Was just awake enough and my hotel close enough to make it to the ACE Panel Invisible Art/Visible Artists. The panel consisted of the year's Academy Award nominees for Best Achievement in Editing; namely: Daniel Rezende (Cidade de Deus), Walter Murch (Cold Mountain), Jamie Selkirk (Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), Lee Smith (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) and William Goldenberg (Seabiscuit).
The Egyptian Theatre, was filled with a mix of film buffs, film students and film professionals (the guy in front of me is currently working on a romantic comedy with Will Smith and Eva Mendez).
The panel members took it in turns to describe how they got in to editing and what their approach generally is. They then showed clips from their respective films and talked about why they chose the clip as being representative of their work in the film.
The panel was fascinating, in large part due to the breadth of its participants. On the one hand you had Walter the veteran; arguably the best known and most eloquent. On the other hand you had Daniel the newcomer, who seemed so overwhelmed by his sudden exposure. The contrast mirrored that between their films: Cold Mountain was Miramax's most expensive solo-funded film to date and featured huge stars; Cidade de Deus was a low budget film shot using non-actors in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
After the panel I spoke to a few of the participants. Didn't get a chance to speak to Walter (and, although I brought his book on my trip, forgot to bring it to the theatre!). Spoke to Lee Smith for a while and Jamie Selkirk for a little bit. Also met a friend of Lee's - another Australian called Matt who is currently working on I, Robot.
by : Created on Feb. 28, 2004 : Last modified Feb. 8, 2005 : (permalink)
Things are pretty crazy around the Hollywood and Highland complex at the moment. I am about the only person without a security badge. Entry to the hotel was checked by an FBI agent.
Most of the people staying in the hotel are either out-of-town press or staff of the Academy involved in running the show.
This evening went to the hotel bar. Mostly Academy staff although Catherine O'Hara was there (I'm guessing she'll be performing the song from A Mighty Wind tomorrow).
Met a rep called Chuck Holbrook who insisted on introducing me as the sound designer on Lord of the Rings. Not sure if it was because he'd had too much to drink of if he was just doing what reps do :-) He was with a crew doing an Oscar segment for MTV - same guys that had done the last couple of music videos for 50 Cent. Chuck is going to Elton John's party tomorrow night. I wonder if it will be as wild as the LoTR party :-)
Drank too many apple martinis.
by : Created on Feb. 28, 2004 : Last modified Feb. 8, 2005 : (permalink)