E-NEWS
EDITION
#020
May
2011
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Greetings
Editing Colleagues,
Did someone
mention it is May already?
Well it's been
a big month for births, deaths and marriages. The Royal Wedding showed us
how to pull a worldwide audience, bin Laden met his demise and my wife gave
birth to our third Peanut (... please
excuse this personal note).
We enjoyed two
ASE 'Members Only' Screenings with Editor Q&A's.
ASE Member
Leanne Cole spoke of cutting 'Wasted On The Young'.
ASE
Member Claire Fletcher told us of her experiences on 'Mad Bastards'.
Next
week is ASE Committee Member Peter Crombie and his Director to introduce their
film 'The Reef'.
Keep an eye on your Inbox for invitation and
RSVP details. We're now opening up these screenings to Members of the
other Industry Guilds to broaden the audience and strengthen our ties.
Remember to get in quick as seats do fill fast.
These are a wonderful opportunity to meet
those involved and hear their unique experiences.
ASE Committee Member Zen Rosenthal is off to
the big smoke (Los Angeles) to seek fame and fortune. We wish you the
very best Zen!
Editor Matt Villa will warm his seat, to
which the Committee is most excited.
May I remind
you of the current membership drive ... and you benefit.
Introduce a new
full member (or re-ignite the interest of a lapsed full member) and not only do
they receive a special price, but so do you for promoting your Guild. $99 full membership for one year! Offer
is valid for a limited time until the end of the financial year.
Contact
Margaret Slarke for details nswoffice@screeneditors.com
The ASE would
also like to make a callout to members to suggest (their own or other ASE
members) upcoming features, documentaries, tv dramas & non-dramas, short
films and commercials that they would like to see in a “Screening and Q&A
format”. Please send us your suggestions to and we will endeavor to make it
happen. newsletter@screeneditors.com
And remember,
it really is a matter of "what can you do for your Guild?” Please let us
know what you'd like to contribute or make available to share.
Let's find
great comfort in supporting each other.
Regards,
Jason
Ballantine ASE
ASE President
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VICTORIAN
UPDATE:
The ASE and 2011 St
Kilda Film Festival is presenting a panel on the art of short film editing
using a variety of the films in this years festival. It is a free all ages event at the Forum hall, over the road From
the Astor theatre, Chapel St, St Kilda. So come along to be
informed and entertained on Saturday May 28th from 3.30pm. Look out for our stall at the festivals industry day. Please do come up and say hi we would
love to see you and chat about all things editing.
ASE MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE
ONLY. I’m stoked to announce that
Digital Pictures and the ASE are doing an event on Sanctum 3D on Tuesday the 7th
of June from 6.30pm sharp at 180 Bank Street. Speaking will be the Digital Pictures titanium trio Peter
Webb - Visual Effects Supervisor, Nic Smith - Digital Technical Director and
Brett Manson - Digital Colourist. Mark Warner Picture Editor and work commitments allowing Marc Van Buuren
- Post Production Supervisor and Ben Joss -1st Assistant Editor,
will all talk about their experiences of working with 3D and how it affected
the workflow and creative process. A must see event. Spaces are very limited so
get in quick. Please rsvp to
rsvpvic@screeneditors.com.
On a sadder note the
Victorian committee bids farewell to Tommy Meadmore. Tommy has being an energetic member of the committee for
some time and his warmth and smile will be missed. He is shortly leaving our fair shores for editing
adventures. We all wish Tommy the
most exciting exploits possible as long at it allows him to return to our
shores at some point in the future. Have a ball Tommy!
Below are some
pictures from the great Quiz Night held recently in St. Kilda.

ASE Members (L-R), Tommy Meadmore, Sasha
Dylan Bell and Dani Raulli attending the St. Kilda Quiz Night.
An assembly of editors having a great time at the St
Kilda Quiz Night.
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NEWS:
“Mad Bastards” Q&A
What a great night, very inspiring to hear ASE Member Claire Fletcher's considerations to piecing this unusually
formulated film together. Such a unique experience ... and a pristine
35mm release print.
ASE Committee Member Gwen Sputore asks ASE Member and Editor of 'Mad
Bastards' Claire Fletcher about her experiences on the film...
