He won 3 Oscars and no one knows him! However, this shadowy person owes a lot to Martin Scorsese

As they say, “behind every great man is a woman.” This aphorism is verified by the legendary director Martin Scorsese. From Raging Bull to Goodfellas After Hours, Open Grave, Gangs of New York, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street or the recent Flower Moon Killers, the filmmaker has offered us a number of great films.

The Great Lady of Shadows

However, what is much less known is that the Shadow Man has been helping him create his artwork for 45 years. This is one of the main keys to Martin Scorsese’s success as a complete vision of action. This is his favorite editor he’s worked with since Raging Bull: Thelma Schoonmaker.

Wife of the late filmmaker Michael Powell, Scorsese’s mentor and friend, she has produced all of the American maestro’s films since 1980. It’s simple, a New Yorker absolutely cannot do without it! “Turn it on The last temptation of ChristMarty borrows the only walkie-talkie of the Moroccan royal family, just to ask my opinion.”Thelma confided in an interview with So Film magazine in November 2024.

This anecdote says a lot about the close relationship between Martin Scorsese and his assigned editor. Thelma Schoonmaker met the director at New York University in the 1960s, he wanted to get into editing and answered an ad offering a 6-week summer course.

“Someone ruined his short film by destroying the negative, spent 3 days putting it together and was exhausted. I helped him fix everything. From there he realized that I will always be at the service of his films.”pointed out Thelma Schoonmaker, back in the So Film columns.

Awarded with 3 Oscars!

Thus, this shadow artist is involved in all of Scorsese’s feature films, which received 8 Oscar nominations in the category of best editing. He won 3 Golden Statues for his excellent work in Raging Bull, Aviator and The Departed. Now 85, Thelma Schoonmaker continues to passionately collaborate with Martin Scorsese and will be there again on his next projects.

His intensive work can last from 6 to 9 months, sometimes up to 11 hours a day. Scorsese is still there, with him and looking over his shoulder. In the room where he works, Scorsese always turns on the TV, which broadcasts the TCM channel, specializing in classic and heritage films.

Only picture, no sound. Sometimes Marty and Thelma stop and watch TV to get inspiration for an idea to edit a movie that’s currently showing. With such a film-loving director, he always feels like he’s learning.

a decisive step

“When I come in, his first reaction is the most important, because he’s very critical and honest. De Niro is like that. They’re both brutally honest about what they do. They have no egos to protect.” Scorsese testified.

“When he’s writing, he’s already thinking about editing. Which means that the shooting time will be less, because he already knows where he can make cuts, because he knows that we can do it together. I also want the directors to know more about editing. , because it It’s a crucial step to finally give me credit for the work that Marty is also doing.Thelma explains humbly.

In conclusion, you should know that the editor will not be a huge fan of our friends Michelle and Michelle, given that his comments were reported by So Film. When asked what reprimands were given to fake connections for attracting attention, he answers sternly:

“How many times has he said that scene in Goodfellas where the cigar Paul Sorvino Disappears from one frame to another. What do you want me to tell you? This is what happens when you work with a director who leaves room for improvisation. Sometimes there’s just no choice.”Thelma Schoonmaker explains.

“I get a little annoyed when people insist on it. With the advent of the remote control, audiences have been happy to follow false connections. It’s funny. You’ll even see them in mainstream movies! Powell & Pressburger Let all kinds of false connections slip into Les Chaussons Rouge. Do you know why you don’t notice? Because the movie works!”Editor claims. Michelle and Michelle better watch out!