Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1316380
M OT I O N P I CTU R E S O U N D E D I TO R S I 17 beautifully! I served the end of his term out as president and then I ran the following term. I had served on the Board of Directors for many years and I wanted to guide MPSE in implementing strategies for their mission in raising the stature and awareness of the sound community ML: How was it being a woman in the industry? BB: Being a woman in the industry can be challenging and being a Black woman is even more challenging! When you are working on a crew, it's almost a given that you will be the only woman. However, in the past few years, there has been an increase in women sound editors, film editors, directors, and producers so that void is now closing. I've had to deal with blatant and subtle racism, and even though I have had the opportunity to work on varying types of films with varying cast types such as August Osage County (Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts) to Straight Outta Compton (NWA), people think that I can really only work on "urban" films. I have definitely had some disappointments; however, I have wonderfully rewarding moments and that is what I focus on and I press forward! ML: Tell me about the challenges the MPSE had then. BB: One of the challenges at that time is what MPSE could do for their members, how to get them more involved and to let them know they were appreciated. The Golden Reel Awards is when all talent is celebrated and it's a HUGE shindig! Scott Haller had an idea to have a 'sound show' that would feature the supervising sound editor and crew for a particular film. They would take clips from a project and show how it sounded with the production to the various stages of sound being added to the final mix! The membership and public were very interested in them and they grew. We expanded the sound shows inviting the SSE, film editor, director, music editor, and composer to participate on the panels and it blossomed even more! The scope of the sound show grew as MPSE 'sound shows' were invited to Germany, New York, and NAB! We enhanced the look of the Golden Reel Awards Show, started the Annual MPSE Golf Tournament, began working with students at Inner-City Filmmakers and giving a scholarship, began using social media (Twitter) during Golden Reel Awards so that people in other countries would be able to be involved. Michael Coleman began to cover the winners of the GRAs and did interviews that evening and MPSE began to partner with other organizations for various events. ML: Your opinion of the MPSE's path since your presidency. BB: It continues to grow and cultivate innovative ideas to connect the sound community! As other organizations are now doing panels, MPSE now also has begun the Sound Advice Events, which continue to keep us up to date on all the latest gear and tutorials! MPSE and Tom McCarthy instigated the formation of EIPMA (Entertainment Industry Professionals Mentoring Alliance), now their first quarterly newsletter!!! ML: What do you think the future of the MPSE should be? BB: Continue to be the visionaries you are and collaborate with other organizations establishing broader influence that builds and promotes the sound community.