Brains? recently saw a schmik looking preview for a little indy number called ‘Marcell Trilogy’ on YouTube, complete with a grave digging scene in The Pines and immaculate looking productions values. Brains? had a peek behind the curtain to see who was there. Turned out it was Wade K. Savage. ‘Marcel Trilogy’ premieres at FTI on May 27th. Check the details here and head down.

Brains?:   Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do and why?

WKS:   My name is Wade K. Savage and I am working professionally as a film editor. I finished ‘film school’ in 2006 and have been lucky enough to have been working ever since. I primarily cut documentaries and features as an Assistant Editor. However, my main goal is to direct, of which I’ve had the chance to do more of lately.

I’m trained in the use of primarily Avid Non Linear editing products. I was trained using Avid Adrenaline systems, but I can pretty much use anything in the range that is available today. I’ve also had training as an Online Editor for Electric Pictures, which is basically program finishing and output. So my day can consist of digitizing and logging footage or performing finishing checks on whole programs for output to broadcasters.

Since I mainly work as an Assistant Editor, I end up with the more laborious tasks. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very important, but not very creative. However that’s how our industry works; you work hard and eventually you move up a little and end up doing something more fun or fulfilling.

In regards to what I love about my job, it’s two things. The first thing being that I can see a story develop from the beginning to the end. I can see something from the sum of it’s parts right up until it becomes a final film/documentary. The other being that the more editing I do, the better a director I become. Because that’s where my heart is, I try to learn as much as I can about coverage, performance and plotting from the rushes I see day to day.

There seems to be lot of confusion between a computer End User and an Editor. A computer End User is someone who is really good with AV software and believes that mastering technology will always ensure good storytelling. This is not really the case. You need to have an understanding of performance and timing, coupled with technical know-how. The only way to learn this is to cut with real editors. Tutorials, magazines and forums won’t cut it in comparison to sitting with a great editor for a few hours.

[Work-wise] Perth is steady at the moment. However, it can be either feast or famine. Post Production is solid provided you work hard and fast, and you must always make the most of good opportunities. If something good comes along -always jump on it.

The idea is to move over east once I have established myself as a director, however I really do love Perth. It’s just that Perth can be really tricky if you want to create particular movies, as we really only make two types of content here. Documentaries and children’s television.

Dark House Imagery Studios is my trade-name and my production company. We were set up in 2001 and we produce primarily short-form drama at the moment. Having just finished a short film series (Marcel Trilogy) we’re now shopping around to get a feature up and running. Dark House is basically where my passion lies, as this company enables me to produce works that I can direct. The beauty of having your own little company is that no one dictates what kind of films you can direct. In W.A. especially where genre isn’t so hot, it’s good to have that kind of outlet.

[editor- damn youtube HD breaks my template]

‘Marcel Trilogy’ was actually supposed to be three little films that were going to bolster my showreel for something else we wanted funding for. But, we’ve been getting such great feedback on them, they’ve become more than we could have imagined! They’re completely self-funded and independently made, having been shot on a Canon EOS 5D SLR Camera and cut on an Avid Xpress System.

A lot of the actors were friends or ‘friends of friends’. The entire process took just two months to put together, and we shot close to 30 minutes screen time in four days! We’ve entered them in all kinds of festivals and we’re premiering them on the 27th of May!

Brains?:   I have a glorious vision of the future, let me explain; Perth is a mini-Hollywood. Short form content, of all genres is god and people come from all over to enjoy the wonderful shooting conditions. Why am I utterly insane in dreaming this?

WKS:   I don’t think you are. We have great networks all over this town, we just need people to be more brave with concepts and genre. Hollywood was a dusty little burg 80 years ago, so there’s no reason Perth can’t grow. However, the main problem we have is fear and lack of commercial funding for projects that will actually turn a profit. We have so many wonderfully talented people in this town, but they’ll all leave when they see other stuff is happening over east or in the States. It’s hard because our industry is completely based on government funding. The network and the cable channels throw a little in, but comparatively our turnaround is just too small.

Brains?:  Finally, any links?

Here are three interesting links:

www.conceptart.org : Excellent Visual Stuff

www.bloody-disgusting.com: Ultra-Commercial Horror Film Website

www.darkhouse.com.au: Our website