North Shore native nominated for editing Oscar

Bradley Ross is out in Hollywood getting ready for what could be a life-changing night.

Ross has come a long way from the student videos he created for his school musicals and choral groups. Editing is his gift.

"It was just so exciting that I had this ability, and I could communicate my energy, because I was a wild kid. I could never sit still. My mother can't understand how I ever found an occupation where I'm sitting at a desk alone concentrating," he said.

Ross credits Highland Park High School with sparking his talent.

"By the time I graduated I had performed in Carnegie Hall, St. Mark's Basilica in Italy... Disney World," he said. "I always had this entrepreneurial spirit, I did bar mitzvah videos for about $700 bucks a pop.

"I also parked cars in our driveway during Ravinia Festival, which is two blocks away," he said.

Ross has a flourishing company called Manhattan Productions. Clients include HBO, Showtime and Amazon Studios. The North Shore native is now a New Yorker, with wife Ariana and top dog Dexter. His mom Micki remains his biggest fan.

"Any idea I ever had, no matter how small, no matter how outrageous, no matter how large, she supported and encouraged me to do," he said.

"Cartel Land" director Matthew Heineman gave Ross an Oscar-worthy challenge.

"I mean my jaw just dropped," Ross said. "My first reaction was, 'Oh my God, how did he shoot 700 hours of footage, and what are we going to do to make a 90-minute film out of it?'"

Now, he's headed for the Oscars.

"The vain side of me would love to have one to light and put in the right corner, and who knows, hopefully this isn't once in a lifetime," Ross said.