ASE Members Marty Connor (credited as Associate Producer) with Editor
Claire Fletcher and Laurie Hughes (credited as Assistant Editor). (Credited
as one of the other assistants but absent on the night was Milena Roinin)
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“Wasted On The Young”
Q&A
It was a great film and an informative night. The audience got a great behind-the-scenes
lowdown of the film, courtesy of talented editor Leanne Cole and DOP Dan
Freene. Deb Peart kicked off the Q&A, and the audience didn't hold back
from taking the reigns until closing time. This special ASE event was held at
the AFTRS theatre. Special thanks to them for the venue.

ASE Committee Member Deb Peart, ASE Member Leanne Cole and DOP
Dan Freene.
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SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2011 NOW ON SALE!

The
curtain's up on this year's festival, so you can now buy anything from a single
ticket to a 30-film FlexiPass either online or over the phone. If you've
already purchased a FlexiPass, now is the time you can start redeeming them
against individual films.
The
sff.org.au website has all films and events listed with extensive descriptions,
but if you prefer a printed program, the big 64-page SFF supplement is a free
insert in the Sydney Morning Herald this Friday 13 May. You'll see every film
and event with full descriptions, a handy schedule to plan your personal
festival adventure, details on all the fabulous dining delights on offer from
our restaurant partners and so much more. There's even a comprehensive indexing
with short descriptions of each film, for when you need your film festival fix
in a hurry. So make sure you pick up your copy then, or your coffee table will
feel naked without it!
Check
it out at www.sff.org.au
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'Meet the Members'
…with
Roland Smith
Roland Smith has been editing for a long time, but
who’s counting cause he certainly isn’t. Roland ran his own post house, Whiz
Digital, and now freelances specialising in series and long form documentary. Currently
he is series editor for the ABC series “Who’s Been Sleeping In My House”.
WA Sub
Committee Member Roland Smith and Bear
I knew I wanted to work in post when… I fell for
‘Annie Hall’, still as charming and infectious today as it was on release. That
got me to film school where the simple power of putting two pieces of film
together won me over.
My first break in the industry came when… as a
corporate video editor with SBS. No the other one – Shepherd Baker Studios.
They shot and I cut everything that moved during the construction of
Australia’s largest resource project (at the time) the North West gas project.
It is where I learnt what an LNG train was, and it didn’t stop at a station. It
was ¾’’ umatic “punch and crunch” back then. I had to write the ins and outs,
remembering to add a frame to the out-point. EDL’s and pal pairing… it was the
time standard Betacam was all the rage. How old am I!
The thing I love most about editing is…the
surprise. It might be shot one way and now a different story needs to be
told. It’s a bit like driving
through your suburb on rubbish pick-up day and amongst all that stuff is gold…
you just have to really look and imagine the possibilities. There is immense
pleasure when you make something out of nothing. Joy!
The best tip I’ve got for aspiring
editors is... find a mentor, someone to learn from and give all you’ve got.
If you have chosen well it will be returned 10 fold. And learn about the whole
process, a chance to produce or direct or shoot, however small the production
will help you grow as an editor.
If I wasn’t in post-production I’d be…
in post-production,
audio not vision. And if I had to leave the safety of the edit suite I would be
a photographer. When I escape the darkened room I love to wander the streets of
a strange city snapping whatever and whoever comes my way.
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'Meet the Members'
…with Meredith Watson
ASE Member Meredith Watson with child
number three, Cassidy.
Meredith
Watson Jeffrey has been working in postproduction since 1991.
She
has worked in both drama and documentary and loves being able to move between
the two. Editing credits include “The Shark Net”, “The Circuit” (series
1&2), “Three Acts of Murder”, “Stone Bros”, and “Blame”.
I
knew I wanted to work in post when…I edited our
first production while studying Film and Television and realised that the
editor can make a really bad set of rushes into a not so bad film. (I was also the DOP on that film - hence the really bad rushes)
My
first break in the industry came when…I worked as a
second assistant editor on a Barron Film’s TV series called “Clowning
Around”. I then worked with the
editor – Geoff Hall – over the next few years as a first assistant on Ship to
Shore 1,2 & 3. At the same
time he gave me my own episodes to cut within the series, which was a fantastic
help up.
The
thing I love most about editing is… telling a story
well so that the audience is firstly hooked and then emotionally connected to
the characters and their journey. I love the diversity and depth of actors’ performances that can make or
break a film, and choosing the pieces that will fit together into a cohesive
narrative. It’s also just cool
making a really nice cut.
The
best tip I’ve got for aspiring editors is... try
everything, break the rules and see if it works. And most importantly go with your gut feeling. If it feels right then it probably is.
