Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/462877
60 CINEMONTAGE / WINTER 2015 PASSAGES RANDY ROBERTS, ACE FILM EDITOR SEPTEMBER 12, 1945 – DECEMBER 15, 2014 The editing community recently lost one of its great mentors, supporters and friends: award-winning editor and past president of the American Cinema Editors Randy Roberts, ACE, who passed away December 15 at the age of 69, following a brave battle with stomach cancer. Even while he was ill, he never lost his smile, his wit, his can-do attitude or his infectious laugh; he lit up a room wherever he went. "He was funny, caring, a joy to his family, a proud father and grandfather, an editor, a producer, a director, a great talent, a mentor to many, an inspiration, a leader and a friend," said ACE Vice President Stephen Rivkin. "He will be truly missed." And he never ceased his effort to forward ACE and the editing community. Said ACE President Alan Heim, "Randy Roberts, apart from being past president and longtime board member of the American Cinema Editors, was an untiring volunteer wherever and whenever he could help the organization." Randy served on ACE's board of directors for nearly two decades, holding the offices of vice president from 2005 to 2008 and president from 2008 to 2012. A year ago, he received ACE's Heritage Award for his lifetime continuing commitment to ACE. "Randy's dedication made the Eddie Awards dinner into what has become the most sparkling one of the year — fast paced and entertaining, perfect for editors," continued Heim. He was also a great mentor for younger editors, passing forward what and how he had learned." Passing it forward is a huge part of Randy's inspiring legacy. He was one of the originators of the successful EditFest series, which has now educated thousands of students and veteran editors alike with events in Los Angeles, London and New York, while attracting attendees from as far as Brazil and Russia. As the organization's director of marketing, a role he took on while he was ill, Randy was also a driving force in making ACE and the art of editing a vital part of the NAB Show, teaching many more about what happens in the cutting room. He also inspired countless professionals on the international front, sharing knowledge at events such as Frankfurt's eDIT Filmmakers Festival. All of this underscored Randy's love of mentoring, which he emphasized when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hollywood Post Alliance Awards last November. With his customary warmth and humor, he delivered one of the most memorable lines of the evening when, accepting the award, he said, "My biggest thrill out of working in post-production is the chance to mentor so many people. I think that's the important thing about a career. You can be the best editor in the world, but if everybody thinks you're an asshole, it doesn't mean too much." Randy was the lauded editor of long-running series including Chicago Hope, L.A. Law and Early Edition. For Chicago Hope, he won an ACE Eddie Award, as well as an Emmy Award nomination and second Eddie nomination. He earned two additional Eddie nominations, for L.A. Law and Early Edition. At Wolf Films, he contributed to the phenomenal success of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 2001 to 2011, starting as a co-producer and becoming supervising producer in 2003. He fondly remembered working with the editors on that series, including Friday margarita nights, as well as collaboration in the cutting room. "I felt half of my job was to be a cheerleader," he once said. "I tried to protect the editors. I was one of them, and I knew the ups and downs." He was also there to offer suggestions when they were looking for another eye. But he emphasized that in editing, there's no right or wrong. "My approach is to say 'Let's try...' or 'How about?' It makes the editor feel safe." Randy was born and raised in the Los Angeles production community. His father was head of casting at Warner Bros., and his mother was an extra at the studio. "I got to sit on the set and look behind the camera," he remembered, saying that was when he found his love of the business. His career started as a child actor at age 10, appearing in commercials for Kellogg's Special K, Chevy and Tide; he even did a screen test for the debut commercial for Crest toothpaste. He also appeared in an episode of Warner Bros. Presents entitled "Siege" (1956) and was an extra in The Parent Trap (1961). While Randy attended Los Angeles Valley College at the insistence of his father, he admits he hardly went to class. His uncle, Sam O'Steen, ACE, was a film editor and Randy gravitated to the cutting room. He started in the mailroom at Warner Bros. and then the time office, punching cards for grips and projectionists. Then he'd go to film editing and work for free until 7:00 p.m. "When a job opened up, they hired me," Randy recalled. "That's how you got the job." Next, he landed an apprenticeship through the union, delivering dailies and cleaning prints, but the big break came when Gene Milford (On the Waterfront) hired him as an assistant. His first feature credit as an editor was Greased Lightning (1977), which he co-edited with Bob Wyman and Christopher Holmes; that was followed by Straight Time (1978), which he co-edited with his uncle. Randy's career took another turn when he was asked be the head editor of Alfred Hitchcock Presents "because they wanted it to look like movies." He also wound up directing 12 episodes of the series. Roberts went on to direct episodes of Tour of Duty, Miami Vice, L.A. Law and Early Edition but admitted he "loved editing, and loved directing when you are also editing the show." Additional editing credits include One from the Heart for Francis Ford