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The Guild is purchasing approximately 2,500 square feet in a condominium building at 145 Hudson Street in Tribeca, a few blocks south of Canal Street. The new space is open and bright, with high ceilings and windows to let in the sun. We’ve hired an architectural firm to design the office, with the goal to move in by the end of the year. This new location will give the Guild a visibility in New York that we’ve never had. We’ll be close to the many new editing facilities now located downtown, as well as the offices of several producers important to Guild members. The space is large enough for the Guild to host outside meetings, such as the East Coast Council’s contract discussions with producers, as well as our quarterly membership meetings and seminars. We hope to have the December quarterly membership meeting in our new home. Keep an eye open for the invitation, and please come! History Project Starts The first interview for the Eastern Region’s history project took place this past April at the home of Lora Hayes, a Local 771 charter member. Hayes began editing in 1938 and has had a distinguished career in both documentary and narrative films. She took time away from the cutting room to produce, but still edits and teaches editing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Retired member Wally Katz, a noted documentary editor who was once Ms. Hayes’ assistant, conducted the interview, while members Nick Corrao and Danny Pagan served as the crew. Member Angelo Corrao also helped to coordinate the event. The goal of the history project is to create an archive of visual and audio interviews about film editing in New York City and the Eastern Region. New York was the birthplace of filmmaking in the early years of the twentieth century, and New York editors have distinguished themselves in their work, from the early Paramount pictures filmed at Astoria studios, to newsreels, television news, documentaries and feature films. Editors Local 771 was originally chartered in New York in April 1943, and in 1998 merged with Local 776 to form the national Motion Picture Editors Guild, Local 700. This year is the 60th anniversary of an editor’s union in New York, a fact that should make all of us very proud. Eastern Region Director A. Maddy Shirazi chairs the History Committee, and he and committee members Harry C. Bolles and Damian Begley are guiding this important project. If anyone wishes to help or would like to suggest other members to be interviewed, please get in touch with the committee by contacting one of its members or the New York office. Eastern Region Alternates Join Board Assistant picture editor Carrie Puchkoff and sound editor Lou Ceborino are the latest members to become your representatives on the Board of Directors. Carrie was elected alternate director last November, and in her brief time on the board has already become a valued member, devoting much time and energy toward the development of our new office space. The national board appointed Lou as interim alternate director to fill a vacancy caused by an increase in Eastern Region membership, which triggered the creation of an additional director seat. Lou started in April and will remain as an interim alternate until the next election. For many years, Lou was a very active Executive Board member of Local 771, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him back. Members should talk to Carrie and Lou if they have any questions or suggestions, or if they need the union’s assistance in any way. Their contact information is Carrie Puchkoff, (212) 614-0419, carrie@puchkoff.com, and Louis Cerborino, (201) 664-9072, lourino@warpdriveonline.com Guild Member Edits NYC PSA Local 700 member Travis Antolik donated his services to edit Beyond the Skyline, a short film promoting New York City as a location for entertainment production. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Film and Television produced the spot, which features popular New York performers such as Harvey Keitel, Jerry Orbach, John Turturro, Whoopi Goldberg and Kristin Davis. All of the New York production locals supported the spot, which premiered at the second annual Tribeca Film Festival. We are pleased that our city government is actively involved in promoting New York filmmaking, and proud that union members were able to contribute to such a worthy cause. Business Agent Bill Bender Passes Away Retired Local 771 member Bill Bender died in February 2003. Bill was the business agent of Local 771 from 1980 to 1988. In those days, the business agent (a position similar to executive director) was not appointed by the Executive Board but elected by the membership. Bill was the first BA who was not an editor; his background was as a professional union man, a Teamster. Bill cared deeply about Local 771 and advocated strongly for its members. He became a member himself, and even after his employment ended, he maintained his membership for the rest of his life. |
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