> Editors' Cut: Egoli Editing Team

Representing the field of South African Soap Opera, The Egoli Editing Team joins our panel of professional editors. Follow their progress as they work to complete their five-minute edit of the 'Editing Fashion' footage.

Email #1
Added Apr.25

>
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura Bradley
To: Marge
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 4:41 PM
Subject: 'Editing Fashion' update
 
Hi Laura,
 
I got everyone together - Ilse Spies, Natasha Ellis and Mada Uys - at lunch time 
and we have answered    your interview questions.  We have digitised the 
material into one of our editing suites, and as time allows, they are working on 
the project.  It is very much a team effort with Ilse playing the leading role.
 
Regards,
 
Marge
 
 

EDITING FASHION INTERVIEW

1.Can you say something about your background 
We have approached the project as the Egoli editing department and all have 
different backgrounds and experience.  Ilse has been with Egoli for 10 years 
and prior to that had extensive experience editing drama and doccies for the 
South African Boadcasting corporation. South Africa was one of the last 
countries to get television.  Television broadcasting only started here in 1976.  
(By the way, we have one of the earliest film industries in the world.  
We have films made during the Anglo Boer War in 1900.)  Natasha, after leaving 
film school, joined Egoli and has been with us for 8 years.  Magda, after 
completing her Masters in Development and Management and lecturing Television 
at Potch University, joined Egoli 3 years ago. 

2.Which field would you say you represent?
Drama

3.How do commissions normally come to you?
This doesn't apply to us.
 
4.Would you say you have a standard process for starting an edit?
Our process for starting is relatively standard in that we look at the material,
do a first cut and then move quickly on to a fine cut.  We edit 25 minutes a 
day so the pace is steady and relentless.  Many of our episodes are shot 
single camera, film style.
 
5.Have you ever had to edit the same footage as someone else?
We have all had different experience, but mostly one doesn't get the chance 
to edit the same footage as other editors - that is what makes "Editing Fashion" 
such an interesting exercise.
 
6.What kind of issues does the concept of 'Editing Fashion', where a range of 
people tackle the same material throw up?
Because we are approaching it from a soap opera point of view, we are not 
necessarily using the most visual material, because we have decided to limit 
ourselves to telling a story and using the  dialogue sequences.
 
7.How will you begin viewing the rushes? Do you start recording time codes straight 
off or do you watch and then start editing?
Because our time is very limited, we have selected the material that appeals 
to us as we view and then started editing immediately.
 
8.Do you use a storyboard?
No.
 
9.What software do you work on?
Avid.

10.Have you had any initial thoughts on the Galliano footage so far?
The footage is visually exciting and very different from 
the material we are used to.

11.Do you find yourself working differently when working with fashion material?
 Yes.  We are used to telling stories with dialogue and picture.  
This material is totally visual.

12.To what extent do you find yourself employing a 'soap opera' approach?
The 'soap opera' approach probably comes out in the material we select 
and the story we tell.
		

Egoli Editing Team

Egoli Editing Team
‘Egoli- Place of Gold' is South Africa’s longest running daily soap opera and is broadcast on MNET fives times a week. Over the past fourteen years, Egoli has remained one of the networks’ most watched programmes. Egoli's creator Franz Marx researched Brazilian, American and European soaps extensively before he... Read full biography >

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