Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/832212
73 Q2 2017 / CINEMONTAGE 73 Q2 2017 / CINEMONTAGE observant. And she could condense a huge experience into just six words. I'll never forget it. Maureen Muldaur Friend/Colleague; Producer, Director n M y first meeting 20 years ago with Lillian Benson was almost exactly like our most recent one: We had a wonderful exchange of ideas, stories and experiences. When we get to talking, we often find ourselves the last to leave an event. It's been my honor, since the very first meeting, to spend time with her. Lillian is an accomplished filmmaker, editor, teacher, confidant and, most of all, friend. She is constantly opening my eyes to experiences beyond myself and they're far too many to list. She never forgets to think of her friends and consider our feelings; and I'm always impressed and inspired by her talent and humility. It's safe to say that many others feel the same. I knew instantly when I met Lillian that she was a kindred spirit. Thank you so much to the Editors Guild for bestowing upon Lillian this much- deserved honor. Jenni McCormick Friend/Colleague; Executive Director, American Cinema Editors n I had the privilege of working with Lillian when she was an editor on my feature documentary, One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story. She worked incredibly hard shaping the story and infusing emotion into the film. We only had one main problem: Lillian hated my main character. We had many intense discussions about this, which usually ended in laughter and a revised scene. That's one of the things I admire about her — how she expresses her opinions in a frank yet collaborative way. This open communication enabled us to constantly move forward with the cut, improve the story and hit all of our deadlines. Several years later I was delighted when Lillian began teaching editing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where I have been teaching editing and documentary filmmaking since 2004. Her lucky students have benefited by being exposed to her passionate teaching style and wealth of knowledge on editing. She is a true master at work. I want to congratulate Lillian on receiving the Guild's Fellowship and Service Award. It couldn't go to a more deserving person! Thomas G. Miller, ACE Colleague; Editor, Producer, Director, Associate Professor, Cinema Practice, USC School of Cinematic Arts n L illian is that rare combination in this business: an extremely talented filmmaker, a great collaborator and a truly nice and caring person. She never fails to take time out of her hectic schedule to be supportive of other filmmakers' efforts. That is something that sometimes can make such a difference. It is my pleasure to have Lillian as a colleague and a friend. Stanley Nelson Friend/Colleague; Producer, Director, Writer n L illian Benson being celebrated by the Editors Guild? What a great honor for her. We go back a long way, when we were both assistant editors working in the same building on 45th Street off Sixth Avenue in New York. We were working for different editors: my mentor, Victor Kanefsky, for me, and Riva Freifeld for her. It was around 1973 or 1974, and I was surprised to see another person of color working in editing. At that time, I had not met African- American feature editor, and later director, George Bowers and others. From our first meeting, we became not only colleagues but friends, and from that point on we would run into each other in other editing facilities as we both fought and clawed our way up the chain to become editors. We did eventually end up working next to each other when we were both hired to work on Eyes on the Prize II. Lillian is one of those editors and human beings who have a tremendous amount of integrity and will not do anything that would impinge on that. Honest, forthright and dedicated to the craft of editing, she has always had my undying respect. So it gives me great pleasure to see Lillian being honored for all her years of service to the editing community. I am very proud of her. Sam Pollard Friend/Colleague; Editor, Producer "I'm so proud and profoundly fortunate to have had Lillian's mentorship early in my career; her influence on me and other women in film had an enormous impact, still felt to this day." – Valerie Linson