If we had to choose one word to describe “Shrinking,” it might be “sincere.” The Apple TV+ series created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein seamlessly alternates between comedy and tragedy, creating a warm viewing experience that’s anchored by characters who clearly and unapologetically express their feelings to one another.
That nuance plays a large role in making “Shrinking” such a beloved show, but it also creates a real challenge in post-production. Many TV editors know early on whether they’re cutting a sitcom or a drama, and allow genre tropes to influence their editing choices. But “Shrinking” often has to be both within the confines of a single episode.
During an appearance on IndieWire’s Craft Roundtables, “Shrinking” editor James Renfroe broke down how he captures the show’s delicate tonal balance. He explained that he sees each character as existing on their own spectrum between comedy and tragedy, and he tries to ensure that nobody crosses their own boundaries on either side of that spectrum.
“If I feel like I’m dipping into something that’s too saccharine and it feels not real, then I generally try to avoid those performances,” Renfroe said. “Similarly, from a comedic perspective, I try to keep in mind what my ceiling is. What characters are allowed to reach that ceiling, what characters aren’t allowed to reach that ceiling. And from a dramatic perspective, I keep an eye on where my floor is. If there is something incredibly tragic, it’s okay to get closer to that bottom. But you can’t live there, and you don’t want to score it heavily so that you’re turning what would have been a dramatic moment into a melodramatic moment.”
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