Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Watching a deceased subject as you edit


Not an easy thing to do. I absolutely had no time to grieve after Trip passed away last Thursday before I was forced to pick up the edit where I left off. I'm under a deadline to get the new/shorter/tighter version on my documentary about him: Trip to Hell and Back out to festivals that have been asking for it since it won a grand prize award at the Rhode Island Intl. Film Festival earlier this month.
Hearing and seeing the subject of my documentary in that repetitious, mind numbing fashion that only editors can understand is not easy. His face and picture play over and over again as I adjust each edit. It's not so much haunting for me. More like...I'm in prison. I am never, ever going to be finished with this thing and now more than ever I need to be.

1 comment:

  1. Stu,
    After several attempts at home and at work, I finally was able to view the trailer for Trip to Hell and Back.
    It is very powerful, to say the least . I think even more so because I knew Trip. I met Trip 31 years ago this weekend---yup, the Sunday evening before Labor Day at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. I was 19 and Trip was 26. I am not in the horse world and never traveled in those circles that Trip spent his lifetime in.
    I have been more distraught than I could ever imagine upon hearing of his death. We emailed and Aimed for years.
    I read your last entry on your blog about editing your piece, the pressure for time and the difficult task having to view images of Trip. Do know, that this too will pass. I was relieved that Trip escaped the ridicule of people. The timing of his death leaves him out of the gossip loop,so to speak.
    I hope that you will be able to step aside from the pressure of your work, take a deep breathe and know that your piece will be a success. I am glad you got to know my friend Trip and I am so pleased by all the comments on his blog and other places, that he was so loved.
    Cinda

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