This week’s episode of The Road to Cinema Podcast features a conversation with Oscar nominated editor Billy Weber. We discuss his work with directors Terrence Malick, Warren Beatty, Martin Brest, and Tony Scott. Among the films we discuss: “Days of Heaven”, “The Thin Red Line”, “The Tree of Life”, “Bulworth”, “Beverly Hills Cop”, “Midnight Run”, “Gigli”, and “Top Gun”.
Weber discusses his collaboration with director Terrence Malick on “Days of Heaven”. We’ll delve into how Malick and Weber decided to use voice-over as a narrative tool and the development of composer Ennio Morricone’s powerful music score. Weber also discusses how the “Days of Heaven” process had an influence on many of Malick’s proceeding films, most notably “The Thin Red Line” and “The Tree of Life”.
This sequence from “Days of Heaven” conveys the cinematic style of Malick through voice-over, montage, and Ennio Morricone’s music score.
We go into Weber’s collaboration with director, screenwriter, and actor Warren Beatty on the irreverent political satire “Bulworth”. It’s the story of a suicidal California senator who has a crisis of conscience during his campaign which leads him to do what no politician has ever done before; tell the truth. Not only does Senator Bulworth emanate the honesty of his constituents, he conveys the struggles on the streets of Los Angeles through inventive rap lyrics. Yes, Warren Beatty raps throughout the film and it’s absolutely hilarious. The screenplay received an Oscar nomination for “Best Original Screenplay” at the 1999 Academy Awards ceremony for both Beatty and co-writer Jeremy Pikser. Weber is currently editing the “Untitled Warren Beatty Project” which is Beatty’s first film since “Bulworth” as a director, screenwriter, producer, and actor.
Watch the trailer for the groundbreaking political satire “Bulworth” which also features actress Halle Berry.
If you are curious about the reclusive Oscar nominated director Martin Brest, Weber discusses his editing collaboration with Brest on “Beverly Hills Cop”, “Midnight Run”, and “Gigli”. We’ll discuss how Martin Brest’s use of improvisation boosted the comedy and the performances of Eddie Murphy and the ensemble cast of “Beverly Hills Cop”. Also, how “Midnight Run” has become a cult classic due to the impeccable chemistry of Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. We’ll also discuss the infamous “Gigli” which is the only film Martin Brest has directed since its release in 2003.
Watch the trailer for director Martin Brest’s cult classic “Midnight Run.” Robert De Niro plays a bounty hunter out to transport the straight laced mob accountant played by Charles Grodin.
We discuss Weber’s work with the late director Tony Scott. Weber received an Oscar nomination at the 1987 Academy Awards ceremony for editing this dynamic air force romp starring Tom Cruise. We’ll go into the difficulty of filming the fighter pilot flying sequences from “Top Gun” and how action scenes can be edited with more imaginative liberty than intimate dramatic moments.
Director Tony Scott and actor Tom Cruise on the set of “Top Gun” for which editor Billy Weber earned an Oscar nomination.
Learn more about the creation of the “Top Gun” flying sequences on The Road to Cinema Podcast.
Take a listen to episode #19 of The Road to Cinema Podcast featuring Oscar nominated editor Billy Weber. Subscribe to The Road to Cinema Podcast on iTunes. You can follow us on Twitter @JogRoad for the latest updates.