This groundbreaking book takes the reader behind the closed doors of the editing room where Sam O'Steen along with some of the world's top directors controlled the fate of many legendary films. Editors don't usually sit on movie sets, but Sam was there through the entire shoot and his editing tales are spiced with juicy anecdotes about exotic locations and colorful producers, directors, and stars.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
A compelling mix of a master at work and celebrity intriques, March 28, 2002
By
(Beverly Hills, CA United States)
This book documents the creative evolution of the editor's role in Hollywood. Sam and Bobbie O'Steen weave a fascinating tale of how Sam worked his way from messenger at Warner Bros. to 'a pair of hands cutter' to master artist crafting the most amazing films that emerged after the fall of the studio system: "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf", "Catch 22","Carnal Knowledge", "Chinatown". He worked with the top artists of his time and shares many unique and special anecdotes about them. Along the way he gives us insight into a master editor at work, writing about the choices and changes that can make a good film, great. A great addition to film fan or film students library.
Required Reading, March 23, 2002
By
(West Hollywood, CA)
Sam and Bobbie O'Steen have given us an exceptional mix of Sam's takes on all the elements that go into movie making - human, technical, personalities, talent/no talent and gossip - in a way that made me feel as though I was in a living room listening to Sam O'Steen tell stories. What a treat.
Sam O'Steen's editor's view of movie making combined with quite a cutting sense of life is unique. His throw away lines about some executives and stars are very telling. His generosity talking about editing brings great sense to the whole movie making process, and his body of work (Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, The Graduate, Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby, Catch 22, Carnal Knowledge, Silkwood, Working Girl, and all the rest...) allows him to speak with an earned cockiness. This book is a treasure for anyone who loves movies.
Very highly recommended for any film student or movie buff, March 21, 2002
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Cut To The Chase: Forty-five Years Of Editing America's Favorite Movies is a rare look into the film editor's trade. In the format of an extended interview of Hollywood legend Sam O'Steen, editor of such renowned movies as "The Graduate," "Chinatown," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?", and with the assistance of his wife, Bobbie O'Steen (herself an experienced writer and former film editor) covers all aspects of the creative movie making process as it really is in the lumbering, confusing, and sometimes merciless machine that is Hollywood. Showcasing the stars that he worked with, and much more, Cut To The Chase is very highly recommended for any film student or movie buff curious about what really goes on behind the silver screen.
not as much actual editing info as expected, February 18, 2002
By Ronald A. Sussman (Scottsdale, AZ)
While I do recomend this book as a good insight into the politics of making a major motion picture, I found it lacking in the one area it should have exceled in-editing. As an editor myself I was looking for more insight to O'Steen's thought process and editiorial technique and less behind the scenes gossip. Skip all the chapters after "Chinatown". It is a good read up to that point.
A Must-Read For Film Fans, February 9, 2002
By Blake Snyder (Los Angeles, CA United States)
This is one of the best books about the film business I've ever read. Legendary film editor Sam O'Steen tells all about his craft and about the importance of the relationship between editor and director. In doing so, we learn how the editor's role was crucial in shaping some of the greatest films of the last forty years including Who's Afraid Of Virgina Wolf, The Graduate, Carnal Knowledge, Silkwood and others. The book is the transcribed conversations between Sam and his wife and fellow editor, Bobbie O'Steen. It is remarkably intimate and wonderful in its backstage gossip as Bobbie gets a great performance from Sam, a classic storyteller who pulls no punches. Critical insight into the technique of filmmaking is mixed with racous and often breathtaking tales of Hollywood before parents began sending their kids to film school as an alternative to being a doctor.
