Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1359892
52 C I N E M O N T A G E J U M P S 'Edwards' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 course, the pandemic has altered that type of activity, but I look forward to visiting some of the places I have on my bucket list once it's safe to do so. Q Favorite movie(s)? Why? "Love and Basketball" (2000). I know the dialogue word for word all the way through, even if I watch it muted (haha)! I related to the coming of age story so much, and it's ironic that my career path would eventually lead me to call its edi- tor, Terilyn Shropshire, ACE, a friend and mentor. I was 11 years old when I first saw the movie in a theater with my Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team. The main character, Monica, inspired me and my friends at the time, and we were determined to have experiences like she had. Q Favorite TV program(s)? Why? That's a tough question since I have so many faves. I'll list a few that I've really enjoyed recently. HBO's "Love- craft Country" and "Watchmen" are definitely on the list for their amazing black leading characters. I was engrossed the entire time while watching, and the supernatural elements and effects were spectacular. I also really like the British series "A Discovery of Witches," currently on Sundance TV (formerly the Sundance Channel) in the US. I enjoy its take as a fantasy series and its interpreta- tion of vampires, daemons and witches. It's also quite the love story and has got me interested in reading the source novel for the show, which is the first book in the "All Souls" trilogy. I also enjoy the STARZ series "Outlander," which is another love story involving time travel and magical folklore. Q Do you have an industry mentor? M e n t o r s ! Ve r y m u c h s o ! Te r i l y n Shropshire, ACE, Shannon Baker Davis, ACE, Joi McMillon, ACE, Brett Hedlund, James Wilcox, ACE, Mary DeChambres, ACE, and many more. Q What advice would you offer to someone interested in pursuing your line of work? There are a million pathways to your end goal. Your path will be unlike any others because it is yours, with all its uniqueness. Don't compare your journey to someone else's in a way that deters 'Space' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 the writing staff was the pinnacle of my Hollywood career. But that wasn't what I wanted to do. If I had my way I'd be a screenwriter but, even back in college, I realized that I was better at editing and analyzing other writers' material. So while it took me a few years to find my way in this industry, I eventually found something I was not only good at, but that I really enjoyed do- ing: story analysis. It didn't come about quite by accident, there was some luck and good fortune involved… and I have to admit that I exaggerated my resume you. Be encouraged that the journey is all a part of the experience. Visual effects is definitely an onion of a world, so have an open mind as you experience all the layers. Q Was there ever a circumstance when you had to rely on the Guild for help or assistance? Yes, there have been many times when I turned to one of the Guild field reps, Jes- sica Pratt, for assistance and guidance when working with the larger studios. She has been an incredible help, and I am so happy that she is a resource for Guild members. Q Is there anything you'd like to say to your fellow Guild members, some words of encouragement? As a Guild member who is a black woman, I encourage my fellow members to look at how they can play a part in continuing the initiatives to create a diverse and inclusive editorial environ- ment. Mentorship is key for allowing underrepresented groups a chance to flourish in editorial. So if you have the time, consider mentoring someone from these groups. Our industry is all the better for it. ■ quite a bit to land my first fulltime job at TriStar Pictures. That was nearly 30 years ago, when I started working as a freelance Story Analyst. I knew there was a union, but it was off-my-radar and, to be honest, I liked most of those I worked with and felt I was treated well. Except for the low pay, lack of benefits and little job security. A determined story editor eventually brought me over to Universal Pictures a n d i n to t h e u n i o n . S i n ce t h e n , I ' ve worked behind the scenes on hundreds of movies (some of which have actually been made), including all nine "Fast & Furious" films. My early love of comic books, science fiction, and pulp heroes has served me well over the years as my job often involves reading comics and sci-fi screenplays, playing the occasional video game and helping to develop Uni- versal's classic movie monsters for a new generation. Ray Kolasa has spent most of his career as a Story Analyst with Universal Pictures, often working on the kinds of movies that would have delighted him as a kid. He currently has two daughters in college with filmmaking ambitions that he's trying hard not to quash. He can be reached at ray.kolasa@gmail.com. ■