Wall*E makes history

[Ernest Rister]

'Wall-E,' 'Slumdog' win at ACE Eddies
Dickens nabs drama prize for 'Slumdog'
By PETER DEBRUGE

For the first time in the ACE Eddie Awards’ 59-year history, an animated feature has cut to the head of the class.

“Wall-E” editor Stephen Schaffer claimed the editing org’s comedy/musical trophy Sunday night, while “Slumdog Millionaire” editor Chris Dickens earned top honors in the drama category, adding to the film’s awards-season momentum.

Documentary honors went to “Man on Wire,” edited by Jinx Godfrey, whose work blended interviews, archival footage and reenactment.

Smallscreen winners included the half-hour “30 Rock,” hourlong “Breaking Bad” and, in the noncommercial category, the “True Blood” pilot. HBO’s “Recount” and Fox’s “24: Redemption” took home TV movie kudos. The latter marks a repeat win for “24” editor Scott Powell.

The nonscripted award went to “Greensburg,” a Discovery Channel series about a community rebuilding itself according to eco-friendly standards after it was hit by a tornado.

“Lethal Weapon” star Mel Gibson presented ACE’s filmmaker of the year trophy to director Richard Donner. “When you weren’t my tormentor, you were my mentor,” the thesp-turned-Oscar-winning helmer said from the stage. The pair have made six pics together.

Acknowledging a nine-film collaboration, director Robert Zemeckis presented career achievement honors to Arthur Schmidt, who edited “Forrest Gump” and the “Back to the Future” series. Veteran editor Sidney M. Katz also received a career achievement trophy.

Junna Xiao of the American Film Institute won the student editing competition.

Comedian Aisha Tyler emceed the ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The full list of winners

EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC)
“Slumdog Millionaire,” Chris Dickens

EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL)
“Wall-E,” Stephen Schaffer

EDITED DOCUMENTARY
“Man on Wire,” Jinx Godfrey

EDITED HALF-HOUR SERIES FOR TELEVISION
“30 Rock: Reunion,” Meg Reticker

EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“Breaking Bad: Pilot,” Lynne Willingham, A.C.E.

EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“True Blood: Strange Love,” Michael Ruscio, A.C.E. and Andy Keir

EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“Recount,” Alan Baumgarten, A.C.E.

EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“24: Redemption,” Scott Powell, A.C.E.

EDITED REALITY SERIES
“Greensburg: The Tornado,”
Leonard Feinstein and Phontaine Judd

STUDENT EDITING COMPETITION
Junna Xiao, American Film Institute

**

Thoughts -- it is rather extraorindary that an animated film has taken this honor. There is an infamous story in the animation community regarding Jeffrey Katzenberg. Newly hired to the Walt Disney company, he asked to see the films then in production, and he got a look at the impending release of The Black Cauldron. Katzenberg immediately wanted to make changes to it (the rumour is that he wanted to "relieve the darkness" of the film removing its violence, despite the intent of the original animators). And so Katzenberg, while taking over production of the film and re-editing it, asked for the coverage on a particular scene.

This spread like wildfire across the animation community.

There IS NO COVERAGE on an animated film, the "editing" is planned at the storyboard level. There certainly aren't alternate master shots or medium shots of the same scene. Katzenberg walked into an editing bay, looking to re-edit an animated film, only to find that the best he could was censor it.

For this reason, the pre-Katzenberg cut of The Black Cauldron has gained a status in the animation community, rightly or wrongly (probably wrongly), comparable to the frenzy over the lost original cut of Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons. Welles film was seized while he was out of the country, trimmed by studio powers, and the original cut has been lost forever. The pre-Katzy cut of The Black Cauldron may indeed be the superior version -- but we don't know. Over the years, screengrabs have leaked depcting soldiers dying as their skin bubbled and ruptured. There are shots in the trailer that aren't in the film (highly unusual for an animated film). Because the censoring happened so late in the game, famed composer Elmer Bernstein had already scored the uncut version -- and there was no time to rescore the new "Katzy" version, and so to this day, astute listeners can acually "hear" the cuts made by Katzenberg to the film.

The "uncut" version of The Black Cauldron is likely to be a lost film until people get off their ass and stop believing the film is a total piece of crap and raise some hell about how it was (and is still) being treated. The people in power at Disney need to stop protecting the egos and reputations of the former executives who allowed the cuts to happen.

Of course, it is possible none of the footage even exists anymore.

*sigh* *deep breath* *cut out the vitriol*

Okay, peeps. The reason Wall*E's win here is extraorindary and historic is because animated films are pre-edited before the final animation happens. Sure, there are some variances, but you would never see, for instance, the editorial nightmare that was "The Council of Elrond" in The Fellowship of the Ring, where you're sifting though miles of takes and coverage trying to make a movie out of 10 people in goofy costumes and makeup yelling at each other. You don't have that problem in animation. Every shot was figured out before the frames were drawn.

