The Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) honored film editor Carol Littleton, A.C.E., with its Fellowship and Service Award at its annual Board of Directors Installation Dinner on January 9, 2010. Long-time collaborator, director Lawrence Kasdan, presented the award to her. The duo has worked together on eight films including “Body Heat” and “The Big Chill,” among others.
The Fellowship and Service Award was established four years ago by the Guild to recognize an individual who has demonstrated professionalism, collaboration, mentorship, generosity of spirit and a commitment to the labor movement. Previous recipients of this distinguished honor include Donn Cambern, A.C.E.; Dede Allen, A.C.E.; and IATSE International President Emeritus Thomas C. Short. The invitation only event was held at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.
“Carol embodies all of the qualities that represent why this award was created,” stated Lisa Zeno Churgin, President of the Motion Picture Editors Guild. On a more personal note, Churgin added, “Having the privilege of informing Carol of her nomination was of great significance to me; she was one of my greatest mentors, and I can personally attest that her professional attributes make her the perfect recipient for this uniquely designed award.”
When Littleton decided to run for President of the Editors Guild in 1987, she gathered a group of like-minded members to run with her and, after an overwhelming victory, seized that mandate and altered the direction of the Guild in a way that remains to this day. Qualified editors could more easily join. The path was set for a national post-production local, technology was embraced โโ not resisted โโ and a culture of cooperation, civility and inclusion was established.
Littleton served as President of the Motion Picture Editors Guild from 1988 to 1991, Editor Representative from 1992 to 1993, and Vice President from 1994 to 2001 โโ and again from 2005 to 2007. In addition, generosity and mentorship has always been a part of her nature. She mentored many young editors, among them Lisa Churgin, the current Guild President. Littleton further served the industry as a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and likewise served on the Board of Directors for the American Cinema Editors (A.C.E.).
Littleton is one of Hollywood’s most respected film editors, with a career that spans more than three decades. She has edited over 30 feature films and has received an Emmy Award, as well as nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, BAFTA, and the American Cinema Editors. In 1980, she began a close collaboration with writer-director Lawrence Kasdan on his directorial debut, Body Heat, and has continued her collaboration with Kasdan on seven more films, including The Big Chill, Silverado and Grand Canyon. She has collaborated also with director Jonathan Demme on five films, including his latest documentary, Bob Marley: Stay with the Rhythm. Littleton is currently editing The Rum Diary, written and directed by Bruce Robinson.
A native of Miami, Oklahoma, Littleton graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma, whose College of Arts and Sciences honored her 30 years after graduation with the Distinguished Alumnae Award. She was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Paris.
Besides film, Littleton has two other passions in life: music and nature. Throughout her college years, she played oboe in various chamber groups and orchestras and still has an abiding love of concert music. She also enjoys gardening and hiking as antidotes for the dark editing room.
ABOUT THE MOTION PICTURE EDITORS GUILD
The Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) is a national labor organization currently representing over 6,400 freelance and staff post-production professionals. MPEG is the world’s premiere craft Guild that sets the standards for excellence in the post-production industry. The requirements to become a member of the Guild and placed on its Industry Experience Roster ensures the highest level of professionalism.
As Local 700 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), an international union over 100 years old, MPEG is allied with some 500 affiliated locals in the United States and Canada with a combined membership of more than 104,000. This strength increases its collective power at the bargaining table and results in better contracts with superior benefits.
MPEG negotiates new collective bargaining agreements (union contracts), enforces existing agreements with employers involved in post-production and provides assistance for securing better conditionsโโincluding but not limited to financial (better pay), medical (better health insurance), safety (turnaround time) and artistic (assignment of credit) concerns.
