NEW YORK—A man who inspired the creation of the Association of Independent Creative Editors (AICE) Hall of Fame will himself be inducted on May 24, 2005 in New York. That industry leader is Arthur Williams, whose career spanned more than four decades and involved cutting classic advertising ("I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke"), pioneering new technologies (HD post workflows), founding one of the industry’s most influential post houses (The Tapehouse) and working tirelessly for the good of the editorial community as a member of AICE.
"The decision was unanimous," said New York chapter president Bernadette Quinn, who is chairing the ’05 awards and is general manager at New York-based Moondog. "He has been an integral part of AICE. He was one of the persons who founded the Hall of Fame and the award show. He is passionate about the industry, [even in retirement], and he has always worked so hard to elevate the craft and editors in general."
Still, Williams was surprised when he received the news. "I am thrilled and overwhelmed," he said. With his enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to the industry, Williams served as New York president of AICE from ’90 to ’92, and spent more than a decade on its board of directors. He chaired the first AICE Editors Hall of Fame event in ’94, when it was a New York chapter activity. After the AICE began operating as a national association in the late ’90s, Williams again stepped up to the plate in ’01 and chaired the first AICE Awards, a national awards presentation that also includes the Hall of Fame ceremony.
"I thought it was very important to highlight what editors do … and to elevate the art form," Williams said. "I always felt that the editor was a very pivotal force in the creativity of commercials, but never gets the recognition that is due."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Fresh out of college, Williams came to New York in ’58 to pursue an acting career (he appeared in several off-Broadway productions). But after doing some entry-level work at CBS, he discovered the craft of editing. He became an apprentice editor with Ken Kofod of now defunct Kenco, whom Williams described fondly as his mentor. Another person Williams credits for having a profound impact on his career is Phil Messina, who introduced him to EUE Screen Gems, New York, where Williams got his first job as an editor. Messina, while a producer at McCann-Erickson, New York, also brought Williams in to cut a spot that would go down in advertising history: Coca-Cola’s "I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke."
Williams founded Editing Concepts in ’70 (it was sold in ’03), and went on to build a partnership with Mark Polyocan that stood the test of time. The duo expanded the business to include The Tapehouse family of companies. The Tapehouse was one of New York’s most influential post houses, and during its decades in operation, pioneered innovations including high-definition postproduction.
As he looked back, Williams realized that he could not possibly thank everyone who had impacted his professional life. "I’m so indebted to so many people for my career," he said. "I wish there was a way to thank them all."
Williams learned his craft on a Moviola and has seen the tools evolve over the years, but he asserted that the skill set doesn’t change—it is about telling a story and selling a product. He noted that with today’s technology, editors are also taking on some of the tasks and roles of others like sound designers and art directors. "I think that editors today are also becoming technicians, and I hope that they don’t lose sight of the creative aspect," he remarked.
To Williams, the AICE honor is only a continuation of his journey in the industry and with AICE. In retirement, he has been working with Quinn to establish a new screening event called "Beyond the Spots," which would give commercial editors a venue in which to show longform projects that they complete. "Because of their major talent, [commercial editors] are working on longform things, like documentaries and features," he said. "My vision is to put together a program that will show the editor in a longer format."
Williams is also working with the Miami post community to form a local AICE chapter, and recently ran Miami’s first AICE meeting. "I love it," he said of the association. "It gives members a grounding and a sense of belonging. It’s not a union—it’s a brotherhood. We solve problems and we try to enhance the vision of what an editor is. That is the real mission of AICE."
