Tag: Gala

In 1988 Dean Balser, a longtime staff editor at CFTO-TV / Glen-Warren Productions in Toronto,  left his full time position to pursue a freelance career. At the time, Dean had a long-standing relationship with Grosso-Jacobson Entertainment in New York through their successful collaboration on the highly acclaimed series Night Heat, the first Canadian series to be broadcast on CBS. Producer Sonny Grosso and Dean created a strong bond, with Grosso hiring Dean on many series and MOW’s in subsequent years, even bringing Dean to New York for one project, clearly showing the faith and trust he had in Dean. Dean’s work was noticed by U.S. producers -Grosso and others – at a time when few American shows would edit in Toronto. He was a ‘go-to’ editor for CBS, NBC and ABC as they shot pilots here and required a steady hand. He was fortunate to be an editor for CBS, NBC and ABC as they shot pilots here.

Dean became acclaimed not only for his editing work, but also for his role as a friend and mentor to many in the industry. His work has been varied and always of the highest quality, ranging from the cop shows with Sonny Grosso, to drama and science fiction. Dean has also cut musical variety and comedy as well as various forms of documentary, doc-series and factual productions, displaying one of the most versatile voices in editing in Canada. He was at the forefront of the evolution of editing from film to digital, working on the most advanced editing platforms of the day, including being an early user of Avid systems.  Dean also served as 2nd Unit Director on various film and television projects.

Over those years Doug has earned the respect and friendship of many in the editing department as well as producers.  His leadership has put him at the forefront of in-demand Post Supervisors and is a model by which all in editing strive to achieve.

Doug started working in television while still a high school student in the shipping department of VTR Productions in Toronto where he would spend lunch hours in the back of the studio watching Jim Henson and the muppets shooting Fraggle Rock. Doug received a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Ryerson University in Toronto, and then a Masters from Syracuse University in New York.

Doug’s first post supervising job was on the TV series My Secret Identity, followed by four years on the seminal CBC drama Street Legal.  After spending more time in TV, Doug transitioned to Post Supervising features; his first 2 movies were for HBO Pictures which lead to his first theatrically released movie: Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream.  Over a dozen TV series and 28 Feature Films later he is still working as a Post Supervisor.

The list of editors Doug has worked with is long, but he would especially like to thank the editors who he worked with when he was first learning on the job.  Editors such as George Roulston, Ralph Brunjes, Susan Shipton, Ron Sanders, Don Cassidy and Dean Balser.  All of these editors shared their knowledge of the film business and the importance of editing to the film making process. 

Doug has recently taught post production seminars and participated on panels for Ryerson University, Humber College and Syracuse University.  A career highlight occurred last year when he attended the 90^th Academy Awards with the team from Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.