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Monday, January 29, 2018

AWARDS SEASON 2018: THE 2018 ACE EDDIE AWARDS
Lee Smith And Tatiana Riegel Are Top Editing Winners
Lee Smith, Eddie-winning editor of "Dunkirk" projected on a large screen during his acceptance speech late Friday night at The ACE Eddie Awards.  Omar Moore
       
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        Follow popcornreel on Twitter FOLLOW                                           
Monday, January 29, 2018

BEVERLY HILLS, California
Late on Friday night Lee Smith received the biggest award (best edited feature film - dramatic) of the 2018 ACE Eddie Awards.  Mr. Smith casted a wide smile as he paid tribute to his team and the crew of "Dunkirk", the film he edited. 

Tatiana Riegel also scored an important win for her editing of "I, Tonya" as best edited feature film comedy.  Ms. Siegel was very appreciative of the award and the moment.  "It started with Steven's script (Steven Rogers) . . . . and the entire cast."  Effusive with praise she added, "I can't thank you enough, this is really, really an honor."  Ms. Siegel thanked her wife but unlike the many award recipients who spoke before, did not mention the hundreds of hours of investment she poured into her time on "I, Tonya".

Both Ms. Riegel and Mr. Smith were nominated for editing Oscars last week.

The 2018 ACE (American Cinema Editors) Eddie Awards was an atmosphere of genial, pleasant, relaxed nominees and attendees.  Host Tichina Arnold warmed the crowd with some barbed jokes and soon everyone in the room had let their hair down.  It was an upbeat mood that fit perfectly for an industry's much-welcomed escapism amidst the scrutiny Hollywood has received over the last five months for a culture of misogyny, violence and assault.   

Only Eddie Award winner Brett Morgen (winning co-editor on "Jane") spoke in his acceptance speech albeit it tangentially, about the powerful "Me Too" movement founded by Tarana Burke over eleven years ago.  "In light of recent events I'd like to say that it is equally important for little boys to see strong role models of women onscreen."  Mr. Morgen received hearty, enthusiastic applause from the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, scene of many awards ceremonies this film awards season.  

The Eddies had moving moments to savor, including Mark Goldblatt's heartfelt, touching acceptance speech for his Career Achievement Eddie Award.  Mr. Goldblatt (editor of "True Lies", the first two "Terminator" films and many other feature films) supplied an inspiring bit of advice.  "Be bold in your editing.  Be fierce and aggressive . . . don't be afraid to go where directors may not have ever gone." 

One of the other numerous memorable moments was Mariska Hargitay, who playfully called Career Achievement Award-winner Leon Ortiz-Gil, a "dream crusher".  Mr. Ortiz-Gil, one of the legendary editors for television and movies (including TV's "Law And Order", among many) spoke with tears in his eyes, pausing on numerous occasions.  He cited the minority scholarship program for helping launch his foray into feature film editing.  Mr. Ortiz-Gil and many recipients' speeches were the hallmark of sincerity that reverberated around the room.


Tatiana Riegel on the red carpte Friday night for the ACE Eddie Awards.  She later
won best edited feature film comedy ("I, Tonya").  Omar Moore

Presenters did not take themselves too seriously on the night and smiles spoke louder than some of the humor did.  The robust, upbeat mood was a refreshing departure from the more buttoned-down and tense affair that will no doubt permeate the Dolby Theater at the Oscars in March.  On this night however, you could see Oscar nominees like Christopher Nolan casually and quietly observing the proceedings from the back of the room, a lone figure in thought.  Mr. Morgen had his Eddie Award, quite a tall statuette, in tow as he walked with purpose.  Ms. Riegel, prior to her win, talked with numerous individuals throughout the room.  All were happy, and late on Friday, happy to celebrate a craft that remains indispensible.

Related: The full list of winners at the 2018 ACE Eddie Awards
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