The above machine is a movieola, the ancient industry standard editing machine. I’m old enough to have actually learned to work one–it was on its last legs and flatbeds (remember them?) were already in use. Currently we’re editing on Final Cut Pro. I’m also old enough to remember when convincing the producers on my first feature to spring for an Avid instead of forcing us to cut on film seemed like a very progressive thing to do. (To their credit, they did even though they thought it a lavish request).

Below are three snippets of film from the Empire Diner night. In one you’ll see Rocco, Andy Garcia’s stand in, seated in Andy’s place for lighting. The second is of Andy in the same position and features a bizarre camera malfunction–I believe the film jammed which creates the rather pretty,yellowing effect at the end. Last is a piece of Emily laughing at something–for the life of me I can’t remember what (it was by then about four AM and at that hour everything’s either awful or funny.