| by Peter Steel
Hey Mimi,
I just enjoying watching re-runs of China Beach and I felt it was about time I made contact with you. Something I've been meaning to do for many years.
The reason being, that you are the woman that inspired my career.
There comes a point where you love and appreciate something so much that you instinctively want to analyse what it is about it that is so absorbing. So, it was with the great series, China Beach. I found it compelling viewing and couldn't get enough of it.
As the series progressed, i was struck by a new awareness. I started to look at episodes and scenes and try to figure out what it was about them that I found so captivating. In doing so, I began to appreciate your skills at extruding great performances, holding the poignant moments, directing for the maximum emotional resonance.
Stuff that all viewers "feel". Only now i could not only feel it, but I was beginning to understand the mechanics behind the drama.
I had most the the episodes recorded and decided to hook up two VCRs and dub across all the great scenes onto one tape. And then a funny thing happened -
a revelation for want of a better word. I realized the power of editing. How an editor could manipulate the assets to reinforce the message the Director was conveying. I came to understand important factors - that every frame and every second matters, what shots to cut together, when to go to different angles.
Close-ups ! Close-ups ! Close-ups !
All this knowldge of what to cut, where and when was like some sort or amazing insight into how to entice viewers to respond to the two dimensional image in their living room. There was this power to harness enormous dramatic moments and prick the viewers emotions... sting their awareness by prudent, editing. And its not something you can be good at by reading books. It's intuitive.
You may find this next bit amusing, if not pathetic ;)
Then the experiments began. The first thing I ever edited was a music video to "Reflections". I bought a tape with the full version of the song on it and decided to compose a montage of shots set to the music. Sheesh...The last time I told this story was when I was applying for admission to Film School in 1993 and im sure it was the reason they let my sorry ass in - well, apart from wanting my money.
Anyway, first I would have all the episodes in front of me. Of course I wanted the visuals to match the songs highs and lows, the drums and cymbal crashes. So I went thru the tapes and wrote down the counter number for where explosions were, screams, tears, kisses, helicopters etc. Then id play the song with headphones on and assemble shot after shot in linear sequence. Id have to change tapes all the time for each shot, then rewind the music a bit to feel it, then press record again... There was a 4 second delay between pressing the button and when it would actually record, which meant i would have to do it soooooo many times to get it on the right frame.
It took me such a long time. When it was done, I dubbed the finished sequence back to another VHS tape but jacked in the tape player to the VCR inputs to record the music over the top at the exact timing.
I was so proud of the finished product. Then that episode came out with the "We gotta get outta this place" song, and I did the whole process again because it was such a more powerful song. By this time i had the whole process nailed. All this dubbing back and forth meant the final image quality was terrible, but I still think it was actually one of the sweetest pieces Ive cut. I just wish that tape was in existence still, somewhere in my parents home in Australia.
Years later, Ive worked on music videos, short films, corporate videos. Hell i even did porn for a while to satisfy my editing fix. And when the company that was doing that folded, I bought their AVID and have it set up at home along with final cut pro.
I love editing and now I am doing it for the CBC.
(Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
The show, ZeD, is commercial-free and focuses on alternative arts and culture. We show short films from all around the world, people can upload their animations, music, artworks and such though our website and we air them. Its a free platform and launchpad for new and emerging talent - not just in Canada but from all around the world. The show is a great success, as is the website (zed.cbc.ca).
It feels great to be supporting new talent and visionaries and every day I get to edit live bands (with 6 camera angles to chose from... YEAHHH!!!) and beautifully lit sets. And the rest of the time we make 4 minute stylized mini-documentaries on
people and scenes that inspire and empower.
Anyway. Thats enough rambling. I was just watching Chine Beach re-runs and was reflecting on my humble beginnings, and the role you played in transforming a bored botanist into a passionate artist.
And the best part is, that Im actually good at it too.
So, thanks for that...dare I say it.... mentor....
I really appreciate all you are doing in the film and television industry.
You give it substance and humanity.
Respectfully,
Peter Steel
PS: You havent got any old tapes laying around that i could play with, eh? Just for old times sake ;)
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