Thelma Schoonmaker
Thelma Schoonmaker: The Unsung Hero of Hollywood Editing
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Thelma Louise Schoonmaker was born on May 28, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is commonly known as Thelma Schoonmaker or Mrs. Martin Scorsese.
Birth and Death Dates
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Thelma Schoonmaker is still alive and active in the film industry.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Schoonmaker holds American nationality and has worked primarily as a film editor, but also dabbled in other roles such as producer, director, and screenwriter.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Philadelphia, Schoonmaker developed an interest in the arts at an early age. She began playing piano at 8 years old and later attended the Philadelphia Academy of Music before studying dance and drama at Swarthmore College. In her late teens, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting.
Major Accomplishments
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Thelma Schoonmaker's work as a film editor is highly regarded within the industry. She has collaborated with some of the most acclaimed directors in cinema history, including Martin Scorsese, for whom she has worked on numerous projects. Their collaborations include:
_Raging Bull_ (1980) - Winner of the Academy Award for Best Film Editing
_The King of Comedy_ (1983)
_Goodfellas_ (1990) - Winner of the National Board of Review Award for Best Editing
_Gangs of New York_ (2002) - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing
Notable Works or Actions
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Throughout her career, Schoonmaker has demonstrated a keen eye for storytelling and an ability to capture the essence of each project. Her work is characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of pacing.
One notable aspect of her contributions lies in her ability to transcend traditional genre boundaries. She has successfully adapted her skills to various types of films, including period dramas, gangster movies, and even experimental works like _The Aviator_ (2004).
Impact and Legacy
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Thelma Schoonmaker's influence on the film industry cannot be overstated. Her work with Martin Scorsese has had a lasting impact on contemporary cinema, raising the bar for editing as an art form.
Beyond her technical contributions, Schoonmaker's legacy extends to her advocacy for women in film and her dedication to nurturing emerging talent within the industry. Her commitment to preserving the craft of filmmaking has earned her recognition from peers and industry leaders alike.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Thelma Schoonmaker is widely quoted and remembered due to her groundbreaking work as a film editor, as well as her dedication to fostering creativity within the film community. Her collaborations with Martin Scorsese have produced some of the most iconic films in modern cinema history.
Schoonmaker's influence extends beyond the realm of editing, inspiring future generations of filmmakers through her passion for storytelling and commitment to excellence.
As a testament to her enduring legacy, Thelma Schoonmaker continues to be celebrated within the film industry as a trailblazer in every sense of the word.
Quotes by Thelma Schoonmaker

'Raging Bull' was just a dream to work on, but it took a lot of work to get all those fights to work right and incorporate them properly into the story.

I knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese... Through a series of weird events, I ended up at New York University, and there was Martin Scorsese, and he had some troubles with a film I was able to fix. That's the only reason I became a filmmaker.

I think everyone loves 'The Departed.' That was a movie that had a lot of problems structurally. And we had to battle with it. Fight. Experiment. Try different things. And I think finally we hit it.

Whenever I can, I like to go to Cotswolds, in England, where my husband had a cottage. I spend my time reading his diaries, which I would like to publish.

I have a great relationship and the highest respect for Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio. But working with De Niro has been simply incredible. While I was editing 'Raging Bull,' I was literally unable to take my eyes off him.

One day, I read an extremely vague ad looking for someone interested in working in film. Seeing as I loved watching films, I replied, and I found myself working for this guy who did his own personal editing of scenes from Antonioni and Fellini films.

Even though my parents are American, I spent my whole childhood and adolescence abroad.

One of our big tools is screening. We screen usually 12 times, which is much more than most filmmakers do, and we recut in between each one, because we really need to feel how the audience is reacting to the movie.

Film, if properly cared for, will last almost 100 years, but digital will not.
