Browse Articles by Mary Ann Skweres

Precious Moments at the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards

March 2010

At an event celebrating films that embody independence and originality, it was fitting that Lionsgate’s Precious, the brutally powerful film, based on a book deemed “unadaptable” by the mainstream entertainment industry, garnered top honors for the night.  Producers Lee Daniels, Gary Magness and Sarah Siegal-Magness took home the Best Picture Award, with Daniels also... »

Posted in Awards, News |

Contenders – Editors Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, The Hurt Locker

March 2010
Contenders – Editors Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, <em>The Hurt Locker</em>

Editor Bob Murawski was finishing Spiderman 3 when he got a call from friend, Paul Ottosson, who had been hired as sound designer on The Hurt Locker. Director Kathryn Bigelow was looking for an editor and wanted to meet him. Desperate to find an editor who would go to the Middle East, she was... »

Posted in Contender Portfolios, Editing, Featured |

The Stars Sparkle at the 12th Annual CDG Awards Gala

March 2010
The Stars Sparkle at the 12th Annual CDG Awards Gala

The Costume Designers Guild Awards was held Feb. 25 in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel to celebrate achievements in the art and craft of costume design with Swarovski once again acting as presenting sponsor. The glittering, crystal-curtained stage was a fitting backdrop for the star-studded event, hosted by Parker Posey who... »

Posted in Awards, Contender Portfolios, Costume Design, News |

The ACEs of Editing Shine at the 60th Annual Eddie Awards

February 2010

The 60th Annual ACE Eddie Awards, Feb. 14, recognized the outstanding editing of 2009. Top honors for Best Edited Feature Film, Drama went to The Hurt Locker, edited by Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, while Best Edited Feature Film, Comedy or Musical went to The Hangover editor Debra Neil-Fisher, A.C.E. »

Posted in Awards, Editing, News |

A.C.E. Awards Reception Honors Nominees

February 2010

In advance of the A.C.E. Eddie awards, the American Cinema Editors, the honorary organization of distinguished film and television editors, held its 10th annual nominees’ reception at the Kodak Atrium in Hollywood. The evening was an opportunity for the 2010 Eddie Nominees to come together and celebrate their art and craft while enjoying the... »

Posted in Awards, Editing, News |

Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in An Education

January 2010
Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in <em>An Education</em>

The critically acclaimed film, An Education, which garnered the Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, has quietly slipped into Oscar contention. From a script by British author Nick Hornby (About a Boy), and based on Lynn Barber’s memoir, the film is more than just the story of a bright schoolgirl on the... »

Posted in Director Series |

Contender – Cinematography, Eric Steelberg, Up In The Air

January 2010
Contender – Cinematography, Eric Steelberg, <em>Up In The Air</em>

As with many successful filmmaking collaborations, cinematographer Eric Steelberg has known director Jason Reitman for a long time. They met in high school through a friend and discovered a mutual interest in film. Staying in touch over the years, they began making short films together in college, then graduated to features... »

Posted in Camera, Contender Portfolios |

Contender – Cinematography, Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker

January 2010
Contender – Cinematography, Barry Ackroyd, <em>The Hurt Locker</em>

Director, Kathryn Bigelow called cinematographer, Barry Ackroyd, in the spring of 2007. She had seen United 93, which he had shot, and wanted The Hurt Locker to have the same "visceral look and immediacy of that film." Their first face-to-face meeting was in Jordan during prep in preproduction. "We discussed films, but I always... »

Posted in Camera, Contender Portfolios, Featured |

Defying Conventional Expectations in Up in the Air

December 2009
Defying Conventional Expectations in <em>Up in the Air</em>

With his earlier films Juno and Thank You for Smoking, Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman established himself as a smart, imaginative and wry storyteller with a penchant for provocative anti-heroes that defy conventional expectations. With his latest offering, Up in the Air, based on Walter Kirn’s 2001 novel of the same title, Reitman continues along... »

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Posted in Director Series |

The Invisible Art of Cutting Films

November 2009
The Invisible Art of Cutting Films

“Every editor is going to tell you the same thing,” says Sheldon Kahn, A.C.E. “If you don’t notice the editing, that’s good editing. Whether it’s an animated picture o »

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Posted in Editing, Featured, For Your Consideration |



Director Series

Joe Johnston Conjures The Wolfman

February 2010 | By Scott Essman

Joe Johnston Conjures <em>The Wolfman</em>

Former Industrial Light and Magic art director Joe Johnston became a feature film director over 20 years ago when he came aboard... »



Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in An Education

January 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres

Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in <em>An Education</em>

The critically acclaimed film, An Education, which garnered the Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, has quietly slipped into Oscar contention. From... »


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Exclusive Film Reviews

Up in the Air

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>Up in the Air</em>

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s... »



The Young Victoria

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>The Young Victoria</em>

The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was... »


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