Michele Maples has joined Santa Monica-based editorial house Stuart Waks & Company (SW&Co.) as its executive producer. Previously, Maples freelanced as a visual effects producer and postproduction supervisor for features and commercials. Her resumé also includes a year-and-a-half stay at R!OT, Santa Monica, serving as executive producer for the post facility and then as a producer for the visual effects division.
SW&Co. principal and veteran spot editor Stuart Waks cited Maples’ "strong knowledge of postproduction and visual effects, creative instincts and hands-on experience" as adding "a valuable dimension to the company."
Her hiring represents a first step in a planned expansion. The shop intends to bring on a couple of established editors as well as an up-and-coming young cutter.
"Michele and I are focusing on growing the commercial business and are in the process of searching out the best talent," related Waks, who has been active in both spots and longform.
Waks helped cut the Oliver Stone-directed theatrical feature Any Given Sunday which was released in December 1999. The film centered on a fictional football team, with Al Pacino portraying its coach. The other editors on Any Given Sunday included Thomas J. Nordberg, Stuart Levy and commercial cutter Keith Salmon, who is at Santa Monica-based Hyena.
As earlier reported (SHOOT, 1/7/00, p. 7), Stone was initially drawn to Waks based on the editor’s commercial work, perhaps most notably Reebok’s "I’m Emmitt," a spot featuring Dallas Cowboys’ running back Emmitt Smith, via TBWA/Chiat/Day, Los Angeles. Stone was also favorably impressed by a Powerade spot, "Hurdler," which Waks cut for McCann-Erickson, Seattle.
Prior to Any Given Sunday, Waks had a taste of theatrical feature editing when he worked on several racing sequences for Days of Thunder, directed by Tony Scott, who helms commercials via RSA USA. Scott and Waks have additionally collaborated in the spot arena.
Waks and Stone have also worked together on commercials. After Any Given Sunday, Stone sought out Waks to cut spots for a Heineken campaign via Bates Hong Kong. "Working with Oliver Stone was an intense, challenging and very creative experience," said Waks, "and going back and forth between commercials and features is a dream come true."
But spots remain a prime focus for Waks. Among his latest endeavors are commercials for the Toyota Sienna and Gateway Computers, directed by Peggy Sirota of bicoastal HSI Productions.
