Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1014407
34 CINEMONTAGE / Q3 2018 all of these things, David was very organized, had a lot of ideas and was one of the best visual effects people I have seen. The promotion was due to all his work on the first pass of the Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot. It was so good. CM: David, what was the process on the other two Van Sant films on which you assisted? David Marks: On those movies, I was able to work under two of the best editors out there: Pietro Scalia and Billy Rich. I was assisting, but they were both so generous about keeping the crew involved and discussing the picture as it evolved that I was always learning creatively as well. I was obviously a huge fan of Gus, but really only worked with him in a technical capacity. On the new film, Gus was initially looking for an assistant, but the situation called for more of a cutting role than usual — and I'm very fortunate that he trusted me to help take it on. CM: Do you go back and forth on edits at all? GVS: Yes. I was usually reorganizing the movie, taking sections and inter- cutting the sections in a different way. And then David was making sure everything was smooth. That was the back and forth. At the end, David was tightening up the whole movie. It's really valuable to have that other person in the edit room. DM: We would also divvy up notes between us, which helped things move quickly. CM: David, you've been bumped from assistant to editor on this film, your first union feature, and you're an additional editor on Beautiful Boy, coming out this fall. What are the challenges in stepping up from the assistant position? DM: It seems to have the same challenges as advancing in other fields: reaching out to people, building new contacts, earning their trust that you can take on the responsibility, and being willing to risk turning down work in the old position. And, of course, accepting that timing and luck play a big part as well. CM: Gus, do you consider yourself David's mentor? GVS: I'm not sure it has grown into that kind of relationship. I think I learn more from David than he does from me! CM: What NLE did you two use on Don't Worry? Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot. Amazon Studios "David Marks was very organized, had a lot of ideas and was one of the best visual effects people I have seen. The promotion was due to his work on the first pass of the film. It was so good." - Gus Van Sant