Michael Kahn (film editor)
Encyclopedia
Michael Kahn is an American film editor. His credits range from TV's Hogan's Heroes
to feature films directed by George C. Scott
(The Savage is Loose
) and Steven Spielberg
, with whom he has had an extended, notable collaboration over more than thirty years.
Kahn is a member of the American Cinema Editors
(ACE). He is one of the few editors who still edits on film
(though he has edited digitally
on projects not directed by Spielberg). Kahn acknowledged "People find it hard to believe that Steven and I still edit film on a Moviola
and a KEM
. [But] Steven feels that film got us where we are today and he loves the smell of it and feel of it. We started that way and both really enjoy it." George Lucas
remarked "Michael Kahn can cut faster on a Moviola than anybody can cut on an Avid." . The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn became the first film Kahn edited digitally using Avid
for Spielberg though he has edited digitally before for projects like Twister.
for Best Film Editing, tied with Thelma Schoonmaker
, Daniel Mandell
, and Ralph Dawson
. All of the films for which he won Oscars were directed by Steven Spielberg
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
(1981), Schindler's List
(1993), and Saving Private Ryan
(1998).
He has also received six BAFTA nominations for Best Editing, winning two for Schindler's List and Fatal Attraction
.
In 2011, he became the recipient of the American Cinema Editors's Lifetime Career Achievement Award.
Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
to feature films directed by George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
(The Savage is Loose
The Savage is Loose
The Savage is Loose is a 1974 psychological melodrama that addresses incest within a small marooned family on a deserted island. It starred George C...
) and Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
, with whom he has had an extended, notable collaboration over more than thirty years.
Kahn is a member of the American Cinema Editors
American Cinema Editors
Founded in 1950, American Cinema Editors is an honorary society of film editors that are voted in based on the qualities of professional achievements, their education of others, and their dedication to editing itself. The society is not to be confused with an industry union, such as the I.A.T.S.E...
(ACE). He is one of the few editors who still edits on film
Film stock
Film stock is photographic film on which filmmaking of motion pictures are shot and reproduced. The equivalent in television production is video tape.-1889–1899:...
(though he has edited digitally
Non-linear editing system
In video, a non-linear editing system is a video editing or audio editing digital audio workstation system which can perform random access non-destructive editing on the source material...
on projects not directed by Spielberg). Kahn acknowledged "People find it hard to believe that Steven and I still edit film on a Moviola
Moviola
A Moviola is a device that allows a film editor to view film while editing. It was the first machine for motion picture editing when it was invented by Iwan Serrurier in 1924.-History:...
and a KEM
Flatbed editor
A flatbed editor is a type of machine used to edit film for a motion picture.Picture and sound rolls load onto separate motorized wheels, called "plates." Each set of plates moves forward or backward separately, or locked together to maintain synchronization between picture and sound...
. [But] Steven feels that film got us where we are today and he loves the smell of it and feel of it. We started that way and both really enjoy it." George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
remarked "Michael Kahn can cut faster on a Moviola than anybody can cut on an Avid." . The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn became the first film Kahn edited digitally using Avid
Media Composer
Media Composer, frequently referred to as "Avid", is a type of computer software application known as a Non-linear editing system . It is the flagship product of Avid Technology. It was released in 1989 on the Macintosh II as an offline editing system...
for Spielberg though he has edited digitally before for projects like Twister.
Awards
Kahn is the most-nominated editor in Academy Awards history with seven nominations. In addition Kahn holds the record for the most wins (three) in the category of the Academy AwardsAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Film Editing, tied with Thelma Schoonmaker
Thelma Schoonmaker
Thelma Schoonmaker is an American film editor who has worked with director Martin Scorsese for over forty years. She has edited all of Scorsese's films since Raging Bull...
, Daniel Mandell
Daniel Mandell
Daniel Mandell was an American film editor with more than 70 film credits. His career spanned films from The Turmoil in 1924 to The Fortune Cookie in 1966...
, and Ralph Dawson
Ralph Dawson
Ralph Dawson was a film editor who also did some acting, directing, and screenwriting...
. All of the films for which he won Oscars were directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise...
(1981), Schindler's List
Schindler's List
Schindler's List is a 1993 American film about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and based on the novel Schindler's Ark...
(1993), and Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
(1998).
He has also received six BAFTA nominations for Best Editing, winning two for Schindler's List and Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction is a 1987 American thriller blended with horror, directed by Adrian Lyne and stars Michael Douglas, Glenn Close and Anne Archer. The film centers around a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end, resulting in emotional blackmail, stalking...
.
In 2011, he became the recipient of the American Cinema Editors's Lifetime Career Achievement Award.