Lead AE was built on the belief that editors deserve the team and the tools designed specifically for the way post-production really works.
Born out of real-world experience on fast-paced, high-volume shows, the company was created to solve the daily challenges editors face; media prep, project organization, automation, and more - with speed, precision, and reliability. From the beginning, the goal was simple: expand what editors can do by giving them tools that work the way they do.
From AI-powered automation to intuitive workflow design, Lead AE is redefining what support looks like in post. Built by a working AE, backed by a team that understands the craft, and driven by the belief that the future of post starts with those who build its foundation.
Media & Asset Management Solutions
Lead AE was built on the belief that assistant editors deserve tools designed specifically for the way post-production really works.
Born out of real-world experience on fast-paced, high-volume shows, the platform was created to solve the daily challenges AEs face; media prep, project organization, automation, and more - with speed, precision, and reliability. From the beginning, the goal was simple: expand what assistant editors can do by giving them tools that work the way they do.
From AI-powered automation to intuitive workflow design, Lead AE is redefining what support looks like in post. Built by working AEs, backed by a team that understands the craft, and driven by the belief that the future of post starts with those who build its foundation.
It’s a new standard for technical excellence, built by assistant editors who believe the role is worth elevating - not replacing.
David and Danny first met while working on MTV’s Ridiculousness, quickly recognizing their strong working chemistry and shared commitment to the team-oriented nature of assistant editing. They understood that success in post-production required not only a well-defined workflow but also effective workload management, enabling them to handle multiple projects with precision and efficiency. While many assistant editors aim to transition into more creative roles, David and Danny found fulfillment in the technical and organizational aspects of assistant editing, seeing it not as a stepping stone but a rewarding career in itself. This dedication laid the foundation for their work philosophy, focused on innovation and detail.
In 2020, as the industry faced unprecedented changes, They implemented a remote workflow that delivered over 300 episodes across multiple shows with more than 20 editors—all without missing a beat. Recognizing a growing need in a rapidly changing industry, they set out to establish themselves as leaders in remote post-production workflows.
Our Founder
David Binns
President
David@leadae.com
David Binns spent 9 years working as an Assistant Editor and finally realized he wanted to create solutions rather than edit content. He wanted to live on the technical side of post production, where the work either holds together or falls apart under real deadlines.
Most of that time was spent on Ridiculousness, alongside occasional side jobs. The contrast was loud. On a well-run show, organization and repeatable workflows kept the machine moving. On other jobs, bad prep and inconsistent practices quietly burned time every day. David saw how much labor got wasted simply because no one planned the workflow before the job started.
The problems were always the same. Mislabeled media, chaotic or missing structure, and assistants who did not care enough to protect the people downstream. Those issues do not just create mess. They create rework, stress, and preventable mistakes when pressure is highest.
Lead AE started as scripts and workflow systems David built inside real post environments to solve those operational failures. Over time those tools saved hundreds of hours of labor, not by taking creative control away, but by automating repetitive and error prone tasks while keeping editorial decisions with assistants and editors.
Lead AE is built around one idea. Software should fit into real production life, full workflows, not isolated tricks. It is designed for practical, complete assisted organization across post production, with professional standards, broadcast safe outputs, transparent tooling, and clean integration with existing editorial systems.
This is software created by an Assistant Editor, for post production professionals, built to reduce friction, raise the baseline quality of everyday post work, and earning trust by working when it actually counts.
David and Danny first met while working on MTV’s Ridiculousness, quickly recognizing their strong working chemistry and shared commitment to the team-oriented nature of assistant editing. They understood that success in post-production required not only a well-defined workflow but also effective workload management, enabling them to handle multiple projects with precision and efficiency. While many assistant editors aim to transition into more creative roles, David and Danny found fulfillment in the technical and organizational aspects of assistant editing, seeing it not as a stepping stone but a rewarding career in itself. This dedication laid the foundation for their work philosophy, focused on innovation and detail.
In 2020, as the industry faced unprecedented changes, They implemented a remote workflow that delivered over 300 episodes across multiple shows with more than 20 editors—all without missing a beat. Recognizing a growing need in a rapidly changing industry, they set out to establish themselves as leaders in remote post-production workflows.
David and Danny first met while working on MTV’s Ridiculousness, quickly recognizing their strong working chemistry and shared commitment to the team-oriented nature of assistant editing. They understood that success in post-production required not only a well-defined workflow but also effective workload management, enabling them to handle multiple projects with precision and efficiency. While many assistant editors aim to transition into more creative roles, David and Danny found fulfillment in the technical and organizational aspects of assistant editing, seeing it not as a stepping stone but a rewarding career in itself. This dedication laid the foundation for their work philosophy, focused on innovation and detail.
In 2020, as the industry faced unprecedented changes, They implemented a remote workflow that delivered over 300 episodes across multiple shows with more than 20 editors—all without missing a beat. Recognizing a growing need in a rapidly changing industry, they set out to establish themselves as leaders in remote post-production workflows.