The Raddest People I Know section of my blog is to highlight some of the unique and talented people I know personally. This feature is all about Cathy Michel, an amazing South African woman, and one of the most positive people I’ve ever known. We met while she was living in Taiwan.
She returned back to Cape Town to study film editing, and is now working in the industry there. I recently did an interview with her detailing what she’s been up to in her career.
- Cathy, can you tell us a little about your average day as a film/video editor?
Everyday I juggle various projects to keep my mind and creativity alive.
Each day is different! That’s why I love this job. It’s so varied. One day I might be on a film set or a location shoot, and other days I’m in the studio, collaborating with the director of a project, or cutting by myself.
A lot goes into an edit. The process generally works like this:
- Discuss the theme/concept with the team
- Shoot
- Transcode footage (This is an in-depth topic haha!)
- Manage media
- Choose Audio, or discuss audio/soundtrack with the director or sound engineer.
- Work closely with sound to get the right edit feel
- Would you like to tell us about your work team? How long have you been working together? What kind of projects do you work on together? (Just music?)
- What are you working on right now?
There are three different teams that I work with regularly. My favorite is called Dirty Soul Productions. I love them cos they are funky, super creative, totally brilliant, fun-loving youngsters. They are the guys I do most of my music video edits for.
The Dirty Souls have become one of the most highly sought after music video production teams in South Africa, cos their videos win awards, and are cutting edge.
(*The Dirty Souls Production facebook page)
Just last week we finished a music video for Goodluck’s “Harlem”. It’s a positive outlook on township living in South Africa – putting aside hardships and just enjoying music and dance. An American vocalist collaborated on the song, but the video relates “Harlem” to a similar lifestyle of a settlement in South Africa.
Then finally, I work with another production crew called “Beat it”. They do documentaries on current national issues. For example, this month we’re working on a documentary for an international UN Conference taking place here right now on Global Warming. Maybe you’ve heard of it? “COP17”
- What was your favorite project? What did you like so much about it?
Hmmm, I have so many favourites. But the one video I had so much freedom and fun with was for Robots get the Girls “Plus 1”. It revived my childhood computer game fascination, and I just loved the whole 80’s retro pixilation. (*Ed – They just finished doing a new video for this group, I’ll post it when they do)
I also just worked on a feature film as one of 5 editors for “Safe House” starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Check out the trailer:
It was my first feature, so I cannot tell you the excitement and honour it was to work with greats like these!
- If you could work with any artist in the world, who would you most like to do a video for and why?
I’d really like to work with artists and musicians who ignited my passion for music videos. Forward thinkers, like Thom York, Bjork, Chris Cunningham. Yeah, that would be a total mind f*ck…
But also in totally different music genres – I want to explore all styles of music – which gives you the ability to experiment with completely contrasting aesthetics and editing styles…
It really doesn’t matter who they are or how well-known they are. I just like collaborating with creative people with awesome vision – who think outside the box, break the rules, and just have fun while creating magic.
- What upcoming projects are you working on?
Two exciting projects in the next few weeks!
First one is a music video for a top South African electro band called Goodluck. I think that you (as a fashionista) will totally love the concept! All I’m going to say for now is VINTAGE GLAM, baby!
Goodluck Facebook Page
The second one is a music video for a killer drum n bass act called Mix n Blend. The track is an eerie dubstep/jungle mix… And the editing for this one is going to be a real treat – manic, speedy cuts to off-rhythm beats… Also think you’ll love this one. It is being launched next week so I’ll send you the link as soon as its online 
Mix N Blend facebook page
(*Below is the promo video for their new releases with a short interview…)
From January I’m working with a production company called Mandelbrot Studios, on a magazine-style TV series, all about celebrity and designer weddings. I am the head editor, guiding a team of 4 other editors. The brand image is sophisticated and trendy, yet lively and punchy. Gorgeous presenters and stunning footage!
- Are there any aspects of editing and production work that you haven’t had a chance to try yet?
So many things I still want to try! I’ve just started getting my hands dirty with filming – my cinematographer friends are teaching me how to shoot on DSLR cameras like the 5D. 550D, D1, etc. I’m getting better, and its really fun! But editing is still my forte, haha.
Directing is also an avenue I’ll explore in the future – but for now, I’m still perfecting my field of editing, and I’m quite content with this J
- Have you noticed any upcoming trends in the music video industry?
It’s really hard to say, cos different genres all have such different video styles.
But I have noticed that the trend is the choice of digital cameras over film. Cameras like the RED and the EPIC have incredible quality and flawless finish! By shooting digital, there is far more opportunity for experimenting, since you can collect vast amounts of footage without having to worry about the cost of reels.
Cutting has becoming far more rhythmic, and there is a lot of experimenting with time-manipulation i.e high speed, speed ramping etc. But there is a lovely attention to aesthetics that I’m pleased to see – thought that goes into colour palette, costume and styling etc to create a visual concept or theme.
- What do you hope to change or do differently in your future projects?
I just want to improve and develop with each project. I want to be able to adapt my editing style according to the varying style and vision of each project, to synchronise with the director’s vision and the sound.
- The video for Flash Republic Killer Moves has got a real gritty underground feel to it. How did you and the artist work together to get that feel for the video?
That one was a pleasure to work on!
Firstly, the costume and styling of the Artist (lead singer) and the model was carefully selected in line with the visual “gritty” or grungy feel. The director collected a bunch of reference pictures and worked with the stylist to get that across on camera.
Secondly, the camera work – The DOP, Roscoe, did lots of steady cam/handheld shots with awkward, disorienting camera angles and movement. Most of the shots were high-speed (at 100 frames per second) giving me, the editor, the opportunity to speed ramp and time-remap shots, so that there is no quality loss.
Another little visual trick on the shoot was using a projector with images/x-rays, which was literally projected over the model in staged shots.
In the edit, I did a lot of single frame flashes on fast beats – eg of skulls/skeletons etc – really quick, so you just notice them without it becoming overkill.
Lastly, the visual effects artist, Blake, added dust and scratch particles and splotches and a dark grade to finish off the grittiness.
#2 – Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty -The master. need i say more?
#3 – Less is More – Minimalism in Fashion -The direction I’m moving in lately. You think it’s the easiest until you try to make it. Smooth clean lines are difficult to cut perfectly.
#4 – The Art of Manipulating Fabric - This book isn’t new, but I’ve wanted it for a long time because it’s awesome. I even went to Amazon and snooped on the pages inside and it is a gold mine of techniques with how tos. Not available at Eslite 
#5 – Subscription to Korean Vogue -I just bought this issue, loves it. FYI, every Dec. they package it with their Spring/Summer collection picks in a mini mag half the size of a regular one. It’s so worth the price. It fits in my purse and it’s my go-to guide. But I need a subscription cuz they are expensive.
#6 – Any of the Taipei In Style magazines. I do not mean the US InStyle, that is shit IMHO. This one has many issues detailing runway pictures divided into $1500NT books – Cut & Sew, Dresses, Shirts, Bottoms, Accessories, etc. I could not find ANYTHING on the internet with a photo. Next time I’m in there, I’ll snap a pic and update this. They also do Spring and Fall collections divided into major fashion week city categories – my most wanted being PARIS, of course. Of the previous, DRESSES.
#8 – The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, & Marketing (Excellent textbook and contains many things I need to know!)
