Not very long ago, videotape editing entailed masterful use of a splicer and a razor blade. Marco Zappia should know. After landing a job at CBS in the 1970s, the young hopeful embarked on a broadcasting career that spanned thirty-five years, earned industry acclaim including two Emmy Awards, and involved a rapid succession of new technologies that catapulted his craft to higher and higher levels. Smartest Guy In The Room shares the story of his rise from television repair man to the go-to guy on the sets of wildly acclaimed CBS shows including "Hee Haw" and "All in the Family." While doing so, Zappia provides an informal explanation of the role the editor plays in the television production process, offering editing tips and expert advice on everything you need to know to hone your craft. Smartest Guy In The Room is a director's cut of editing know-how, with an inside vantage on everything Zappia gleaned from some of Hollywood's most talented directors, producers, writers, cast members, and crew. The technology may change, but the native skills to make the most out of a director's vision and an actor's talent remain the same. Anyone who wants candid, hands-on insight into this fascinating vocation is certain to gain invaluable information and inspiration from one seasoned pro, who proves on page after page to be the smartest guy in the room. While offering decades of wisdom from a leading broadcasting editor, Smartest Guy In The Room also offers a rare snapshot of the industry from the perspective of the people shaping the story. The technology may change, but the native skills to make the most out of a director's vision and an actor's talent remain the same. Anyone who wants candid, hands-on insight into this fascinating vocation is certain to gain invaluable information and inspiration from one seasoned pro, who proves on page after page to be the smartest guy in the room.