David and Edie Ichioka, Makers of Murch
Meta-art and meta-theory (besides having awesomely pretentious names) are so hot. Even meta-blogging (blogging about blogging?!) seems to be the thing to do. Anyone who has ever written anything knows that good editing can make or break you (shout out to the rocking SFist editors who’ve saved us numerous times). David and Edie Ichioka have taken on a tough topic… making a documentary about a film editor. That’s right; they’ve engaged Walter Murch (film editing guru) in a project in which they have to edit a film about him editing filming. Told you Meta was so hot. David and Edie are Bay Area filmmakers, and they’ve got a lot of interesting insight into our beloved environs. Their documentary “Murch” is currently screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival. You can check it out Saturday May 5th at 3:30 at the Pacific Film Archive.
What was the most surprising thing to you about Walter Murch
Walter is a true renaissance man. His areas of expertise are varied and surprising. Not only is he an Oscar winning editor and sound designer, he is a translator of Italian poetry, a film director, an author, and a beekeeper. He has presented his new findings on an astronomical theory (that had previously fallen from favor) to prestigious scientific groups. He also knows how to hypnotize chickens.
What's your favorite movie edited by him?
The Conversation
Do you think the general populace notices film editing?
They notice the result of it just as one's attention is drawn to a beautiful woman. You don't say to yourself, "nice makeup and foundation garment".
What should they be noticing?
They should notice whether a film works on an emotional level or not. The rest should be undefinable.
What's the best (edited) scene in film?
The opening chicken chase scene in City of God is hard to beat.
Who edited this film about a film editor?
Edie Ichioka
Was that a lot of pressure for you?
Because I was editing a project in which a master editor discusses editing, the instructions were as good as printed on the box. I approached it as I do any job where the material leads you in several directions and you have to select the path that feels true to the story.
Did he look at it at all?
Our film has an aggressive editing style. We sent Walter Murch a DVD and waited and waited and decided that he must have hated it. Before we leapt off the Golden Gate Bridge, I shot him an email. It turned out that he was in the middle of a project and hadn't gotten a chance to take a look. We were relieved when we heard that he liked it.
How has digital film changed the role of editors?
Digital non-linear editing has changed the craft by allowing multiple versions of a picture to co-exist without the financial impact of film workprint duplication. This allows for a freedom of experimentation. The role of assistant and apprentice editors has changed much more than that of editors. When I started working in cutting rooms, I had to get physical pieces of film to the editor to tape together. Because the computer now handles the task of retrieval, there is less necessity for intellectual eavesdropping as an assistant watches what their boss is doing and anticipates the next request. Now the assistant is down the hallway and can even take off early without the editor being stranded without the proper material.
Where's your favorite place to watch movies?
Theatres that have staff who care about cinema. You wouldn't believe the number of times that we alert theater managers about poor projection, speakers and bad prints only to return and find that they haven't addressed the problem.
Name
David and Edie Ichioka
Introduce yourself in one sentence
Bay Area Filmmakers
Home Town
Berkeley (Edie), L.A. (David)
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where?
Edie: for entire meaningful life. Berkeley, SF (upper Richmond), Corte Madera (Marin)
David: for the last 20 years, Kentfield, SF (Potrero Hill, upper Richmond), Corte Madera (Marin)
Favorite place to spend time online
www.bunrab.com
Favorite local business
The Fatted Calf
Hangar One
Acme Bread
Cheeseboard
What I'm currently Reading
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and People magazine
Best Deal in San Francisco
Most food in the Tenderloin
Favorite mode of transportation
GG Ferry
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Keni El Lebrijano Parker
Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Marin and hot tubs. No, we do not have a hot tub and are not planning on getting one. Also, none of our neighbors have them.
Favorite local hangout
Saturday San Francisco Ferry Building Farmers' Market
SF has the BEST
Wining and dining
You've never lived in SF until
You've lived in SF
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Willie Brown for the style factor
Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Someone who isn't married to a member of his staff
You can tell someone is a local here IF
They never wear shorts
SF would be soooo much better if only
No private autos were allowed in the City
Best Restaurant
French Laundry
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
Dirty Harry
Place you always tell visitors to check out
Ferry Building
Favorite Bridge in the area
Golden Gate
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Go to MOMA on the first Tuesday of the month (the free admission day) and then go to Hog Island at the Ferry Building during "happy hour" for buck a shuck oysters and a beer.
Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
Why did you make this film?