Editor Cliff Birbrower has joined isis post, New York. Most recently, Birbrower freelanced, editing at both isis and bicoastal Crew Cuts. Prior to that he was with Cabana, New York.
While freelancing, Birbrower edited the PSAs "Beach," "Faces," "School" and "Swing" for the charity From Darkness to Light. The spots were co-created by the Charleston, S.C.-based child abuse prevention program’s executive director, Anne Lee, and Stewart Birbrower. The latter, former Young & Rubicam (Y&R), New York, creative director, is editor Cliff Birbrower’s father.
Some of the younger Birbrower’s credits include Colgate-Palmolive Irish Spring’s "Limerick" via Y&R, New York, and Phoenix Wealth Management’s "Secret Language of Men" via Emmerling Post Advertising (now Post & Partners), also New York, both of which he edited at Cabana.
Birbrower exited Cabana last August—around the time that Liberty Livewire, a subsidiary of Englewood, Colo.-based Liberty Media Corp., announced its purchase of all the stock in then-Cabana parent, Northvale, N.J.-headquartered Video Services Corp. (SHOOT, 8/25/00, p. 1).
After leaving Cabana, Birbrower was in no hurry to find a new home. As he explained to SHOOT, "I didn’t want to quickly get a job just because I was scaredflI wanted to make a long-term investment [in my career]."
Birbrower edited his first job as a freelancer at isis. Anticipating future assignments, he had contacted that shop after leaving Cabana. Recounted Birbrower, "I’ve known [isis editor] John Young socially for a couple of years. I called him and said, ‘I’m freelancing: If I get a job can I bring it down there?’ Young was agreeable, so Birbrower edited realtor yhd (your home direct). com’s "Your Home" via Lean Inc., New York, at isis. Birbrower liked isis, and, "was impressed with David Carrara. … an extremely competent executive producer. …" In early fall ’00, just as Birbrower was finishing cutting the spots, Carrara approached him about coming on staff. After discussion over the next several months, Birbrower joined isis.
"Ultimately, what drew me here is that isis is small, young, and totally progressive," said Birbrower, who appreciates the youth of isis and its editors. "I could be here for a long time. I welcome the chance to really build my career here," he said, "Everything is open platform, so we can embrace new technology [and update programs without dismantling the infrastructure.] That’s a problem at a lot of companies—equipment costs a lot of money, and you can’t just get rid of it when new stuff comes along."
Birbrower comes from a family of production industry professionals: Not only is his father a former ad executive and spot director, but his sister is an executive producer at Doner, Southfield, Mich. The younger Birbrower decided to continue that tradition, and at his father’s suggestion took a film class at the University of Southern California (USC), in the summer of ’88. He liked the course, but especially enjoyed the editorial process. After graduating from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in ’92, Birbrower joined the now defunct Dennis Hayes & Associates as a messenger, soon becoming an apprentice, and later an assistant editor. He left the shop in ’98 to freelance, joining Cabana in ’99.
Currently, Birbrower is editing an independent film by Nikhil Kamkolkar, tentatively titled Dreams & Schemes. He also edited the feature The Bookie’s Lament (’00), directed by John Postley; the short Midnight Gospel, directed by Melany Kahn; and the eight-minute documentary Birdman of JFK, helmed by George Billard. Birbrower is unabashedly romantic in his approach to editing: "To me, everything is about emotion," he declared. He mentioned Vicks VapoRub’s "Remember" via D’Arcy, New York, and Citracal’s "Swimmer" via MD Communications, also New York, both done by him at Cabana, as examples of the work he likes to edit. Enthused Birbrower, "They’re both products that are not emotional in and of themselves, but we’ve been able to attach an emotional element to the spots."
The seeds for Birbrower’s new roost were planted when co-owners Carrara and Etienne Sauret founded Isis Films in ’95, concentrating on long-format work. In ’97 isis post was born, and with it a new emphasis on spots, which today comprise about 75 percent of the company’s work. Currently Isis Films exists for several projects in development.
Considering isis’ recent expansion to larger digs last June, Carrara noted, "There’s still some room here. We’re not looking for a fourth editor now, but I can see us adding one later in the year. We don’t want to get too big."
Isis post’s other editors are John Young and John Laskas. Carrara also serves as national sales rep.
