Beauty and the Bester
True Crime Docu-series
Netflix
2025
Setting up and managing complex documentary workflows across multiple editors, archive-heavy ingests, metadata tracking and a demanding post-production pipeline. Including vendor turnovers.
Offline Editor
Tastemaster Jnr S02
Competition Reality Series
SABC
2025
6 cameras, 12 kid chefs, 3 judges, 1 dish and 1 hour on the clock. Keeping track of the storylines in a busy kitchen requires an eagle eye to find key moments to piece together in edit. Sounds like a nightmare, but this is where I thrive.
ABOUT ME.
I've spent over a decade editing everything from documentaries and reality television to promos and branded campaigns. Somewhere along the way, I developed a slightly obsessive relationship with story structure, workflow and figuring out why something isn't landing.
But before I touch the timeline, I ask questions.
Who's this for? What are we avoiding?
What do we want the audience to feel?
I think in questions before I think in cuts.
I'm the person you bring into post when the project is complicated, the story needs work, and you need someone who understands both the creative and technical sides of the machine.
10+
Years of experience
4x
Global awards
7x
Promax Africa awards
100+
Projects delivered
HOW I HELP.
1.
Find the Story
For projects with too much footage, too many ideas or a narrative that isn't landing yet. Whilst keeping it demure.
Assembly editing
Offline editing
Story restructuring
Temp GFX: lower thirds, news straps, device UI, etc.
Temp VFX: screen comps, motion tracking, etc.
Building sound beds
2.
Keep Post Moving
For productions where editorial workflow needs to be organised, reliable and invisible.
Assistant editing
Media organisation
Workflow management
Vendor turnovers
Technical troubleshooting
Quality checking [QC]
3.
Make the Edit Stronger
For teams who need a fresh set of eyes before something goes out into the world.
Edit audits
Story consulting
Creative feedback
Pacing diagnosis
VO direction
Creative problem-solving
WHY HIRE ME?
1.
I don't just cut what's there.
I ask whether the footage is telling the story it needs to tell. If not, I think about how we can solve the issue before jumping into reshoots. Because reshoots = more money, more potential problems.
2.
I understand the machine behind the edit.
Workflow, turnovers, technical limitations and production realities all affect the creative result. If there's a technical problem I can't solve - then I test, troubleshoot and experiment until I do.
I speak both Mac and Windows
3.
I'm comfortable in the messy middle.
Chaos is the point where the footage is overwhelming, the story isn't working and everyone is slightly concerned. Yeah. I like that part.
RECOGNISED FOR MAKING THINGS WEIRDLY GOOD.
DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.
Sipho Sondiyazi
MTV + Comedy Central
Creative Producer
“Jeanesse is a hard working, dedicated editor who has made multiple miracles happen for me in pre and post production.”
All
Documentaries
Reality Shows
Scripted Series
Marketing Campaigns
Channel Promos
Social Shorts
Animatics
Other
