In 1964, editor Fred Heinrich broke into the spot business at John Urie & Associates, a pioneering Los Angeles studio which helped start numerous filmmaking careers over the years.
Fast-forward to the early 1990s and Heinrich decided to conclude his distinguished career as an editor. He embarked upon a new path, teaming with his wife, producer Stephania Lipner, to launch a career spawning ground which has gone on to transcend any single studio. In response to the racial unrest, violence and destruction of the Rodney King riots in L.A. in ’92, Heinrich and Lipner decided to do something that would make a positive difference in the lives of youngsters who might not otherwise get the chance to be part of the film community.
That “something” turned out to be Inner-City Filmmakers (ICF), which since ’93 has provided free-of-charge training and hands-on experience in different aspects of filmmaking to numerous graduates of varied ethnic backgrounds and from financially disadvantaged families. The program has also helped secure paid entry-level jobs for many grads.
Indeed, the grass-roots brainchild of Heinrich and Lipner made–and continues to make–its mark, improving the lives of and career prospects for deserving high school students. Assorted ICF grads are now full fledged professionals in the industry.
Heinrich recalled that the purpose of ICF hit home for him during its first year, when students from Bell High School in Bell, Calif., brought in their school video yearbook, which included five obituaries.
“That underscored the fact that we need to help create some opportunities for underprivileged young people in the inner city,” affirmed Heinrich.
Based both on his work as an editor and ICF, Heinrich was at press time slated for induction into the Association of Independent Creative Editors (AICE) Hall of Fame during this week’s AICE Awards ceremony.
Heinrich has seen the industry evolve during his career–from Movieolas to computer-based nonlinear editing, from the days when commercial production companies maintained edit houses to the emergence of editorial boutiques. (He for example was an in-house editor at the legendary commercial production company FilmFair and then went on in 1973 to form his own entrepreneurial venture, the mainstay editorial firm Wildwood in Hollywood where he turned out notable work, including the long running Well Fargo”Stagecoach” campaign out of McCann Erickson, San Francisco.)
But the biggest evolution was a personal one as the successful editor embarked on a new career chapter some 16 years ago, closing Wildwood and dedicating himself to ICF. His retirement from editing hardly means he’s retired. “Stephania and I work 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week,” related Heinrich. “Inner-City Filmmakers has become a full-time passion.”
Heinrich noted that while a rousing success, ICF still needs help in terms of contributors, professionals and companies who will provide opportunities for qualified grads to get their foot in the industry door. He and Lipner urge those interested to call ICF at (310) 264-3992 and/or to log onto www.innercityfilmmakers.com.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More