Jamal is a sergeant with a Special Forces unit in the Iraqi army. Along with squad leader Anmar, Hussein, Amjad, Abbas and a few others were some of the first to go into Mosul last year to try to retake the city from Isis. With them was French film-maker Olivier Sarbi. This observational documentary captures all aspects of war, the confusion of what’s going on, the confusion of who is Isis and who is not and the horror for the terrified civilians after months of living in fear.
The Guardian states “It is an extraordinary film – insanely brave, but also intimate and human. The sound of automatic gunfire rings on long after the final credits”
Here is what Ella has to say about editing the project “I was spoilt in this job with such rare to get and beautifully shot rushes, and also to get to hear all the experiences shooting it direct from Olivier ( Saebil) the crazy genius! But it was also intense in that even while we were editing people Olivier had been with on the Unit had been killed or badly injured. The composers are actually from Massive Attack! And they were good to work with so that’s pretty cool”
Well done to Ella Newton who edited this poignant documentary!
We had an awesome time at The Grierson Awards last night. It was great to attend an event with so many talented documentary film makers. Stephen Mangan was a fantastic host and it was wonderful to see Stacey Dooley, Nadiya Hussain and George Alagiah to name but a few to present the awards!
The Highlights Showreel for the ceremony was edited by Kel McKeown. This year’s categories were tough, filled with wonderful, moving, insightful films. Congratulations to Duncan Hill, Graham Taylorand Michael Harte who all worked on projects that were nominated. It was great to catch up with Michael Harte too!
Congratulations to all the nominees. A full list of the winners can be found here
On Friday the 3rd November at 9.40am, Hector ate his last carrot.
Beloved Hector, who is the image behind Satusfaction, will be sorely missed. His age is still unknown, but he was at least 33 years old which is not bad going for a horse!
Hector didn’t like people much, although he was very fond of his owner, Satu. With most people he was a bit of a bully, but people still seemed to love him, there was something about his character that you couldn’t help but admire.
He did become a little more affectionate in his old age and would happily give you a kiss if you gave him a carrot, or any other edible treat.
Hector will be very fondly remembered – RIP Hector
Lem Lawrence recently completed grading, graphics and online work for Sam Smith’s new Apple Music documentary ‘On the Record’ for his upcoming album ‘The Thrill of it All’
Lem graded the 45min documentary on Flame at Halo Post, creating a rich, moody look, and also adding life and movement into black and white stills photography, with the use of parallax and lighting effects. The Director was James Barber.
The documentary will be available to download on Apple Music on the 3rd November. In it Sam Smith reflects on the success of his debut album, “In The Lonely Hour,” and how it’s impacted his life, his work and not least the new album. The film also includes performances and interviews with Smith collaborators Timbaland, Poo Bear and cowriter Jimmy Napes.
Graham Taylor edited this unique project last year and Will Adams assisted on the film too.
Children of the Snow Land was made to help the mountain people of Nepal. It tells the story of 3 children who were sent away by their families at age 4 for an education. Now aged 16, they’re returning home to see parents for the first time in 12 years. By raising awareness this film can improve the situation and reconnect more children with their families.
Graham really enjoyed working on this film, he found it a truly original project that transformed over the edit. Originally, much of the footage was shot as research for a bigger budget production, but the material, filmed on go-pros by Nepalese children, had such a unique and authentic tone, coupled with dramatic events that took place during filming, that the producers and Graham decided they had to make this the core of the film.
Over the next year and a half, with some more filming trips and 3 phases of editing, the team created a film unlike anything else.
Rooted in the go-pro footage, but with the benefit of storytelling experience of the production team, they created an epic story, yet on a personal, intimate, scale, that goes some way to depicting the difficult, moving and inspiring lives of the subjects.
This film will resonate with a lot of people, it’s a real voyage into self-discovery.
The film will have a huge impact on the lives of countless children who grow up at Snowland School without any idea of their homeland and cultural identity, and perhaps help them understand why their parents had to make the ultimate sacrifice, and hand over their children in the hope that their lives and those of future generations, would be better than their own.
Directed/produced by Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson, Exec Producer Christopher Hird
Children of the Snow Landis now complete and will enter into festivals. It will screen in Kathmandu in December at the Kathmandu International Film Festival (KIMFF)
Congratulations to Graham, Will and everyone involved!
Sounds Like Friday Night is a brand new music show broadcasting live from BBC Television Centre in White City. The show has been described as “Top of the Pops meets Saturday Night Live”, for its mix of live music and comedy. Each week, a celebrity host will join the main two presenters (Radio 1 DJ and presenter Greg James and Radio 1 Xtra’s Dotty) . Gavin Ames, who has the perfect experience in comedy and music for this project is one of the editors on the series which is produced by Fulwell 73.
Sounds Like Friday Night debuts on BBC One at 19:30 on Friday 27 October.
