Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525212
61 F A L L Q 3 I S S U E DISTRICT 2 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 NYGARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44 the most unabashedly single person I had ever met. Calling himself "the Indiana Jones of the golden booty," he said, "We're not designed to be with the same person for six years. If you turn on the Discovery Channel, you'll see female spiders trying to kill the males if they stick around too long." He struck me as a prime documentary subject. After interviewing him about his relation- ship doctrines, I put the footage aside as I tried to figure out the rest of the film. Seven years later, this man, who had been living the epitome of bachelorhood, was married and had a daughter, so I interviewed him again. I also did a follow-up years later with a polyamorous couple and with a Hollywood screenwriter and his foreign bride from the Czech Republic. This gave my film part of the missing ending it needed. Editing is refining raw ore to a pure form. The editing process begins during writing, is a concern during shooting, and continues in earnest once you arrive in the editing suite. Your project is your baby, and you want to get it to the editing room where you can make it beautiful. Nobody likes ugly babies, except their parents, and you want to sell more than two tickets. To a large ex- tent, editing is about being methodological and organized in the face of mountains of footage. If you are good at organizing your garage, you might just have what it takes to be a good documentary editor. ■ This article is adapted from the book "The Documentarian: The Way to a Successful and Creative Professional Life in the Documentary Business," by Roger Nygard, to be published in September 2024 by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Nygard has been a member of the Editors Guild since 2000. elections and we need to play a role in advocating that our members vote," he said. Another resolution — to recommit to the critical importance of safety on the job — passed unanimously, and it was moved that a moment of silence be held as the convention adjourned in the name and memory of J.C. "Spike" Osorio, a lighting technician and member of Local 728 who last February fell to his death from the soundstage catwalk while working on the Marvel miniseries "Wonder Man." ENGAGING OTHER LOCAL MEMBERS The main convention on Saturday had a mid-day recess where delegates broke out into pre-assigned committees which in- cluded discussions on activism, legislation, diversity, workplace safety and education. At a lunch hosted by the IATSE Political Action Committee (PAC), delegates donated more that $7100. On Friday night, the annual social of the IATSE Women's Committee was held. On Sunday, there was an educational talk by Tyler McIntosh, the IATSE political/ legislative director, who shared tools and strategies for how each local can set up vot- er registration drives to get out the vote this November. He thanked Local 700 for sub- mitting its resolution and urged delegates to put it into action back in their locals. (Members can read more about the IATSE PAC at iatse.net/political-legislative/) Th e re wa s a d e l e ga te re ce p t i o n o n Saturday night hosted by the Stagehands Union, IA Local 363 in Reno. The Editors Guild along with several of the Los Ange- les-based locals helped sponsor the event featuring locally brewed craft beer. It was a chance for delegates to socialize after a long day of sessions. "I admit that I was a little nervous being a first-time delegate," said Justin Bourret, a picture editor who served on the District 2 education committee. "Seeing the passion from the delegates in all the locals gave me such faith in our union. I can honestly say that everyone present had the best interests of the membership we were repre- senting. All of us were proud talking about the educational resources we have for our members." Isabel Yanes, an assistant editor who serves on the Young Workers Committee and volunteers as a shop steward for her post-production job, said she ran to be a del- egate because "I was interested in learning more about our place within [the] IATSE." "These conventions focus on inter-local and inter-generational connections, which I have found to be extremely helpful for learning how to foster the cultural and contractual change our members need," said Yanes. "In the resolutions committee, it was great to see the participation and cama- raderie from everyone," said sound editor and first-time delegate Bobbi Banks. "The delegates from Arizona put forth a request, and as it got acknowledged and accepted, I was crying along with them as they were so very passionate, and it really struck me. I could feel how important it was to them." "I was proud to be a delegate represent- ing Local 700, especially with our resolution to 'Get Out the Vote,'" said assistant editor Emma DuPell. "I've definitely gotten more comfortable meeting other IATSE local members. On the flight to Lake Tahoe, I sat next to a woman from Local 44, property masters, where I learned how their union is currently organizing their offices so that members will have an easier time accessing their local's meeting minutes and their union's history. It's inspired me to come up with ideas for how we can make our own history more accessible for our members." "It was an honor to get to know my fellow delegates," Bourret said. "Not only is [the] IATSE filled with talented artists, but they are wonderful human beings, as well. The convention was an eye-opening experience. I have wanted to give back to the union, and this was a great venue to do so. I will definitely run again to be a delegate for future conventions." ■