Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/681807
33 Q2 2016 / CINEMONTAGE no time, and we're always under pressure to deliver. The saddest thing is that when I retire, the knowledge I've acquired will never be passed on because there's no mentoring program." THE FUTURE OF MENTORING Everyone interviewed agrees that mentoring is too important a part of post-production to ignore. Editors who have been practicing the craft for decades pinpoint the decline to the demise of the apprentice position. "We have to think about ways to make learning about the editorial process more accessible to those who want to do it," maintains Littleton. Davis notes that the end of apprentices came about because "producers wouldn't pay for it." Peirson adds that the limits placed on what apprentices could do also helped bring an end to the position. "They were out of the process, but they need to be part of the process," he says. "To truly learn the job, you have to do the job." "I think it's simple," says Trulli. "As an assistant, Darren should feel comfortable saying, 'Hey, if anyone has anything I can help with, I'll give it my best shot if you can shepherd me through.' That's the first step — make it a priority so that the union is fine with the assistant and editor working together." Churgin agrees. "Mentoring is a mindset," she says. "You have to want to pass along your knowledge. Mentoring is about not having fear about progress and change, and sharing your ideas." f Darren Hallihan and Lisa Trulli. Photo by Martin Cohen