Caroline Biggerstaff

Caroline Biggerstaff is an editor who has been working in the film industry since 1974. She has worked with many famous moviemakers ans actors. She now works for the French Cinema but she started in the American industry. Her last job is a TV mini-series «  La Lance de la destinée »* that will be broadcasted for the 21^st December 2008 on « M6 ».

Interview :

What attracted you in this job ?

- I've always loved movies. Since I was thirteen, I decided I would work in the movie business but only behind the camera. In my days the only female jobs available in that profession then were to my knowledge : hairdresser, make up artist or script-girl.

I wanted to be either a cameraman or a sound man. That was impossible. Luckily I came in contact with a film editor. Editing combined what I loved most : the techniques of film and sound.

What is your best memorie in your career ?

- When I was editing the movie « The Stunt Man »*, the main actor caùe in the editing room to see us and work with us for two months. Only wee just listen to him for two months because he was so interesting. He talked to us about all his experiences. It was Peter O'Toole.

Of all the movies you worked on wich one is your favorite ?

- My favorite movie was « Days of Heaven »* with Richard Gere and Sam Shepard. Terrance Malik the director was a real genius. It was extremely gratifyingworking with him. We spent 18 months working 20 hours a day experimenting new techniques.

What is your favorite part in the job ?

- Once the picture and dialogues are cut together and we get a first editing of the movie, we then add music and sound effects. In the making you finally see picture come alive.

Everything we imagine in the making of the movie becomes real.

I've noticed that you have been travelling a lot for your job. Which place was the best to work on a film and which one was the worst ?

- There are many places I went for my job and loved them like Rome, Toronto, Los Angeles etc...But there is one that was the best and the worst. It was Rio de Janeiro. It is the paradise everybody imagine by it's beautiful sites. But it is the hardest to live in because of the poverty of the people. At night you can here a lot of gun shots of policemen killing little orphans. A terrifying moment to live.

How would you compare the French Cinema with the American Cinema ?

- American movies are more based on entertainment, action or big love stories. French cinema is known as « Cinema d'auteur ». The big difference is in the budget because there is so much more money involved in the making of the movie in te US.

Which actor impressed you the most ?

- I would say Denzel Washington, I worked with him on « Soldier Story »*, one of his first movies and he is professionalism impressed me very much. He was already extremely talented. He carried the movie on his shoulders by his impeccable acting an yet stayed absolutely simple in the relationship with the other actors.

What makes you decide on what movie you are going to work on ?

- I've worked a lot in the USA and there, they easily keep you in one category of movies.

So from te very beginning I try to choose very different sort of movies. Making my range very wide.

How do you see your job in the future ?

- Quite lonely because since computers arrived in editing room's we work alone when we used to have 4 or 5 assistants in the film area.

It was a team effort. Today it is just the quicker, the better just like in journalism. I can only imagine that this will be worst.

 Thank you very much for answering my questions.

Filmographie :

La Lance de la destinée (2007)*

A Soldier's Story (1984)*

The Stunt Man (1980) *

Days of Heaven (1978) *

Editor:

Days of Heaven (1978)

1. "Lance de la destinée, La" (2007)* TV mini-series
   ... aka The Lance of Longinus (International: English title: promotional title)
   ... aka The Spear of Destiny (International: English title)

2. Mes parents chéris (2006) (TV)

3. Diamond Hunters (2001)

4. Retour à Fonteyne (1999) (TV)

5. Five Seconds to Spare (1999)

6. Spanish Fly (1998)
   ... aka Spanish Fly (France)

7. Bela Donna (1998)
   ... aka White Dunes

8. Appartement, L' (1996)
   ... aka Appartamento, L' (Italy)
   ... aka Flash-back (El apartamento) (Spain)
   ... aka The Apartment

9. Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995) (TV)

10. A Child's Cry for Help (1994) (TV)

11. Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire (1994) (TV)
    ... aka Caught in the Crossfire (USA: short title)

12. Heart of a Child (1994) (TV)

13. Natural Selection (1994) (TV)
    ... aka Dark Reflection

14. The Disappearance of Christina (1993) (TV)

15. A Case for Murder (1993) (TV)

16. Ruby Cairo (1993)
    ... aka Deception (USA: video title (recut version))
    ... aka The Missing Link: Ruby Cairo

17. Wildfeuer (1991)
    ... aka Wildfire

18. Eve of Destruction (1991)

19. Without Her Consent (1990) (TV)

20. Renegades (1989)

21. The Seventh Sign (1988)

22. True Stories (1986)

23. Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986)

24. The Look (1985) (as Caroline Ferriol)

25. A Soldier's Story (1984)*

26. The Phantom of the Opera (1983) (TV)

27. Cutter's Way (1981) (as Caroline Ferriol)
    ... aka Cutter and Bone

28. The Stunt Man (1980) *

29. Jackson County Jail (1976) (as Caroline Ferriol)
    ... aka The Innocent Victim (USA: video title)

30. Ballad for Billy the Kid (1974)