April 19, 2010

R.I.P. Dede Allen

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Oscar nominated film editor Dede Allen died Saturday, April 17, at her home in Los Angeles, after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. She was 86.

In 1967, Allen became the first film editor to receive sole credit on a film -- in addition to garnering an Academy Award nomination -- for her work on the classic "Bonnie and Clyde." Long regarded as one of Hollywood's most creative film editors, the Ohio native also earned Oscar noms for her work on 1975's "Dog Day Afternoon," 1981's "Reds" and most recently, 2000's "Wonder Boys," which marked her return to editing following a nearly eight-year stint as head of post-production at Warner Bros.

Allen, whose last project was 2008's "Fireflies in the Garden," began her career at Columbia Pictures and was later mentored by director-producer-editor Robert Wise, who edited "Citizen Kane." She was renown for bringing groundbreaking stylistic elements to her work, including pioneering the use of audio overlays and using sound to help seamlessly segue scenes.

She is survived by husband Stephen E. Fleischman son Tom Fleischman; daughter Ramey Ward.

-Rest in peace...

5 comments:

  1. She was an excellent editor...sad news.

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  2. She also did a fine job on films like The Breakfast Club, The Final Cut, Slap Shot, and Serpico, among other works...

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  3. Very sad news, especially since "Bonnie and Clyde" is one of the most influential films ever as far as editing is concerned. In a way, she helped form the film Renaissance of the 1970s, in addition to giving more input throughout one of the best decades in film...

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  4. Indeed, when you talk about who the most influential editors are, she's one of the names you have to mention.

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  5. And agreed about Bonnie and Clyde...

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