Working from home, Jamie Kirkpatrick edited a solid, tight Western script that was proposed to him as “a Wal-Mart movie,” only to realize from the dailies that it was actually turning into a great movie. Months later, after successful reviews from the Venice Film Festival, writer-director Potsy Ponciroli’s Western is in theaters and one of the year’s best movies. In particular, one of the influences for the movie discussed between editor and director was Kevin Costner’s underrated, last directorial outing, Open Range, and in particular its messy gunfight finale. On this episode, joined by Ted Haycraft, we discuss:
The wide list of Westerns Kirkpatrick studied while editing, from Blazing Saddles to Pale Rider;
two editors shop talk, particularly about editing a film remotely frame-by-frame on software that lags significantly;
then they talk shop more, particularly about Kirkpatrick’s short editing schedule for Old Henry;
and then, somehow, they talk more editorial shop.
Also:
Kevin Costner’s tiny directorial trilogy of lengthy, cinematically-informed films, which talk back to film history;
why certain perfectly-great film’s Oscar success hurts them in posterity, when they won over other beloved films (Dances With Wolves v. GoodFellas);
how many bullets are actually in a movie six-shooter, at least from an editor’s standpoint;
and also: more editors’ shop talk.
Jamie Kirkpatrick is a New York-based editor and filmmaker. His feature editing credits include Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, Ed Burns’ The Groomsmen, My Friend Dahmer, We Summon the Darkness, and Critical Thinking.
Open Range is available digitally to rent or buy.
Old Henry is currently playing in select theaters.