If I
wasn’t in post-production I’d be…unemployed, as I
really can’t do anything else!
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'Meet your Committee'
…with Lawrie Silvestrin, Secretary WA ASE Sub
Committee

Laurie Silvestrin, Secretary WA ASE Sub
Committee (Well you know editors don’t like to draw too much attention to
themselves, so I generally go in disguise.)
My first break in the industry was…first year out
of Uni having studied film for three years, specializing in Editing (cos I’d
fallen in love with it from the start) I was already calling myself a “Film
Editor”. I scored a job cutting a
feature length doco about a quite famous (at the time) beauty queen. Big bucks (and other big attributes)
and lots of glitz and glamour. I
waited about six months for the film to start shooting before I finally
realized it wasn’t going to happen…so, with calloused hands from months working
in concrete to pay the bills, I got my first real film job at ABC TV as an
assistant editor. It was then I
really started to learn about the art of film editing. Since then every new film has been my
next big break.
Still - a pity not to have scored with the
beauty queen film.
The highlight of my career so far… I can honestly
say that after 34 drama productions and 44 docos every one is a highlight in
some way. But if I have to pick,
some of my fondest memories are of working at the ABC’s French’s Forest Drama
Studios (see pix below when it was Artransa – who can forget the security guard
pulling a hand gun on the funnel web spiders? lol). But really all of the highlights are to do with great
stories or great people both of which are the reasons I still love editing.
I was inspired to join the ASE committee…WA has a small but incredibly busy, committed and talented fraternity of
filmmakers both well established and emerging. I’ve been fortunate to work with many of them for the past
twenty years. Unfortunately, the
people I get to work with least of all are other editors. So ASE WA has grown out of a desire to
spend a bit more time with my fellow cutters. Also, having worked for many years on the east coast,
belonging to the ASE now gives me a sense of connection to the broader
community of editors across the country.
Cheers to you all.
Lawrie
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'Meet our Sponsors'
…with Avid
Charles Tetaz (far right ... from ASE Gold
Sponsor AVID) celebrating with colleagues at the Inside Film Awards.
AVID are synonymous with editing products in
Australia and indeed the world.
This U.S. based company has grown from
strength to strength covering all matters postproduction. Not only is AVID
responsible for delivering the magisterial picture cutting tool Media Composer,
but reaches a broad spectrum of divisions such as news and journalism, sound
scoring, sound editing, sound mixing, sound monitoring, on-air graphics, colour
timing, on-set acquisition and media storage (both stand alone and shared),
with specialist educational products covering primary to tertiary.
AVID first entered Australia in 1989 with
Media Composer v1.0 and soon became the preferred editing system, leading to
the death of film handling (and thankfully U-Matic!). The company now
employs 17 locally based professionals, covering areas of marketing and retail,
technical, logistics and education. Charles Tetaz is one of these kind
people.
AVID now has an ear to craft professionals,
listening to the daily users through validation feedback sites and even local
beta testing.
The AVID Community forum is a great place to
gain knowledge.
The biggest Industry show is NAB, held
annually in Las Vegas. Here AVID demonstrated it's latest innovation, Media Composer v5.5. In addition to the
things we've come to love, such as AMA, they now have new tools such as Script Sync and PhraseFind (click links to learn more).
AVID are currently running a special for FCP
users to be tempted by "the other side". Details can be sourced here for the comprehensive Media Composer
bundle.
Take a look
at their website www.avid.com
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Charles Tétaz has been working for Avid since
1998, initially within the Digidesign division and more recently as Avid Sales
Manager for Australia and New Zealand. His interest in technology extends back
to his first computer purchased in 1981. Since then the convergence of audio,
video and technology continues to engage and fascinate him, at work and
leisure. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and 3 daughters, shooting/editing
video and writing music in his spare time.
