Claire Simpson


Claire Simpson is a British film editor. For her work on Oliver Stone's Platoon, she won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing and was nominated for The Constant Gardener, while her work on both films won her the BAFTA Award for Best Editing. She also worked as editor of Stone's Salvador and Wall Street.

Claire Simpson - Quotes about editing

  • "I think that editing has...to do with architecture and, having built a house recently, I can honestly say that dealing with the plumbing can be as tantalizing as disguising the mechanics of the plot."
  • "Cutting rooms are only dark and gloomy places if you make them so. Hard work, educated taste, sharp instincts, and a flair for the absurd have been essential to my career as an editor as well as important ingredients for my life. And never underestimate the value of good luck. I know many extraordinarily talented people who have not been lucky enough to win an Academy Award. Don't get me wrong, it was remarkably validating to win. But what really counts is to face every working day with the guts to be honest, both with your director and with the material you're working with. If you can't do that, don't take the job."

    Filmography

YearFilmDirectorRoleNotes
1979CaligulaTinto BrassThird assistant editorUncredited
1981RedsWarren BeattyAssistant film editor
2015Black MassScott CooperAdditional editing

YearFilmDirectorRole
2003Imagining ArgentinaChristopher HamptonThanks
2011The Tree of LifeTerrence MalickSpecial thanks

TV movies
YearFilmDirector-
1983Peace on Borrowed TimeMalcolm ClarkeFirst collaboration with Malcolm Clarke

TV series
YearTitleNotes
2020Raised by Wolves1 episode

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983KennedyEditor7 episodes

Academy Award nominations & wins