Now since eight years Isaac Florentine works regularly with his editor Irit Raz. She contributed her part to the success of "Undisputed II: Last Man Standing" and was so friendly to answer some questions:
How did you select the profession of an editor? Directors want to make movies and actors want to play in front of the camera. But an editor? She (or respective he) is an important pillar for every director but unfortunately also a job the audience appreciates very seldom. So what was your motivation behind this occupation?
I think I was born to become an editor. My gift is putting things together, different periods, mixings styles and making them feel seamlessly organic. I like editing because it is telling a story with a mixture of pacing, visuals, sound and music. It is like dressing up a bride. First there is the naked material, It is very basic, then I alter a bit here and I take off a bit there and I pace it up and slow it down, I bring it to a climate and then drop it off for a while before we go up again. It is like music. Every movie has it's own different tune, different and unique rythm. When all this is done I put some make up on with the right spots for music and sound and voila - the bride is ready to take off. For me the movie is made in the editing room. A good editor can take bad material and make it work. It is almost like magic and it grows on you. On the set there are too many decision to make and being a control freac as I am it is really scary! I probably would make the heads of departments work unbearable! I still am in awe of how Directors make their days. It is much easier to sit in an airconditioned room and scold the actors on the screen. Nobody answers back or has an opinion ... If a film works the audience do not notice the editing and that's the greatest compliment!
You began your career in Israel and edited movies as for example "My Mother the General", "A Crazy Dad" or the quaint German comedy "Pinups und ein heißer Typ" (Sorry, I only know the German title) and you often cooperated with Joel Silberg. But after that you went to U.S.A. and worked on the tale "Hansel and Gretel" for Cannon. In what way did Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan influence your decision to go to America?
Menachem Golan gave me the 1st opportunity to edit a film when I was just 25. I met him in the street in Tel- Aviv and he knew me from being an assistant editor on several films and he asked me what am I up too and I had the Israeli Chutzpa and I said : "I am waiting for my first feature ". So he told me to come the following day to his office and gave me my 1st feature as a chief editor on" My Mom The General " directed by Joel Silberg which started my collaboration with Joel on 4 films. With Joel I went to edit a film in Berlin titled:" The Pinups " Hansel and Gretel was actually shot in Israel and was edited in London with the American director named Len Talan. The fairy tales series was the begining of the Cannon company . Menachem Golan established it in Los Angeles and I felt that I needed to expand my horizons and grow and give myself a chance with the BIG BOYS in Hollywood so I moved to Los Angeles. Unfortunately by the time I moved Cannon hardly existed anymore and so it took me a long and agonizing time to break into the industry.
You cooperated with different directors such as Sam Firstenberg, Steve Carver and Allan A. Goldstein. How difficult is it to adapt yourself for a new director with new methods and procedures?
It is funny that you mentioned the Directors that I like working with the most....It was really great to work with Sam ( very easy going ), Allan Goldstein ( great sense of humour )and Steve. Steve Carver was the first action director I worked with. Up to that point I had been considered to be an artsy editor. In fact it was hard for me to get to work with NUIMAGE later in years because it was said that even though I was a good editor I was a woman and as one, would not know how to cut action....Isaac had to put his fist down on the table and insist that I could do action! Now, it is hard for me to get a drama film to edit because I have too much action on my resume...Life sure has it's irony....
A director/ editor relationship is very complicated. It is like a marriage for a short period. Sometime you hit it right and sometimes it is hell. I have worked with directors whose opinions I really didn't appreciate, in such cases it becomes a very boring experience. Then,on the other hand I've collaborated with directors that inspired me and that helped me grow as an editor and as a person. I am not the type of editor that will say yes to everything the director suggests. I am opinionated and I'll try every trick to convince the director to look at things the way I see it if I feel I am right. However, I do work with a director and I'll try everything to make the film work. If there is a disagreement, I will always find a third way that we both can agree upon. This is the process of editing and with that the film changes and gets into shape. I love this process. Every director is different, just like - I presume - every editor is different. Every director places a different emphasis on things. Some like to be in the editing room all the time and some come for a short time each day and give their notes. Whatever works; as long as the picture benefit from it.
If comedy, horror, action, drama or science fiction you have experiences in every genre. Which requirements the different genres bring with it? Needs an action movie more flair than a comedy?
I believe a good editor can edit different genres. I actually like to work on different genres if I can: doing an action film then a drama then a comedy. It keeps your mind open and sharpen your senses but I derive from all different genres and all of my experience to edit . I just love editing everything ( if it is a good material of course...)
The last few years you were only involved in Nu Image productions. Are you so wedded with this company or why didn't you work for other studios?
I work with Nuimage because they give me the opportunity and the appreciate my capability, I feel at home there If the right opportunity comes I'll consider working with another studio.
Now let's talk about your symbiosis with Isaac Florentine. How did you become acquainted with him?
Isaac is great! He is not afraid of a strong character, he actually likes it . It is funny to describe how we met. It was when he was looking for an editor for his film "Savate". My friend Bernard Salzman was the Director of Photography on the show and he recommended me for the editing. When my interview came I had an 8 month old baby and my babysitter could not come all of a sudden. I was sure I bummed! Going to an interview in Hollywood with an action director with a baby in a stroller? Not a chance...But Isaac has kids too and he related to it and I got the job! He is very uncharacteristic for an action director. He likes working with women he is so non-Chauvinistic, it is wonderful!
You both worked together on 8 films. So please describe this longtime relationship between him and you.
Our relationship was not established over night. It took time, but I think we push each other to do more and better and we compliment each other. We both have our strength and by now recognize them in each other - and we trust each other. We are not afraid to speak up and argue when needed. I am always looking forward to a project with Itzik ( that how I call him ) I know he'll kick my butt and I know will get the best out of the material and that I'll be proud of the results. Itzik is very funny and very loyal and is very talented and unique. He is one of a kind!
Isaac told me you have very strong opinions. How can I unterstand this? How big is your influence on his movies?
I think number 7 includes an answer to this question. I am not a cutter, I am an editor and I am proud of my craft and I still love doing it after all these years. I believe the movie is done in the editing room and I believe I contribute to the success of every film I work on.
Ok, the closing words are yours. If you want to say something to your readers is this your chance.
I think I said enough; an editor is someone who is behind the scenes and not in front of a camera...and anyhow, who is going to edit this interview for me?
Best of luck
Irit Raz- Mcbride