Charles has invited ASE Members to contact
him direct should you like to discuss anything relating to AVID ... charles.tetaz@avid.com
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SPONSORS NEWS:
Avid PhraseFind
With PhraseFind—a powerful new software option for
Media Composer, Symphony, and NewsCutter—you can find the right clips fast,
with highly accurate results. PhraseFind’s powerful search engine automatically
analyzes clips and indexes all dialog in your project’s media phonetically, so
you can quickly find clips by simply typing a word or phrase—right from within
your software. Learn more: http://www.avid.com/US/products/phrasefind
Watch and Share:
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/avid-media-composerpodcast/id334601372
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdbL3UpdpSE
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/22709022
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AvidMediaComposer/posts/125902027484764
Water for Elephants
With invisible, graceful editing and a workflow that makes the most of
every hour of post-production—Media Composer raises the art of collaboration to
new heights. Learn more: http://www.avid.com/US/products/family/Media-Composer
Watch and Share:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL5Jh_Ddj2I
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/22836828
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AvidMediaComposer/posts/192237307488001
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UPCOMING
EVENTS:
The Australian Directors
Guild is proud to present:
THE MAKING OF “THE SLAP” TV SERIES (VIC)
At
an Aussie BBQ, a man slaps someone else’s child and all hell breaks loose.
In 2011 Christos Tsiolkas’ best selling novel The Slap comes to life on screen.
To kick
start the ADG VIC events for 2011
Tony Ayres (Showrunner & Director), Robert Connolly & Matt
Saville (Directors)
and Kris Mrksa (Writer) reveal how they are turning one of Australia’s
most successful and controversial books into the
“must see” television series of the season.
WHEN:
Tuesday 17th May 2011 at 7.30pm
WHERE: Federation Hall, Victorian College of the Arts
234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria 3006
Entrance via Grant St (Tram stop 17) See attached map.
COST: ADG Members $5, Non-members $10, Students Gold Coin
RSVP: Please RSVP By 13th May: rsvp@adg.org.au
TELEVISION MASTERCLASS “Directing Under Pressure” with Kate Dennis (VIC)
Deadline for applications extended until 23rd May.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of that week.
Venue: Open Channel Studio 4
Date: 9.30 am – 5 pm Saturday June 4th 2011.
What makes a director employable in the world of fast turn around TV? How do
you establish open communication with your actors so that you are not rocked
under pressure? Learn how to think on your feet and best work with actors and
your DOP in order to effectively block and cover a scene within the constraints
of a television schedule.
Kate is the set-up director on Offspring. Her Australian TV credits include:
Rush, Love My Way, The Secret Life of Us, MDA, Twisted Tales and telemovies The
Alice and Secretary. In London she developed two features (with IWC and
Polygram), co-wrote Superstition (Holland/UK) starring Charlotte Rampling,
directed the BBC series Rescue Me (starring Sally Phillips in her first TV
drama role), and directed second unit on Buffalo Soldiers (starring Joaquin
Phoenix). In 2007 Kate was nominated for an Australian Director’s Guild Award
for her work on Love My Way. Kate is currently shooting series two of
Offspring, and at the financing stage with her feature Almost French.
ADG members and participants with some (limited) experience will be preferred.
There are a limited number of spaces for this masterclass so as part of your application
please submit
· An unproduced scene (2 hander) - to block and shoot in the studio with the
feedback from both Kate and DOP John Brawley
· Current CV
· Short paragraph outlining why you wish to be involved and what you hope to
get out of the masterclass.
Please send your application - including your CV, short paragraph and
unproduced scene - to rsvp@adg.org.au Subject: Kate Dennis
Masterclass.
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AFTRS Victoria
***Final
Cut Pro Advanced
June 2 - 3
(Thursday, Friday, 9.30am - 5pm)
Lift your Final Cut Pro skills to the next level. This course is designed to
turn those with competent skills into expert users. Run over two days, the
course will cover a range of skills and
processes that will both advance and enhance your editing skills.
***Editing with AVID
June 8 - 10
(Wednesday - Friday, 9.30am - 5pm)
This introductory course covers everything you need to get started with this
surprisingly powerful application, Media Composer v5, like organising your
material, getting it into the timeline, trimming, adding dissolves, creating
titles, working with segments in the timeline, mixing audio, saving your work
and managing your project effectively.
