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Getting to Know You | |
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Introducing Ordinary Members of the Guild | |
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Craig Michael Collins | |
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I have a vision and a goal - to edit film. Throughout my career I've done dailies, coded film reels, reconned, made tags, leader, etc. I've also witnessed some dry years in the editorial department. Why? I thought about something Mark Goldblatt said at one of the Guild's Fireside Chats, reported on in the November/December 1998 issue of the Newsletter: "Know when to keep your mouth shut and lick your wounds" (click here for the interview).
At present I work with craft service Local 727 and grips Local 80 - I even have a SAG card - all of which keeps me in the neighborhood for pursuing my goals. Of course, it's also important for the pension hours, Health and Welfare, and steady paycheck. But for awhile I was prepared to just give up on the editing dream. I kept my Local 776 dues current, kept on the availability roster and landed a few jobs, including one at FOX Channel 11 editorial in Los Angeles, where I checked video timecodes, looking for any glitches before the shows aired. But for the most part, not much was materializing in the editorial field. Even so, I sent resumés and went on interviews.
I've often thought of guys like Mark Mangini and Steve Mirkovich. Steve and I were apprentices together at Warner Bros. years ago. Mark, I met at Hannah-Barbera. These guys had it going. They were good then and look at them now. Great work, guys.
The November/December Newsletter had another article, "A Tiger's Tale," which is what really inspired me to renew my editorial goals. I realized that it wasn't all over for me, that I have a lot to offer and, of course, a lot to learn. I've been around the industry many years. I know how the process works, from script to production to cutting room to the seat in your local theater. I understand now that I just need to train harder, like a boxer before a big fight. Last year I took the Avid class and will take it again in 1999. And I'll keep learning as much as I can between jobs.
I'm determined to pursue my heart's desire and fulfill my goal of landing a job in editorial. In the past, when I was out looking for work, I'd say to editors and post-production supervisors, "I'll even clean Moviola light bulbs." Now it's "I'll even clean your monitors." I know it's never too late to pursue your goals and dreams. Never give up principles over personalities.
Thanks, Tiger, for your inspiration, and thanks to the Newsletter for its encouragement. And a happy New Year to all my brothers and sisters in our new Local 700. Let's edit great films this year.
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Birthplace: Springfield, Mass. |
Reprinted from
The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter
Vol. 19, No. 5 - September/October 1998
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Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700