Editor David Trachtenberg has joined Santa Monica-based post house Cosmo Street. For the past five years, Trachtenberg had worked as an editor at production companies headed by executive producer John Clark: first atminus 30 Films, and then at B-17, the editorial division of Boxer Films. Bothminus 30 Films and Boxer Films are based in Culver City, Calif. Some of Trachtenberg’s credits at Boxer include NYSE’s "Anthem" via BBDO New York; UUNET’s "Tower," through Donino White & Partners (now DWP/Bates Technology), Atlanta; and Cellular One’s "Party" via GSD&M, Austin. He also edited the Spitfire spec spot "Crime Scene" (SHOOT, "Best Work You May Never See," 11/19/99, p.16), which was done through his previous roost,minus 30 Films.
Philadelphia native Trachtenberg became interested in film as a high school student, and graduated from Temple University, Philadelphia, in ’92, with a B.A. in radio, television and film. His last four credits came courtesy of an internship at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ cinematography/editing program in Los Angeles. The internship took him to The Post Group, Hollywood, and after completing his training program, Trachtenberg started freelancing there. In ’94, while working as a freelance tape operator at the Culver City office of Pittard Sullivan, "I started to learn Avid editing and Henry. Then I met some directors, and began cutting demo reels whenever I could."
Towards the end of ’94, Trachtenberg cut a spec spot for director Larry O’Flahavan, who subsequently founded Spot Run Productions, Beverly Hills. This ad was Ray-Ban’s "The Fugitive," which went on to win a Silver Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival in ’95. At that time, Clark was executive producer atminus 30 Films. Having seen O’Flahavan’s reel, Clark asked the director who his editor was; Tractenberg signed withminus 30 Films shortly thereafter. However, recalled Trachtenberg, after five years, "I was looking for a change. Boxer Films is a production company first, and I just wanted to be at a place that was dedicated to post. It was a good coincidence: Yvette [Cobarrubias, Cosmo’s executive producer] called me at a time when I was just ready to start looking."
Cobarubbias had wanted to take on another editor: "I felt that my roster was in need of someone with the big effects, the highly stylized work that David does. I pride myself on having a very well-rounded rosterflI’m constantly looking to see what people are doing and who’s out there." Trachtenberg’s reel came to Cobarubbias’ attention in December. She told SHOOT, "We had been bidding a job against David [then at Boxer], and somehow his reel made its way to Cosmo. Katz, one of my editors, saw it, and immediately brought it to me. I loved it. It was what we had been looking for. It’s stylized, and has good timing, great spots. I got in touch with David, and as soon as I met him, I knew he was exactly what we wanted here"
Of his decision to leave Boxer, Trachtenberg stated, "I just realized it was time for me to try to expand my client base and the kinds of spots I was working on. I think Cosmo can offer that to me." He went on, "I enjoy the visual, effects-intensive work, though sometimes I like getting into the comedy spots. Those are a little more challenging for me, so I try to get my hands on those when I can."
Cosmo Street is expanding in other ways, too: Cobarrubias is close to hiring an executive producer and a producer for the firm’s planned New York branch, which she hopes will open in June. And, "in late October, we purchased the [digital video editing tool] Avid Xpress DV," said Cobarrubias. "Chan Hatcher is editing a digital video feature [The Meyersons, directed by Richard Sears, whose commercial roost is bicoastal HKM Productions]. It’s our first foray into the digital video world. Digital video editing is a new service we’re going to offer our clients, so we’re really excited about that."
Cosmo’s other editors are Marc Barreiro, Ellen Crocker, Hatcher, the mono-monikered Katz and Bob Mori. Leigh Shelly is Cosmo Street’s in-house national sales rep.
