Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/990701
72 CINEMONTAGE / Q2 2018 men and very few African-American editors. In fact, at the time, there were only two African-American editors that I knew of working in television. In terms of crews, I've always tried to keep it diverse. In the past seven years or so, the crews of which I've been a part have been — well, I won't say "pretty" diverse because I don't have the numbers — but there has been diversity in that there have been female editors, female assistant editors, African-American editors and assistant editors, and an Asian assistant. CM: You are involved with the Editors Guild's and ACE's Diversity Committees. Can you talk about that? JG: At the Editors Guild, we had our first meeting of the year of the African-American Steering Committee in February. The Diversity Committee is broken down into subcommittees, including Pan-Asian, African-American, Latin, LGBT, etc. And those subcommittees each do their own programs and fun activities, to which members are invited in order to mingle and talk about various issues. Basically, it's to make people aware of 13 Questions Why CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53 diversity concerns. I'm new to the Guild's committee, so I haven't seen all the ins and outs of it. As for ACE [American Cinema Editors], as a Diversity Committee member, I've been working with the organization's mentor program for going on the second year. It's all about trying to increase awareness and let people know that when they come up against various obstacles in this business, there are quite a few people who have probably been through a similar situation and know a little something about it, so they can help others through it. We meet at various times and talk about whatever issues are relevant: getting started in the business, working in the business, issues that arise, etc. It's really what the mentees make of it. CM: Is there any advice you'd like to leave the readers? JG: This business is tough, and I think it's important to help others whenever you can. Also, be good at your craft. If you're good at your craft, hopefully that'll take care of everything else. f