The Departed-Martin Scorsese

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Thank you. Thank you so much. This is the third film you've given the Oscar to that was made by Martin Scorsese, and believe me I know I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him. You can understand what it was like to be given a film directed the way he directed this movie with a wonderful script by Bill Monahan, the fantastic panoply of actors who were just so magnificent. Working with Marty is quite something. It's tumultuous, passionate, funny and it's like being in the best film school in the world. I'm so grateful to you and to my two pillars in the editing room, Scott Brock, Joel Hirsch and Rob Legato and Ron Ames for putting their arms around us and doing the visual effects and supporting us throughout. And to you, members of the Academy. I feel very honored. Thank you so much.
Four answers to four questions you want to know
THELMA SCHOONMAKER

What were your childhood dreams/ambitions?
To become a diplomat. I was born abroad and loved living in a multi-cultural world as the child of two Americans posted to Algeria and then the island of Aruba. Moviemaking side-tracked me from this ambition.

What was your first big break?
Meeting Martin Scorsese at the New York University film school. I had enrolled in a six-week summer course, and Scorsese's film was incorrectly cut in the negative. I was the only person who knew how to fix it, and thus met the man who completely changed my life by making me an editor.

What was your most amusing moment working on this movie?
Listening to Alec Baldwin kibitzing with the other actors. They were having so much fun making the movie. Also listening to the frantic rat handler trying to divert a rat that was supposed to be nibbling on a croissant on the floor in front of Matt Damon, who has just been shot, from turning and making its way over to investigate the supposedly dead Matt. Finally the rat turned away and Matt looked up and grinned.

What was the hardest challenge/obstacle on the movie?
Combining a thriller with wonderful humor and character material that Scorsese and the writer and the actors had created. It was tempting to dwell on the character material, but we had to constantly be aware of the tension the film needed, because it was a thriller.

What was your most memorable moment working on this movie?
Seeing the film with a recruited audience in Chicago. These screenings are always nerve-wracking for filmmakers because the film isn't finished. But the audience in Chicago responded so strongly to the film, that we were elated afterwards. They seemed to just go with the movie from the beginning.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
That I am working with Scorsese on his personal view of the British cinema, which will include the films of my late husband Michael Powell and his partner Emerich Pressburger. Looking at so many British films has been fantastic and has made me prouder than ever to be a filmmaker.

ACADEMY AWARDS HISTORY

This is the sixth Academy Award nomination for Thelma Schoonmaker. She was previously nominated for:

THE AVIATOR (2004) -- Winner, Film Editing
GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002) -- Nominee, Film Editing
GOOD FELLAS (1990) -- Nominee, Film Editing
RAGING BULL (1980) -- Winner, Film Editing
WOODSTOCK (1970) -- Nominee, Film Editing
FILM SYNOPSIS
Unbeknowns to the Massachusetts state police department, crime boss Frank Costello has placed a mole in its ranks: cadet Colin Sullivan. The police succeed in infiltrating Costello's organization as well, however, providing a credible criminal background for undercover cadet Billy Costigan, who manages to gain Costello's trust.


A Trailer- The Departed