At one point, Barbara Tulliver had imagined herself in the theater world, having trained in stage lighting. She practiced her skills in summer stock and multiple off-Broadway shows. However, the editing suite beckoned rather unexpectedly, aligning perfectly with her critical skills acquired from her theater days. She started with commercials as an assistant editor, transitioned into films, and worked her way up, assisting in iconic films like David Mamet’s “House of Games” (1987) and Milos Forman’s “Valmont” (1989).
Barbara’s rise to prominence as an editor came when Trudy Ship, Mamet’s usual editor, wasn’t available for “Homicide” (1991). Already a familiar figure in Mamet’s team, Barbara was chosen to edit the film, kickstarting her career. She has since consistently worked on various films for the accomplished writer/director, like “Oleanna” (1994), “The Spanish Prisoner” (1997), “The Winslow Boy” (1999), and “State and Main” (2000), as well as the recent “Heist”. In 1997, she also worked on “Hard Eight” for Paul Thomas Anderson and is now working on M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs”, set to release in 2002.
In an interview, Phillip Williams asked if David Mamet’s method with editors had evolved since “Homicide”. Barbara responded that the transition was smooth. While she did have similarities with Trudy, her working dynamics with David developed its own shorthand. Their process often begins with Barbara providing her perspective on the dailies, leading to collaborative discussions.
She noted that David seldom uses storyboards. While they thoroughly discuss the script, David values feedback on potential cuts to avoid unnecessary shoots. Barbara also highlighted the unique challenges of editing different genres and styles, from the two-character play of “Oleanna” to the multifaceted “State and Main”. The overarching goal remains: to narrate the director’s story as envisioned.
Barbara Tulliver’s Filmography:
- “Heist” (2001)
- “State and Main” (2000)
- “Story of a Bad Boy” (1999)
- “The Winslow Boy” (1999)
- “The Spanish Prisoner” (1997)
- “Hard Eight” (1997)
- “Oleanna” (1994)
- “Where the Rivers Flow North” (1993)
- “Homicide” (1991)
- “Valmont” (1989)
- “Things Change” (1988)
- “Hello Again” (1987)
- “House of Games” (1987)
- “Places in the Heart” (1984)