Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1014407
73 Q3 2018 / CINEMONTAGE PASSAGES FREDERICK O. STAFFORD SOUND EDITOR DECEMBER 5, 1943 – DECEMBER 23, 2017 Frederick Stafford, one of Hollywood's best-known ADR editors, died peacefully at his Santa Paula, California home on December 23, 2017. Rita, his loving wife of 32 years, was by his side. Intellectually curious, with scholarly interests in history, literature, architecture, politics and music, Fred could elevate any conversation on nearly any topic with wonderful stories and insights. His charm, generosity and sense of humor attracted people to him, and his gift for making those in his presence feel like they were singularly important and loved was central to who he was. Born Frederick Orman Stafford in New York, December 5, 1943, he grew up in Manhattan's Washington Heights, where he developed a passion for photography and in 1964 went to work for a fine arts archivist. In 1967, he left New York for LA and began working in the entertainment industry. Starting "on the bike" delivering mail at Paramount Studios, he quickly moved into sound editorial, with early credits on the Mission: Impossible (1966-1973) and Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983) series, and on features including Chinatown (1974) and Marathon Man (1976). He developed a specialty in ADR, becoming known for his mastery of technique, which he supplemented with wonderful sensitivity to actors and story. The subsequent decades of his career were spent working in features, and his credits range through all genres. They include 1941 (1979), Altered States (1980), Risky Business (1983), Witness (1985), Batman and Robin (1997), Ghost Rider (2007) and many more. He worked on projects with great directors, such as Steven Spielberg, Peter Weir and Clint Eastwood. Fred's long and varied career included a period of picture editing in the 1980s for films like Conan the Barbarian (1982), and the cult classic Night of the Comet (1984). He also worked uncredited on Ridley Scott's famous 1984 commercial for Apple's Macintosh Computer. In 2010, Fred and Rita moved to Santa Paula, California. In 2014 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent radiation therapy, which caused complications culminating in bladder cancer and kidney failure, leading to his death. He is survived by his wife, Rita, his daughter from a previous marriage, Justine, and her husband Richard, as well as five grandchildren: Oliver, Isabelle, Lily, Genevieve and Alana. He was predeceased by his brother, Norman Stafford, and his beloved son, Ian Nolan, who died tragically in 1989 at age 22. Rita Stafford he had a daughter, Vanessa. After they divorced, Jordan married Maria Remiro Brotons. Maria predeceased Jordan in 2009. Upon her death, Jordan retired to live with Maria's family in Elche, Spain. He is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Pointner, and two grandchildren in Germany, and his brother, Keith, in Boise, Idaho. William Park PAULA GREATBATCH SUHY ASSISTANT EDITOR MAY 25, 1958 – MAY 29, 2018 It is with extreme sadness that I report the news that our dear friend and colleague, Paula Greatbatch Suhy, has left us. She passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 — four days after her 60th birthday. As many of her close friends know, she was battling a very aggressive form of brain cancer for two and a half years. Amazingly, for most of that time, she was able to kick its ass. At the beginning of this year, she opted for a more aggressive treatment, which in the end led to complications. Paula was small but mighty. What an incredibly strong person! She gave it her best fight. Paula loved her work in film editing. I strongly believe that she was able to grace us with her presence as long as she did — in part because of this love. Paula was able to push on because of two beautiful 2017 films on which she worked: Dunkirk and Phantom Thread. Even when she was feeling lousy, she would come to the cutting room and have the time of her life. I feel extremely privileged that I got to work with Paula as a fellow assistant editor, especially the last couple years. To be able to witness how good her work made her feel was immeasurably satisfying. Her other credits include The Hateful Eight (2015), Interstellar (2014), The Master (2012), Inception (2010) and There Will Be Blood (2007). Paula was one of the coolest, kindest, most generous people I have ever known, and she and her husband Jim were two of my best friends. I'm going to miss having coffee with Paula, as well as her stories, the bitching sessions, the "panda cam" and all the great laughs. Every time I stand at my bench I will think of her. Goodbye, dear friend. William Fletcher