At the 65th Annual ACE Eddie Awards, Sandra Adair, ACE, took home the best edited feature film (dramatic) award for Boyhood while Barney Pilling won best edited feature film (comedy/musical) for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Lego Movie, edited by David Burrows and Chris McKay, won best edited animated feature film.
In accepting her award Adair shared, “It was an extraordinary experience from beginning to end, trusting the process of shooting and editing each year to inform the next year’s production, and having the rare opportunity to work on a film that touches something of the humanity in all of us. The awesome part is that all of my assistant editors from the 12 years are here tonight. They came from Austin, Texas.”
Citizenfour, edited by Mathilde Bonnefoy, won best edited documentary (feature). In the best edited documentary (television) category The Roosevelts: An Intimate History: Episode 3 / The Fire of Life, edited by Erik Ewers, took top honors. Bonnefoy shared her observation that “translating real life events into art is a way to make sense of them.”
Trophies were handed out in 10 categories of film, television and documentaries. The black-tie affair was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 30 with a record number of over 1,000 in attendance. ACE president, Alan Heim, opened the ceremony by sharing the plans and mandate of the American Cinema Editors to advance the art and science of the editing profession. He thanked attendees for “joining us tonight as we celebrate the creative achievements of our nominees in the art of film editing, such an important part of the filmmaking process.”
Serving as master of ceremonies, actress/comedian Mary Lynn Rajskub got an uproarious response from the crowd when she stated, “Movies are shot on the set, but made in the bay. You take raw footage. You shape it. You nuance it. You finesse it and then you nuance it some more. You bring it to life, and then the director takes all the credit.”
Award-winning filmmaker Frank Marshall received the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year honor presented to him by actor Chris Pratt. Marshall started his career working with Peter Bogdanovich on a film for Roger Corman. On What’s Up Doc, his third feature with Bogdanovich, he became fascinated with the editing process from working with celebrated editor, Verna Fields. Marshall accepted his award, saying, “I’m thrilled to be here tonight because I know what you do.” Among Marshall’s long list of credits are five Oscar-nominated films: Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Color Purple, The Sixth Sense, Seabiscuit and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Career Achievement Awards went to industry veterans Diane Adler, ACE and Jerry Greenberg, ACE. Their work was highlighted with clip reels exhibiting their tremendous contributions to film and television throughout their careers.
Adler started as a secretary at the old Bronson studio before getting her break into television editorial. In presenting the lifetime honor, NCIS executive producer, Charles Floyd Johnson, who had worked with her on iconic series such as Bret Maverick, The Rockford Files and Kojak, credited Adler’s success not only to her talent, but the fact that “Dianne has never been afraid of hard work.”
Editor Carol Littleton was on hand to present Greenberg with his award. Starting as an apprentice for renowned editor, Dede Allen, during his long and illustrious career, Greenberg garnered an Oscar for editing The French Connection, as well as Oscar best editing nominations for Apocalypse Now and Kramer vs Kramer. Other noteworthy credits include The Untouchables, The Accused, Scarface, Body Double and Christmas Vacation. Littleton pointed out that Greenfeld is equally adept at editing drama, action and comedy.
The Robert Wise Award was presented to journalist Carolyn Giardina of The Hollywood Reporter. The award, which has only been presented a few times in the organizations’ history, is given in recognition of journalism that makes the public aware of the crucial role film editing plays in the filmmaking process. The honor was particularly meaningful to Giardina because of her admiration of Robert Wise’s work. She noted, “It’s a strange feeling to be standing here. During the opening remarks, I had to resist the temptation to start taking notes.”
ACE executive director, Jenni McCormack produced the show and ACE treasurer, editor Ed Abroms, ACE, chaired the Eddies’ committee. Among the evening’s presenters were actors Matt Damon, Rene Russo, Allen Leech, Robin Leach, Jeff Garlin and Amanda Fuller, and directors Richard Linklater and Dan Gilroy.
Pre-ceremony, Avid sponsored cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as offering professional photos to the guests. To avoid last year’s fiasco – when the usual impromptu after party at Trader Vic’s was usurped by another group – Avid, Encore, Pixar and Technicolor stepped in to reserve Trader Vics and the adjoining poolside patio for the post ceremony celebration where congratulations were conveyed with champagne toasts.
The 65th Annual Ace Eddie award winners are:
Best Edited Feature Film (Dramatic)
Boyhood
Sandra Adair, ACE
Best Edited Feature Film (Comedy Or Musical)
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Barney Pilling
Best Edited Animated Feature Film
Lego Movie
David Burrows & Chris McKay
Best Edited Documentary (Feature)
Citizenfour
Mathilde Bonnefoy
Best Edited Documentary (Television)
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History: Episode 3 / The Fire of Life
Erik Ewers
Best Edited Half-Hour Series For Television
Veep: “Special Relationship”
Anthony Boys
Best Edited One-Hour Series For Commercial Television
Sherlock: “His Last Vow”
Yan Miles
Best Edited One-Hour Series For Non-Commercial Television
True Detective: “Who Goes There”
Affonso Gonçalves
Best Edited Miniseries Or Motion Picture For Television
The Normal Heart
Adam Penn
Best Edited Non-Scripted Series
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown: Iran
Hunter Gross
Best Student Editing
Johnny Sepulveda (Video Symphony)