For more information:
http://www.aftrs.edu.au/courses/courses.aspx
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***Revelation
2011 Travel Fellowship
Applications Open Now
In an Australian first,
Revelation is looking to provide three filmmakers, academics, craftspersons or
film-lovers from any state or territory of Australia (not including WA) up to a
$1000 contribution toward travel and accommodation in order to attend the
festival in Perth. The package also includes a range of other
"access" benefits that extend to parties and VIP functions, master
classes, special events and other event components.
http://www.revelationfilmfest.org/go/news/2011-travel-fellowship
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SCREENINGS:
NEW
SOUTH WALES
***"The Tunnel" + Audience
Q&A with Filmmakers
18th May 2011
Popcorn Taxi is proud to host the World Premiere of a film that could just
change it all – The Tunnel. Following our exclusive big-screen presentation
we’ll be joined live on stage with the filmmakers and producers of a project
that defies internet piracy by embracing the nature of peer-to-peer sharing as
a distribution model. Tonight, we quite literally ‘press the button’ and
unleash the film globally! Be a part of this historic moment and meet the
filmmakers responsible.
www.popcorntaxi.com.au
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VICTORIA
***Ladies on the Tube (ACMI)
19 May 2011
Join a
stellar line-up of Live in the Studio lady alumnae - all feisty, saucy and
whip-smart - as they put their best chromosomes forward to deliver a full night
of `sisters on the tube`.
Dr Saige Walton fights the good fight with Battlestar Galactica and Veronica
Mars while Dr Esther Milne maps out Laguna Beach, The Hills and The City.
Mel Campbell investigates how TV treats a female boss, Catherine Deveny looks
at `our women` in Aussie commercial television and Clementine Ford gets
nostalgic with `80s sitcoms Golden Girls and Roseanne.
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas looks at horror film hostesses such as Vampira,
Elvira and Australia’s own ghoul friend Tabitha, and Professor Angela Ndalianis
guides us through reality TV.
A major
ladies` night, featuring both lectures and performances.
www.acmi.net.au/lis_ladies.aspx
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WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
***Spanish Film Festival 2011 (Perth)
26th May 2011 – 29th May 2011
An international roll call of the best in Spanish and Latin American
contemporary cinema is set to unspool under the ‘big-top’ at the Spanish Film
Festival in 2011, with this spectacular cinematic travelling circus of 36 films
making its mark on six Australian cities in May.
www.spanishfilmfestival.com
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
***Spanish Film Festival 2011
(Adelaide)
26th May 2011 – 29th May 2011
An
international roll call of the best in Spanish and Latin American contemporary
cinema is set to unspool under the ‘big-top’ at the Spanish Film Festival in
2011, with this spectacular cinematic travelling circus of 36 films making its
mark on six Australian cities in May.
www.spanishfilmfestival.com
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QUEENSLAND
***"Hermano" + Q&A with
writer Rohan Jones (Brisbane)
29th May 2011
Melbourne
based Rohan Jones, writer and development producer of Hermano will attend the
festival for Q&A sessions following screenings of this powerful and highly
acclaimed film about two poor brothers in Caracas who see their football talent
as a way to a better life. Hermano is also a film that is making a difference,
UNICEF has partnered with the production company in Venezuela to screen it in
poor urban communicates to help encourage discussions about violence prevention
in these areas. Rohan Jones is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts.
www.spanishfilmfestival.com
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ON
THE WEB:
Digistor Event
http://www.digistor.com.au/Events/Avid_event_May_2011.aspx
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MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS:
***Introduce a new full member (or re-ignite the
interest of a lapsed full member) and not only do they receive a special price,
but so do you for promoting your Guild. $99 full membership for one
year! Offer is valid for a limited time. Contact Margaret Slarke for details
nswoffice@screeneditors.com
***Members receive discounts to the Sydney and Melbourne film festivals,
which are both coming up soon so check their websites for details.
***Palace Cinemas in Melbourne, Brisbane and
Sydney are now offering ASE members $13.50 entry to any film, any session
(not including festivals or special events) upon presentation of membership
cards.
***Did you know ASE members get concession
rate at Popcorn Taxi events? We do! So just remember to show your ASE members
card.
***Online Membership Payment:
There’s never been an easier way to join or re-new your membership to the ASE! We are excited to announce our new online payment facility. You are now able to pay online with your credit card. If you would like to join the guild follow the link for Online Application Form: http://www.screeneditors.com/ase_membership/membership_application_form.htm.
Or if you are renewing your membership access to all the ASE benefits will be yours at the click of a button: https://www.screeneditors.com/membership/form.php
***Discounted AFI membership, check the
link below for details
http://www.afi.org.au/AM/ContentManagerNet/ContentDisplay.aspx?ContentID=7014&Section=Guilds
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QUOTE
OF THE MONTH:
“Cinema is a matter of what’s in the frame and what’s
out”
(Martin Scorsese: director of “Raging
Bull”, “Goodfellas” and “The Departed”)
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Until next time
The ASE Committee