YIELD TO TOTAL ELATION explores the life and work of the enigmatic and visionary artist Achilles G. Rizzoli. A mundane architectural draftsman by day, the architectural transcriber of the divine by night, Rizzoli created elaborate Beaux-Arts influenced monuments which would never be built. Accompanied by his witty and poignant commentary, the drawings served as translations for the voices and the hallucinations that haunted him. By deftly weaving Rizzoli’s words, archival footage, photos and evocative present day scenes of San Francisco’s historic architecture, the film tells the story of Rizzoli’s life and his work — an exaltation of architecture as pleasure, as memorial, as redemption.
I had the great fortune to edit three documentaries at KRON in San Francisco. The whole film is now online thanks to the Bay Area Television Archive…watch here.
Northern California Emmy Award for Outstanding Editing
This film changed the world when it was released in 1996. The first film to give adults, including teachers, practical lessons on how to talk with kids about gays, lesbians and prejudice.
The second documentary I ever edited was a 3 hour long Frontline; an examination of race in America through the story of a tumultuous year at Berkeley High School. Boy was I lucky to be on this team! I co-edited with lead editor Ken Schneider. Learned a LOT! I don’t have a trailer for this film but you can watch it online HERE.
Editors: Ken Schneider & Shirley Thompson
Director: Scott Andrews
Producers: Scott Andrews, Stephen Olsson, Inez Robinson-Odom
In 1990 I wanted to become a documentary editor, but no one would hire me because I only had television and corporate credits. So I directed and edited a film so that I would have a work sample to show. And it worked! This film launched my documentary editing career, won my first Emmy and landed me in the amazing New Day Films collective. Changed my life. A sweet film featuring my dear friend for 30 years now Jana Napoli and the talented young artists of YA/YA, Inc.