So its extraordinary that film editors have praised Wall*E for film editing. Think about it. It's a revolutionary moment in film history. It really is. For the first time, the EDDY is going to a film where the majority of the editing was planned before any shots were rendered and approved.

As for my unfortunate side-topic, maybe, someday, audience outcry may make a difference and force the release of the un-censored Black Cauldron, or maybe Disney will realize they can make a buck by restoring the film in its uncensored form. Either way, its not happening anytime soon.

[uziel5000]

Wow. Just learning about that forgotten chapter from The Black Cauldron. One learns something new every day.

I'm happy to hear about the award for WALL-E. For a moment there I thought the Academy was gonna do something right for a change and nominate WALL-E for Best Picture, looking past the fact it's an animated feature(they did it with Beauty and the Beast, its not that big a stretch folks).

If there ever was a lock in Best Animated Feature it would be WALL-E. Kung Fu Panda is great and funny but come on...

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by uziel5000

Wow. Just learning about that forgotten chapter from The Black Cauldron. One learns something new every day.

I'm happy to hear about the award for WALL-E. For a moment there I thought the Academy was gonna do something right for a change and nominate WALL-E for Best Picture, looking past the fact it's an animated feature(they did it with Beauty and the Beast, its not that big a stretch folks).

If there ever was a lock in Best Animated Feature it would be WALL-E. Kung Fu Panda is great and funny but come on...

The nod for Beauty and the Beast was a fluke due to the weak year that was 1991 -- and now that the Academy created a special category for Best Animated Feature, you'll never see such a thing again.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

The nod for Beauty and the Beast was a fluke due to the weak year that was 1991 -- and now that the Academy created a special category for Best Animated Feature, you'll never see such a thing again.

Yes very likely

[uziel5000]

You guys are probably right no doubt. But it doesnt mean it doesn't deserve a nod. WALL-E or any good animated feature that comes in the future.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

And so Katzenberg, while taking over production of the film and re-editing it, asked for the coverage on a particular scene.

Paraphrasing Christian Bale - F***'s sake, he was amateur.

And BTW if you watch the documentary on the story of Pixar on the Wall·E BD, Katzenberg is also prominently there, and not in a good way.

During the development of Toy Story, he was always pushing for more 'edgy' stuff, as in more irony and dark humor. As a result, the characters were totally unlikeable, the preview was a disaster and Disney shut down production.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Paraphrasing Christian Bale - F***'s sake, he was amateur.

And BTW if you watch the documentary on the story of Pixar on the Wall·E BD, Katzenberg is also prominently there, and not in a good way.

During the development of Toy Story, he was always pushing for more 'edgy' stuff, as in more irony and dark humor. As a result, the characters were totally unlikeable, the preview was a disaster and Disney shut down production.

In DisneyWar, it's reported Katzenberg and Eisner were presented with the opportunity to buy PIXAR for $12 million in 1986. Katzenberg is quoted telling Lasseter there was no future in CGI.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Paraphrasing Christian Bale - F***'s sake, he was amateur.

And BTW if you watch the documentary on the story of Pixar on the Wall·E BD, Katzenberg is also prominently there, and not in a good way.

During the development of Toy Story, he was always pushing for more 'edgy' stuff, as in more irony and dark humor. As a result, the characters were totally unlikeable, the preview was a disaster and Disney shut down production.

I thought that was fascinating. I remember getting the Ultimate Toy Box DVD set as a gift and devouring the supplemental material...my initial reaction to Woody's bastard incarnation was a spit-take and a Wally Shawn-inflected "Inconcievable!" Leslie Iwerks' doc is the first I've heard all that mis-development laid so squarely at Jeff K's feet.

(It's those kinds of moments that, for me, totally justify the existence of bonus features. Like watching the unused footage from Blade Runner and reflecting on what a travesty it might have been as well...)

I suppose Katzenberg is feeling quite satisfied with having pretty much swept WALL•E at the Annies.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Yeah, but they never name him specfically...

Now I'll have to go back an watch again, I guess: my initial impression was that he was definitely singled out and that struck me as particularly remarkable.

It also struck me how poetically just it is that Lasseter wears the hats he does today.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

I suppose Katzenberg is feeling quite satisfied with having pretty much swept WALL•E at the Annies.

To be fair, Kung Fu Panda was IMO the first good DW animated movie in a long, long time. I wonder how on earth it got greenlit and made without any pop culture references. Yeah, the celebrity voice talent is there, but isn't distracting.

