Australian Screen Editors


Australian Screen Editors was founded in 1995 by a group of Screen Editors who gathered at the Harold Park Hotel in Sydney to discuss working conditions and schedules being badly affected by the perceived efficiencies of the new non-linear editing systems being introduced, and issues arising from the funding bodies dictating crewing.Film Editor Henry Dangar became its first president and Jenny Ward became Vice President. The guild is "dedicated to the pursuit and recognition of excellence in the arts, sciences and technology of motion picture and televisual post production. It aims to promote, improve and protect the role of editor as an essential and significant contributor to all screen productions."
The current President of ASE is Scott Walmsley. Immediate past presidents include Danielle Boesenberg, Fiona Strain, Deborah Peart, Dany Cooper, Jason Ballantine, Karen Pearlman, Lindi Harrison and Peter Whitmore. It currently has over 1000 members in all Australian states, predominantly in NSW and Victoria.

Membership

Applications for ASE membership are invited from professional screen editors, assistant editors, students of screen editing and associated film industry professionals. Applicants must have a folio of significant editorial work in film and/or television. There are three types of memberships: Full members, associate members and student members. Some notable members such as Jill Bilcock are members of both the Australian Screen Editors and American Cinema Editors. Members are not permitted to use the acronym "ASE" after their names on screen credits until they obtain ASE accreditation.

Accreditation

ASE accreditation is like an honorary degree given to members who have made a significant contribution to editing. There are currently 46 accredited members. Accreditation is presented at the annual ASE awards night and are given under the following guidelines.
  • It is an acknowledgement of a very strong body of work over a period of time.
  • It is given by editing peers and therefore has a high value attached to it.
  • It is an acknowledgement of an editor who has continued to pass on the craft of editing to those who want to learn.
  • It is an acknowledgement of an editor who has continued to work actively in promoting the values of good editing and editing practices.

    Guild structure

The ASE has an executive committee based in Sydney and sub committees in Melbourne, Brisbane,Perth and Adelaide, who meet monthly to discuss issues and organise events such as talks by industry professionals, technical events and screenings.

Resources

ASE owns and operates both "Editsearch", an online based bulletin board for ASE members providing information on editorial related jobs, and a mentor scheme, where younger or less experienced members can gain work experience with senior industry professionals. In addition, ASE also provides a wealth of resources such as an online forum, technical articles and information about Australian editing culture as well as the history of editing. A newsletter is also published quarterly and distributed to members.

Awards

ASE awards and accreditation nights are held annually in Sydney. Eligible members are presented with their ASE accreditation during this ceremony.
The ASE Award itself is called an "Ellie" and is a crystal rectangle with a corner that has been "cut" off. The front of the award an engraving of an elephant with the winners information engraved on its side. The elephant is a reference to the previous award that was an elephant cast in solid bronze.
It is presented in the following thirteen categories:
  • Comedy
  • Commercials
  • Documentary & Documentary Series
  • Documentary Feature
  • Drama
  • Drama Feature
  • Drama Short
  • Factual Entertainment
  • Music Video
  • Open Content
  • Reality TV
  • Technical Excellence
  • Trailers & Promos
Complementing the Ellie awards are two Emerging Editor categories that recognise early career practitioners.
  • Emerging Editor - Student
  • Emerging Editor - Early Career

    Best Editing in a Feature Film

YearTitleRecipient
2021NitramNick Fenton
2021I Met a GirlPhillip Horn
2021The FurnaceMerlin Eden
2021June AgainMark Warner
2020The Invisible ManAndy Canny
2020Hearts and BonesPhillip Horn
2020True History of the Kelly GangNick Fenton
2020UnsoundScott Walmsley
2019Ladies in BlackMark Warner
2019I Am MotherSean Lahiff
2019Judy and PunchDany Cooper
2019Sequin in a Blue RoomTim Guthrie
2018BreathDany Cooper
2018JirgaNikki Stevens
2018JungleSean Lahiff
2018Sweet CountryNick Meyers
2018UpgradeAndy Canny
2017LionAlexandre de Franceschi
2017Dance Academy: The MovieGeoffrey Lamb
2017Don't TellPeter Carrodus
2017Hounds of LoveMerlin Eden
2016TannaTania Nehme
2016The DaughterVeronika Jenet
2016Girl AsleepKarryn de Cinque
2016A Month of SundaysKen Sallows
2016RestorationCindy Clarkson
2015Holding the ManDany Cooper
2015Is This the Real WorldBen Joss
2015One Eyed GirlDavid Ngo
2015Paper PlanesNick Meyers
201452 TuesdaysBryan Mason
2014The Little DeathChristian Gazal
2014The Railway ManMartin Connor
2013The RocketNick Meyers
2013The Great GatsbyJason Ballantine, Jonathan Redmond
2013GoddessMark Warner
2012Burning ManMartin Connor
2012MentalJill Bilcock
2012The SapphiresDany Cooper
2012Wish You Were HereJason Ballantine
2011Oranges and SunshineDany Cooper
2011BlameMeredith Watson Jeffrey
2011Mad BastardsClaire Fletcher
2011Tomorrow, When the War BeganMarcus D'Arcy
2010Beneath Hill 60Dany Cooper
2010Animal KingdomLuke Doolan
2010BaliboNick Meyers
2010Bright StarAlexandre de Franceschi
2010Coffin RockAdrian Rostirolla
2009Samson & DelilahRoland Gallois
2009AustraliaDody Dorn, Michael McCusker
2009Beautiful KateVeronika Jenet
2009Two Fists, One HeartDeborah Peart, Milena Romanin
2008The Painted VeilAlexandre de Francheschi
2008The Black BalloonVeronika Jenet
2008Men's GroupStuart Morley
2008RogueJason Ballantine
2007Romulus My FatherSuresh Ayyar
2007ClublandScott Gray
2007Lucky MilesHenry Dangar
2007WestRoland Gallois
2006CandyDany Cooper
2006The Caterpillar WishJason Ballantine
2006The LibertineJill Bilcock

Best Editing in a Documentary Feature

  • 2014: Once my Mother, Denise Haslem
  • 2013: Show Me The Magic, Scott Walton
  • 2012: Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, Sally Fryer
  • 2011: Girls Own War Stories, Antoinette Ford
  • 2010: My Asian Heart, Andrew Arestides
  • 2009: A Good Man, Nicholas Beauman
  • 2008: The Cars That Ate China, Andrew Arestides
  • 2007: Choir of Hard Knocks, Steve Robinson
  • 2006: Unfolding Florence, Nick Beauman

    Best Editing in a Documentary Program

  • 2014: Cronulla Riots – The Day That Shocked the Nation, Melanie Annan
  • 2013: Buckskin, David Banbury
  • 2012: A Law Unto Himself, Andrea Lang

    Best Editing in a Documentary Series

  • 2014: Kakadu – Ep 4, Caspar Mazzotti
  • 2013: Desert War Ep 1, ‘Tobruk’, Lawrence Silvestrin
  • 2012: Australian Story, ‘Streets with No Names’, Steven Baras-Miller