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Politics of the Editing Room

Wherever human beings work together politics come into play. Even in rarefied environments such as Zen monasteries, ashrams, and other institutions dedicated to peace, harmony, and enlightenment, heavy politics abound. Look at Jonestown or the commune of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, the womanizing, Rolls Royce–collecting guru. For an ascetic or monk the discovery of politics may be particularly disturbing, since the life he or she has chosen is supposedly free of such worldly issues.

But in the film business, politics comes as no surprise. Working in an editing room can be like living on a submarine—a long journey in close quarters. It helps to be able to get along with others, and sometimes that includes ...

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