[jkwest]

some amazing Disney information in this thread...I'm subscribing....keep em coming!!

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Yeah, but they never name him specfically, you have to be informed to recognize that it was Katzenberg making those "story notes" and that it may have been Katzenberg who made the decision to fire him. In DisneyWar, it's reported that Katzenberg told Lasseter there was no future in computer animation when he was fired. Well, who fired John? The obvious inference putting together the two sources is that it was Katzenberg. Why don't these people come right out and say it? Power protects power. Otherwise the ruling regime looks petty and small.

I think you might be mixing up events, and thinking of when Lasseter was fired from Disney after his pitch of Brave Little Toaster (using computer graphics) was rejected.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

I suppose Katzenberg is feeling quite satisfied with having pretty much swept WALL•E at the Annies.

Yeah, the same way the Academy felt satisifed sweeping The Color Purple with 12 nominations and no wins.

Amazing to see that Salieri's spirit lives on (at least the fictional Salieri), in all aspects of the arts, including the animaton industry. This is going to be a stain on the Annie's for generations. Whatever they got out of it, I hope it was worth it.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Grubert

I think you might be mixing up events, and thinking of when Lasseter was fired from Disney after his pitch of Brave Little Toaster (using computer graphics) was rejected.

"The Pixar Story" names the individual who gave Lasseter the bad news after he pitched The Brave Little Toaster. There's a whole lot of new quotes I need to upload.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Grubert

To be fair, Kung Fu Panda was IMO the first good DW animated movie in a long, long time. I wonder how on earth it got greenlit and made without any pop culture references. Yeah, the celebrity voice talent is there, but isn't distracting.

Agreed on that, Kung Fu Panda is so far their best work, but looking on the past and what they had to beat, well it was rather easy

Still I am happy and hoping they continue in this fashion but of course they are still light years behind PIXAR IMO

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Agreed on that, Kung Fu Panda is so far their best work.

On what level?

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Yeah, when do you think Lasster was informed there was no future in CGI? It was when he was fired. DisneyWar states Katzenberg was the one who said this to John after he developed The Brave Little Toaster. Meanwhile, "The Pixar Story" doesn't name the individual who fired Lasseter after he pitched The Brave Little Toaster. Katzenberg was running the joint with Roy as a figurehead, connect the dots, man.

Which is why when you say, "Yeah, but they never name him specfically, you have to be informed to recognize that it was Katzenberg making those "story notes" and that it may have been Katzenberg who made the decision to fire him" you are mixing up two very separate incidents:

- Toy Story development (1993): Katzenberg is named in the documentary as having suggested changes in the story

- The Brave Little Toaster development (1980s): Lasseter was fired from Disney. Katzenberg is not named; somebody else is, I should check back for that.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

On what level?

You did not use all of my phrase, I said compare to what they did before it was not hard. And they are also light years behind the quality of PIXAR.

Still King Fu Panda was Dreamwork first animation I was actualy able to enjoy without having the need to take a shower after it was done. It could also been the fact that it had quite a few scenes doing hommage to old Kung Fu flicks, which I love. It's also the only Dreamwork I bought ever.

The character of Po was fun and I love how they use the idea of his love of food to train him in Kung Fu, remind's me of druken master

Are they in the same league as PIXAR? Not even close! But Kung Fu Panda was a good step in the right direction.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Which is why when you say, "Yeah, but they never name him specfically, you have to be informed to recognize that it was Katzenberg making those "story notes" and that it may have been Katzenberg who made the decision to fire him" you are mixing up two very separate incidents:

- Toy Story development (1993): Katzenberg is named in the documentary as having suggested changes in the story

- The Brave Little Toaster development (1980s): Lasseter was fired from Disney. Katzenberg is not named; somebody else is, I should check back for that.

No one is named, someone delivers the news to him. "The Head of the Studio" is named -- that's Roy, Jeffrey, or Michael Eisner.

I'm conecting the quote to John from Katzenberg in DisneyWar to Leslie's Pixar story doc. Katzenberg is quoted as saying "There is no future" in CGI animation in DisneyWar when Lasseter was fired, but DisneyWar never says Katzenberg fired Lasseter.

In the Pixar doc, John pitches his CGI film, is called down to an executives room, is told, thanks for your project, its over, your employment is hereby terminated at the Walt Disney Studios.

Well, who would have made that call at the time? Roy? Doubtful. He was distant figurehead, not in on day to day minutae.

Eisner? Maybe.

Katzenberg? Probably. Maybe under Eisner's orders. But still...it was probably Katzenberg.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Are they in the same league as PIXAR? Not even close! But Kung Fu Panda was a good step in the right direction.

Seconded. Not even close, especially when compared to the best of Pixar, as Wall·E is.