Emmy-Winning Editor Arielle Amsalem on Documentary Storytelling
01/31/24 • 46 min
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-winning Documentary Editor Arielle Amsalem. Arielle has worked on docs including By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, Whose Streets?, The Education of Dee Dee Ricks, Coming Back with Wes Moore, and They Called Him Mostly Harmless. In our chat, Arielle shares about her upbringing, path into film editing, education at NYU, and mentorship by legendary editor Sam Pollard. She also talks about her creative process on projects — and offers insights on the art of non-fiction storytelling.
The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems.
Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE
Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats.
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From our Friends at Broadfield...
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ZEISS Conversations with Curren Sheldon
Thursday, February 1st
Join ZEISS Conversations to explore coal country and discuss the ASC Award Nominated documentary, “King Coal.” Filmmakers Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Curren Sheldon have received accolades including an Oscar nomination and Emmy Award for their documentary filmmaking which frequently seeks to shine a light on their home state of West Virginia. The pair’s latest film is the 2023 Sundance premiering “King Coal,” a lyrical tapestry focused on the complex history of the coal industry and the communities that have grown up in its embrace. The filmmakers chose to mix verité with magical realism to stylistically honor the Appalachians who make up the story.
Sheldon selected ZEISS CP.3 lenses with a Canon C300 and a C70 as his primary camera package throughout filming. We are excited hear more about Curren’s novel approach to the cinematography of “King Coal.” Register below to join a virtual Q&A with Curren this Thursday, February 1st at 12pm PST, 3pm EST.
Register for Free Here
Featured Book:
In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication.
Get a copy here
Podcast Rewind:
Jan. 2024 - Ep. 24...
The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.
If you’d like to be considered as a guest, or to promote your products to over 10K top film & TV production pros reading this newsletter, email us: [email protected]
Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-winning Documentary Editor Arielle Amsalem. Arielle has worked on docs including By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, Whose Streets?, The Education of Dee Dee Ricks, Coming Back with Wes Moore, and They Called Him Mostly Harmless. In our chat, Arielle shares about her upbringing, path into film editing, education at NYU, and mentorship by legendary editor Sam Pollard. She also talks about her creative process on projects — and offers insights on the art of non-fiction storytelling.
The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems.
Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE
Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats.
Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live
From our Friends at Broadfield...
Now through Feb 15, 2024, you can buy your RED camera from a Broadfield Authorized Dealer and get a FREE Memory Card!
Buy RED KOMODO-X or V-RAPTOR Brain and get a Free 325GB OWC CFExpress - $399.99 value.
Buy RED KOMODO and get a Free 256GB SanDisk CFast Card - $329.99 value.
Find your Broadfield & RED dealer Here
ZEISS Conversations with Curren Sheldon
Thursday, February 1st
Join ZEISS Conversations to explore coal country and discuss the ASC Award Nominated documentary, “King Coal.” Filmmakers Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Curren Sheldon have received accolades including an Oscar nomination and Emmy Award for their documentary filmmaking which frequently seeks to shine a light on their home state of West Virginia. The pair’s latest film is the 2023 Sundance premiering “King Coal,” a lyrical tapestry focused on the complex history of the coal industry and the communities that have grown up in its embrace. The filmmakers chose to mix verité with magical realism to stylistically honor the Appalachians who make up the story.
Sheldon selected ZEISS CP.3 lenses with a Canon C300 and a C70 as his primary camera package throughout filming. We are excited hear more about Curren’s novel approach to the cinematography of “King Coal.” Register below to join a virtual Q&A with Curren this Thursday, February 1st at 12pm PST, 3pm EST.
Register for Free Here
Featured Book:
In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication.
Get a copy here
Podcast Rewind:
Jan. 2024 - Ep. 24...
The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.
