I love to tell stories. A good story becomes a great story by the way it is told. When I saw the boards for the Washington State Lottery spot “Birds” from Scott Rausmassen and Jeff Siegle at Publicis West, I thought it was good story. The challenge was how to tell it and make it a great story.
Creativity and excitement feed each other. I met with Fischer Edit Producer Bill Rogina and Fischer FX artist Jake Parker. I also had a conference call with Director Jerry Brown from Sticks ‘n Stones in Los Angeles. Jerry and Jake talked a lot about the effects work and green screen and how to make it seamless and totally believable. We could all sense this spot would be very cool.
Building emotional impact, and making people feel something. When I started editing with Jerry, it just clicked. I had seen his reel and could tell what a great storyteller he was. My editing background at The Sundance Institute, Moonstone, and the short films I have done, made me a good match with Jerry. I love the little nuances and shots that give detail and propel the story forward.
Hang-gliders in Washington Lottery’s ad
As an editor I pull from personal experiences: with the “Birds” spot, it was flying lessons. When I was getting some solo flight time out of the Crystal Airport in the Piper Tomahawk 2423November, I flew out west of Minneapolis to practice some maneuvers. I was flying over a farmer’s fields practicing turns and then leveling the wings when I’d cross a road. It was such a lovely free feeling out there, I was so into it.
I decided I had better get back to the Crystal Airport. It was then that I realized I was so into the maneuvers I was lost! I thought quickly and pulled out the map from my flight kit to start looking for lakes, railroad tracks, freeways, etc. I pulled it out and, WHOA, it’s for the Dallas /Ft Worth area! After the initial shock, almost stalling, I kept my composure. I found the Albertville Water Tower and made it back to the Crystal Airport – and made a perfect landing!
It’s just like editing.
- by Lindy Wilson, editor
Fischer Edit, Minneapolis, Minn.
View “Birds” here:
Washington Lottery’s “Birds” edited by Fischer Edit from Fischer Edit on Vimeo.
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