Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542348
20 B O B B I B A N K S F E L L O W S H I P A N D S E R V I C E A W A R D BRUCE CANNON F I L M E D I T O R It is my great honor to celebrate Bobbi Banks, a truly deserving recipient of the prestigious Fellowship and Service Award. For over two decades, starting with Poetic Justice in 1992, I had the privilege of working alongside Bobbi in the "film family" created by John Singleton. Those years are filled with memories of joy, laughter, creativity, and a profound respect for Bobbi's unwavering dedication to her craft and her remarkable spirit. No matter how demanding the work, we always found time for fun and laughter, forging a bond that grew as we watched our children become adults, ourselves become grandparents, and Bobbi even a great- grandparent. To me, Bobbi is family. Bobbi's career is a testament to her resilience and talent in a male-dominated, historically exclusionary industry. I vividly recall watching Bobbi on the ADR stage, where her kindness, her amazing 'ear to hear', and sensitivity coaxed performances from actors that often surpassed the originals, elevating every project. She has thrived as an ADR Supervisor and Supervising Sound Editor on over 140 projects! Her commitment extends beyond her craft to her service on committees for AMPAS, MPSE (former president), ACE, and the Editors Guild. Through these organizations, Bobbi has tirelessly championed young filmmakers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, helping to open doors that were once closed. Her mentorship is paving the way for a more diverse and vibrant film industry, ensuring a richer future for storytelling. Bobbi, your legacy runs deep, and I know you have many more achievements ahead of you. Here's to continued brilliance—onward and upward! CASSANDRA BUTCHER P U B L I C I S T The late John Singleton first introduced me to Brian De Palma's Blow Out as a way of teaching us about sound design, and soon after, he introduced me to Bobbi Banks. That moment forever changed how I understood storytelling. Sound design is the invisible architecture of film, it sets stories apart by giving them layers, rhythm, and space to breathe. You don't have to see the helicopters in Boyz N the Hood or Poetic Justice to feel their weight; you don't need to see the mob in Rosewood to hear the crackle of fire before destruction; you can feel the roar of the engines in 2 Fast 2 Furious. That's Bobbi's artistry at work—immersive, emotional, and unforgettable. Watching Bobbi move with such ease, grace, and professionalism, always in tune with both story and life has been a gift. She is a gem to the filmmakers she serves, and in turn, to audiences everywhere. Congratulations to Bobbi on this incredible honor, and thank you for sharing your love and mastery of sound with all of us. GALE ANNE HURD F I L M P R O D U C E R Dearest Bobbi, Over the many years we've known each other, as professionals as well as friends, I have always held you in the highest possible regard. Not only are your skills as a sound, dialog and ADR editor remarkable, but your talented leadership is truly peerless. Guided by your clear vision and strong ethical compass, every organization to which you've lent your time has benefited from your guidance and dedication. It's rare to come across someone like you, not only in the film industry, but in life. I am truly blessed, as are the thousands of your peers, who have elected you to lead them time and time again. Congratulations and my warmest wishes, Gale Banks Notes