Joel Townsend

Editor - Director

Originally from Norwich, CT, I received my B.A. in English with a minor in film studies from the University of Connecticut. After being accepted into the master’s film programs at both NYU’s Tisch School Of the Arts and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, I made the decision to relocate to California and begin the production track at USC.

During my second semester, I had the opportunity to intern for Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert at Ghost House Pictures during the post-production of “The Possession” (2012) and pre-production of “The Evil Dead.” (2013) It was one of the coolest experiences I’d had in California to date. One of my first tasks there was to organize “the vault” which was filled with photo albums of personal pictures Sam had of making the original Evil Dead—I was in heaven.

I ended up leaving Ghost House to direct my first feature—the horror film “Daylight”—which would go on to have its world premiere at London’s FrightFest 2013 before earning a distribution deal with Devolver digital. In anticipation for the premiere, I also was approached by festival organizers to direct a PSA to run theatrically as well as on TV in support of FrightFest 2013's "Turn Off Your Bloody Phone" campaign.

Upon returning to school, I then interned for Allison Shearmur, president of production at Lionsgate, where I was able to learn the process of studio development following the release of the first installment of “The Hunger Games” and the transition into its sequels. 

While finally finishing my master’s degree, I edited numerous short films at USC including the NBC Short Cuts Fest and Palm Springs International Shortsfest winning “Paulie” as well as several thesis projects including the 2013 Student Academy Award winning “In Passing.”  After graduating from USC in May 2013 with an emphasis in directing and writing, I was quickly hired by Hollywood veteran Skip Chaisson’s boutique trailer house Skip Film as an editor for their development department before being transitioned into a staff producer/ editor for Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network.

In 2019 I left El Rey to cut for FX networks as a Preditor for their marketing department and have worked on campaigns for several award-winning shows including Snowfall, Legion, Dave, and Pose.

During my travels, I have also created content for Comedy Central, Warner Brothers, and Sony Pictures.