Graham Turner–whose award-winning editorial credits include Donate Life’s public service film “The World’s Biggest Asshole” (via The Martin Agency, directed by Speck and Gordon), which garnered assorted honors including 10 Cannes Lions in 2017–has joined bicoastal Union as editor/partner. Additional projects for Nike, Apple, HP, Motorola, Hyundai, Toyota, and more round out the editor's filmography. Prior to joining Union, Turner was at Cabin Editing Company.
“Union has a great reputation, established offices in multiple markets, and a foothold in long form projects,” Turner said. “Beyond all of that, I love the culture – good people who genuinely care about one another. It’s fantastic to be an addition.”
“We are always pushing to make ourselves stronger as a company and Graham’s work is some of the best in the world. I am really looking forward to opening new doors together in commercials and long form. It’s incredibly exciting to have him as a partner,” said Union partner/managing director Michael Raimondi, who presides over the company with partner/managing director Caryn Maclean, alongside executive producer Melissa Lubin in NY, and executive producer Vicki Russell in Austin.
As a high school sophomore in his native Salt Lake City, Turner took classes in filmmaking, and got hooked on post. “Everyone did everything,” he recalled, “but I always ended up as the editor.” After graduation, he moved to LA, and at 21, he started at Mad River Post as a receptionist. Turner worked in the vault, then as an assistant editor. He joined Final Cut, where he became a staff editor, his profile growing with projects like the K-Swiss Kenny Powers campaign, created via 72andSunny and directed by Jody Hill. Moving to Cut + Run, Turner won an AICE Award for Best Comedy Editing on Motorola’s “Lazy Phone” (directed by Speck and Gordon; created via Droga5). At Cabin, standout projects included World of Warcraft (directed by Rob McElhenney; created via 72andSunny), Nissan with Brie Larson (directed by David Leitch; created via TBWAChiatDayNY), and a continuing relationship with Speck and Gordon, including a Pepsi Super Bowl spot with Steve Carrell (via GS&P).
“I enjoy taking the time to craft a story and to collaborate with all the creative people who are drawn to the same thing,” Turner concluded. “In the larger picture, pacing out the stories, finding those emotional arcs, and nailing the joke are all about giving audiences a feeling of joy.”
The aforementioned, highly lauded, humorous Donate Life film promoted organ donation by introducing us to Coleman F. Sweeney, billed as the world’s biggest a-hole. Portrayed by actor Thomas Jane, Sweeney is mean, belligerent, crude and someone you would want no part of. His bad behavior is front and center in this piece. Yet when he dies, we finally see something redeeming about him–he had signed up to be an organ donor and we see the good that results as his various organs give a new lease on life to others. The film shows us how easy saving a life can be, pointing out that almost anyone can do it–even the world’s biggest a-hole. The fact is that one person can help save and heal more than 50 lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.
