Cut to the Chase: Forty-Five Years of Editing America's Favourite Movies [Paperback]

Sam O'Steen (Author), Bobbie O'Steen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

This groundbreaking book takes the reader behind the closed doors of the editing room where Sam O'Steen along with some of the world's top directors controlled the fate of many legendary films. Editors don't usually sit on movie sets, but Sam was there through the entire shoot and his editing tales are spiced with juicy anecdotes about exotic locations and colorful producers, directors, and stars.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

O'Steen lived in New York and Los Angeles, edited dozens of renowned films.

O'Steen wife of Sam O'Steen, is successful screenwriter and editor who lives in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094118837X
• ISBN-13: 978-0941188371
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling mix of a master at work and celebrity intriques, March 28, 2002

By 

"dualfish" (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cut to the Chase: Forty-Five Years of Editing America's Favourite Movies (Paperback)

This book documents the creative evolution of the editor's role in Hollywood. Sam and Bobbie O'Steen weave a fascinating tale of how Sam worked his way from messenger at Warner Bros. to 'a pair of hands cutter' to master artist crafting the most amazing films that emerged after the fall of the studio system: "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf", "Catch 22","Carnal Knowledge", "Chinatown". He worked with the top artists of his time and shares many unique and special anecdotes about them. Along the way he gives us insight into a master editor at work, writing about the choices and changes that can make a good film, great. A great addition to film fan or film students library.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, March 22, 2002

By 

"anomalywhd" (West Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cut to the Chase: Forty-Five Years of Editing America's Favourite Movies (Paperback)

Sam and Bobbie O'Steen have given us an exceptional mix of Sam's takes on all the elements that go into movie making - human, technical, personalities, talent/no talent and gossip - in a way that made me feel as though I was in a living room listening to Sam O'Steen tell stories. What a treat.

Sam O'Steen's editor's view of movie making combined with quite a cutting sense of life is unique. His throw away lines about some executives and stars are very telling. His generosity talking about editing brings great sense to the whole movie making process, and his body of work (Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, The Graduate, Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby, Catch 22, Carnal Knowledge, Silkwood, Working Girl, and all the rest...) allows him to speak with an earned cockiness. This book is a treasure for anyone who loves movies.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read For Film Fans, February 9, 2002

By 

Blake Snyder "author, Save The Cat!" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cut to the Chase: Forty-Five Years of Editing America's Favourite Movies (Paperback)

This is one of the best books about the film business I've ever read. Legendary film editor Sam O'Steen tells all about his craft and about the importance of the relationship between editor and director. In doing so, we learn how the editor's role was crucial in shaping some of the greatest films of the last forty years including Who's Afraid Of Virgina Wolf, The Graduate, Carnal Knowledge, Silkwood and others. The book is the transcribed conversations between Sam and his wife and fellow editor, Bobbie O'Steen. It is remarkably intimate and wonderful in its backstage gossip as Bobbie gets a great performance from Sam, a classic storyteller who pulls no punches. Critical insight into the technique of filmmaking is mixed with racous and often breathtaking tales of Hollywood before parents began sending their kids to film school as an alternative to being a doctor.