Notes From The Show Floor At The 2016 Eddie Awards

By: Marjorie Galas

Adam Devine kicked off the 2016 Eddie Awards by recalling his time spent in an editing bay.

“I ate Triskets and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and gained 35 pounds from one week in an edit bay.”

After a bit revealing his “Top 100 Edits” – narrowed from number 100 to number one due to time limitations, Devine’s top clip revealed a single take.

“The best edit sometimes is no edit at all,” quipped Devine.

Some esteemed editors in the audience could be heard murmuring “He’s right, you know.”  While no winners that evening had edit-less films, those who walked away with statues presented a wide range of styles, from the very kinetic pace of “The Big Short” to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” traditional circle and cross plane swipes adopted directly from the original.

The first category of the evening was for the Student Editor. With a press table directly behind the interns and students in attendance, it was impossible to hear the name of the winner of the enthusiasm of their joy for their peers.  Interestingly, out of over a thousand submissions of students who all competed with the same footage: a scene from “Nashville,” the three finalists all represented the University of North Carolina.

After winning the award for “Best TV Documentary”, the team from “The Jinx” remarked that they knew they had a really spellbinding story, and credited their mentors for providing them with the knowledge that allowed them to collaborate in solidarity and build a compelling story.  The winner of the Documentary Feature, Chris King, recalled feeling like he was walking into a cold case every day he went to the editing suite.

“There were photos all over the room of the leads in the story.  It was tragic and sad work,” said King.  “There were many times it was completely depressing but it was also a beautiful story.  I thank my wife and children for putting up with my moods.”

Lawrence Kasdan introduced Career Achievement Award recipient Carol Littleton, ACE. He recalled their first collaboration on “Body Heat.”  “After I sent her the script she told me how funny it was,” said Kasdsan.  “It was exactly what I was going for.”  The two collaborated on numerous films, including “The Big Chill.”  Kasdan remembered Littleton found a stray cat during the shoot and brought it into the edit suite.  The animal became protective of Littleton, and would pounce on the director’s head.   Despite his resentment of the feline that accompanied Littleton in edit suites for years to come, he appreciated her compassion and commitment to the human spirit, a factor he felt always came through in her films. Littleton was overwhelmed when she approached the podium, quickly thanking the guild and all the producers and directors that have greatly influenced her over the years.

“I’m overwhelmed by your offering this to me,” said Littleton.

Steve Martin was on hand to present Nancy Meyers with the guild’s distinguished Golden Eddie Award.  After showing a few clips highlighting his work in several of Meyers, films, Meyers approached the stage and gave a warm hug to the star.

“It is such a big deal that you are here for me tonight,” said Meyers.  She continued, “It is very unusual for a woman in Hollywood to receive an award that doesn’t have the word ‘woman’ in it.”

After winning the final film of the evening, first time Eddie Award nominee Margaret Sixel approached the stage, humbled by the recognition.

“I feel like there has been some mistake.  I’m in a category with such masters.  This is truly a tremendous moment for me.”

Below please find the complete list of the 2016 Eddie Awards:

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC): Mad Max: Fury Road Margaret Sixel

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY): The Big Short Hank Corwin, ACE

BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: Inside Out Kevin Nolting, ACE

BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE): Amy Chris King

BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (TELEVISION): The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst "A Body in the Bay" Zac Stuart-Pontier, Richard Hankin, ACE, Caitlyn Greene, Shelby Siegel

BEST EDITED HALF-HOUR SERIES FOR TELEVISION: Inside Amy Schumer: “12 Angry Men
” Nick Paley

BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION: Mad Men: “Person to Person” Tom Wilson

BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION: House of Cards: “Chapter 39” Lisa Bromwell, ACE

BEST EDITED LONGFORM (MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE) FOR TELEVISION: Bessie Brian A. Kates, ACE

BEST EDITED NON-SCRIPTED SERIES: Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown: “Bay Area” Hunter Gross, ACE

BEST STUDENT EDITING: Chris Dold – University of North Carolina, School of the Arts