If you’d like to be considered as a guest, or to promote your products to over 10K top film & TV production pros reading this newsletter, email us: [email protected]
Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Previous Episode
American Zoetrope's James Mockoski Talks Restoration of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, & More
In this episode, we welcomed James Mockoski, Film Archivist and Restoration Supervisor at American Zoetrope. Over the last twenty years, James has worked on and restored The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, One from the Heart, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, The Cotton Club, and The Conversation for its 50th Anniversary in 2024. In addition, James restored the Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” for its 40th Anniversary last year — and is producing Mike Figgis’ documentary about the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. In our chat, James shares his backstory, how he entered the field of film restoration, his cinematic inspirations, and his perspectives on preservation.
The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems.
Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE
Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats.
Check it out here
From our Friends at Videoguys...
The Atomos Ninja bundled with Atomos Connect combines the newest 5" monitor/recorder & playback device with the latest Atomos Cloud features enabled by Atomos Connect. The free 6-month subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio enables camera-to-cloud, remote collaboration and review, cloud editing, live production and streaming. This complete solution will even include an accessory kit with rechargeable batteries, fast-charger, screen protector, travel case and more!
Learn more here
ZEISS CinCraft Scenario
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Podcast Rewind:
Jan. 2024 - Ep. 23...
The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.
To promote your products to over 8,500 leading film & TV industry pros, email us at [email protected]
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Producer/DP Ben Staley On “Deadliest Catch” & Other Tales in Filmmaking
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-winning Cinematographer and Producer Ben Staley. Ben has worked extensively on the popular series “Deadliest Catch” — as well as “Ice Road Truckers,” “Lost Gold of the Aztecs,” “Alaskan Bush People,” “Mysterious Creatures with Forrest Galante,” “Shark Week” and “Pirate Gold of Adak Island”. In our chat, Ben shares all about growing up in Alaska, his path to filmmaking, and tales from shooting in extreme environments all over the world.
The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems.
Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE
Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats.
Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live
ZEISS Nano Primes
Introducing ZEISS Nano Primes - cinema lenses designed for modern full-frame mirrorless cameras - initially available with Sony E-mount. These lenses offer the highest performance and cinematic look in a small package.
With six focal lengths ranging from 18mm to 100mm, all featuring a consistent high speed of T1.5, the Nano Primes are the go-to choice for diverse cinematic needs. The lenses come with a small and robust real cine lens housing with professional ergonomics, and also have an interchangeable mount, facilitated by the trusted ZEISS IMS. And with a small and lightweight design, they're perfect for shooting on the go or in tight spaces. ZEISS Nano Primes are the go-to lenses for everyday: True Cinema. For All.
Learn more HERE
ASC Members Focus On Lighting At “The Art Of Cinematic Lighting” Event
The NY filmmaking community gathered at Foto Care Rentals in Manhattan on November 30th to hear ASC cinematographers dive deep into the art of cinematic lighting. The conversation was moderated by Dejan Georgevich ASC and featured Mauricio Rubinstein ASC and Vanja Cernjul ASC. The trio broke down scenes and described how they employed lighting techniques to achieve desired cinematic looks and feels. This edition of Foto Care’s Education & Networking Series was made possible by Nanlux and Nanlite with additional support by ShotDeck.
From our Friends at Broadfield...
The Atomos Ninja bundled with Atomos Connect combines the newest 5" monitor/recorder & playback device with the latest Atomos Cloud features enabled by Atomos Connect. The free 6-month subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio enables camera-to-cloud, remote collaboration and review, cloud editing, live production and streaming. This complete solution will even include an accessory kit with rechargeable batteries, fast-charger, screen protector, travel case and more!
Take a look HERE
Upcoming Event:
Cine Gear Expo NY | March 14-16, 2024
Mark your calendars for March and head on out to the thriving Industry City complex along the Brooklyn Upper Bay waterside. Cine Gear’s studio-style event is gathering steam as state-of–the-art technology brands are preparing to reveal their latest & greatest gear in the historic Paper Factory Hall. New this year is Photo Focus, a one-day educational event dedicated to the art and craft of Still Photography.
Get your Free Passes here
For this podcast episode, Special Thanks to Neil Matsumoto.
Podcast Rewind:
Jan. 2024 - Ep. 25...
The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.
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