William Goldenberg (Film Editor) on Film Editing, Inspirations, Working with Directors, & More

Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz

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Kevin is joined by Academy Award-winning film editor, William Goldenberg.

William Goldenberg, Editor
William (Billy) Goldenberg is an award-winning editor who has worked on over 20 films and television shows. His numerous awards include the BAFTA and the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Argo. Goldenberg also received Oscar nominations for his editing work on Seabiscuit, The Insider, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Imitation Game. He has worked closely with award-winning directors Michael Mann, Ben Affleck, and Kathryn Bigelow.
And the Oscar goes to… (2:25)
Billy talks about what it was like being nominated for the Academy Award for Editing for two films in the same year, Zero Dark Thirty and Argo. Goldenberg recounts how it was the most nerve-wracking thing that has ever happened to him. He talks about winning for Argo and his acceptance speech, focusing on the microphone to blur out the stars in the front row and how he has not been able to re-watch the speech.
Learning to take criticism (8:19)
Kevin asks Billy to talk about his mentor, Michael Kahn. Billy tells the story about how he took over for Kahn on the film Alive and the process of editing and re-editing on film. Kahn taught Billy a valuable lesson on how to take criticism and react positively.
Working with directors (16:16)
Billy and Kevin discuss what it takes to be a successful editor in Hollywood, and they delve into the process of what it is like to be in the editing room with such award-winning directors as Michael Mann and Ben Affleck. Goldenberg relates a story about going back and forth with Michael Mann while working on the film Ali.
Length vs. Pace (19:30)
Kevin brings up a vital concept in film editing, pace. The pair discuss the difference between the length of a film and the pace of the film and how it relates to how the audience reacts to a movie. Billy talks about being in the editing room with Ben Affleck for Gone Baby Gone and working on the pace and length of the film.
Film school and early work (31:22)
Billy talks about switching from medical school to film school and how he wanted to be an editor from early on. He talks about his first job as a PA and one of his first jobs as an assistant editor on Steven Spielberg’s film Always.
How Bradley Cooper changed Argo (40:10)
Kevin asks Billy to talk about his most memorable audience testing experience. Billy recounts multiple test screenings for Argo and how feedback from Bradley Cooper led to a significant change in the film that resulted in fantastic testing results.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: William Goldenberg
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about William Goldenberg:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0325549/
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
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Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com