Sony Music Editor and Initial Film Assembly: Gwyn Moxham
George Michael: Freedom: Sony Music
The late George Michael’s long awaited documentary is on Channel 4, Monday 16th October at 9pm, and on Showtime in the US a week later. It’s an intimate look into the extraordinary life and career of the award-winning singer and songwriter, in the years surrounding his second solo album “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1″. Narrated by the star, it features never-seen personal footage and interviews with music legends including Stevie Wonder, Mary J Blige and Liam Gallagher. Gwyn Moxham started compiling and restoring archive material for this mammoth project almost 3 years ago, even bringing David Fincher’s iconic video ‘Freedom ‘90’ back to life in glorious 4K. He spent a year editing the actual film, and can’t wait to finally see it on TV.
Channel 4 – Monday 16th October 9pm GMT Showtime (US) – Monday 21st October 9PM ET/PT
Lifetime brings back the new season of Britain’s Next Top Model. Would-be-models take on challenges every week to find out who will win the modelling contract and the chance of a lifetime in the final episode. They meet experts and celebrities from the fashion industry. The winner normally receives a modelling contract, cosmetics campaign, and a spread within a fashion magazine which also includes appearing on the front cover.
The lovely Janet Shaw edited episode 7. Here’s what she said about editing the show:
“Britain’s Next Top Model is a gem. There’s a great family vibe at Thumbs Up and I liked squirreling away on photoshoot montages and the likes under the watchful cardboard eyes of Elle, Abbey, Janice and the other Top Model beauties. Air-con blowing my hair as I edit. So glam. ? Good fun light hearted entertainment I’ve often enjoyed watching on the telly at home.”
The first episode of the series is aired on Thursday 19th Oct at 9pm.
The Grierson Trust has announced the final nominations for the 45th annual British Documentary Awards, known as The Griersons. Established in 1972, the Griersons are the biggest event in the UK documentary calendar.
No Place to Call Home: BBC2
Edited by Michael Harte– nominated for ‘Best Single Documentary
50 years ago, the powerful Cathy Come Home shone a light on the desperate housing problems gripping Britain. Now in 2016, this country is once again at the mercy of a housing meltdown – a lack of affordable homes, sky-high rents, 70 per cent of council housing stock sold, a rise in homelessness. The housing officers in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham face daily queues of angry residents desperate for help. Filmed over nine months, this film shows us a whole new generation desperately looking in vain for a place to call home.
Last Days of Solitary: PBS Frontline & Mongoose Pictures, BBC4.
Edited by Graham Taylor– nominated for ‘Best Single Documentary-International’ and ‘Best Current Affairs Documentary’
In 2011, Bafta and Emmy-winning film-maker Dan Edge and his co-director Lauren Mucciolo were given unprecedented access to the solitary unit of Maine State Prison. They filmed there for more than three years. The result is an extraordinary and harrowing portrait of life in solitary – and a unique document of a radical and risky experiment to reform a prison.
The Drug Trial: Emergency at the Hospital: Raw TV, BBC2 Edited by Duncan Hill-nominated for ‘Best Science Documentary’
On Monday 13 March 2006, eight healthy young men took part in a clinical trial of an experimental drug known as TGN1412. The drug was intended to treat leukaemia and had already been successfully tested on monkeys but never on humans. Within an hour of receiving the drug, six of the volunteers were fighting for their lives. A decade on, this drama documentary tells the story of what really happened during the trial, during the critical hours as medical staff fought to save the patients’ lives, and through the aftermath as the authorities sought to understand what had happened.
Congratulations to Michael, Graham and Duncan and to everyone else nominated! The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Monday 6th November and the Satusfaction team will be there to celebrate!
The spin-off series of The Island with Bear Grylls is back on our screens as part of a charity campaign for Stand Up to Cancer UK . Celebrity participants are left on a remote uninhabited Pacific island for 4 weeks with only limited water, some basic tools and training.
Exec Producers: Mike Cotton, Sarah Fay, and Lewis Thurlow Studio Lambert for BBC 1 Editor: James Sheldon: Ep 4 Claudia Winkleman has returned to the castle with a stellar line-up of celebrity contestants, ready to face the ultimate test of trust, deceit, and strategy. Featuring: Alan Carr, Cat Burns,… Read More
The Griersons started in 1972 and is one of the biggest events in the UK documentary calendar. This years’ nominations have just been announced and we are delighted to see some familiar names being recognised. The awards celebrate documentaries from Britain and abroad that have made a significant… Read More
Exec Producers: Rachel Viner and Georgina Hinds Editor: Jack Brown CPL Productions for BBC One Brand-new dating experiment Stranded on Honeymoon Island takes twelve singles looking for lifelong love and throws them into the ultimate test of commitment. After just a five-minute speed date, they’re paired up, married on… Read More
