Difference between revisions of "Diana Ginsburg"

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[[Diana Ginsburg]] is a South African, later American, editor, film maker,
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[[Diana Ginsburg]] is a South African born, later American, editor, film maker,
 
author and photographer.
 
author and photographer.
 
'''THIS ARTICLE BEING EDITED AT PRESENT'''
 
  
 
Also known by her married name, '''[[Diana Friedberg]]'''.
 
Also known by her married name, '''[[Diana Friedberg]]'''.
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==Biography==
 
==Biography==
  
Has a BA in Drama from the [[University of Cape Town Drama Department]] (1967) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California (1976).
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She obtained a BA in Drama from the [[University of Cape Town Drama Department]] (1967) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California (1976).
 
 
Co-author, with Lori-Jane Coleman of the books ''Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV'' (2010). [http://www.amazon.com/Make-Cut-Becoming-Successful-Assistant/dp/0240813987] and ''Jump Cut. How to Jump Start your Career as a Film Editor''.
 
  
 
She started out as an editor and director in South Africa (see the next section below) then relocated to Hollywood with her husband and family in 1986. With an MFA from USC in film production Friedberg has edited and produced features, episodic television, animation series and non-fiction productions for companies as diverse as Disney, National Geographic, The History Channel, A&E, Discovery, NBC, USA, Stephen J. Cannell, and Leonard Nimoy Productions.  
 
She started out as an editor and director in South Africa (see the next section below) then relocated to Hollywood with her husband and family in 1986. With an MFA from USC in film production Friedberg has edited and produced features, episodic television, animation series and non-fiction productions for companies as diverse as Disney, National Geographic, The History Channel, A&E, Discovery, NBC, USA, Stephen J. Cannell, and Leonard Nimoy Productions.  
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In 1969 she worked as an Editing Intern for Universal Pictures MOW on John Blackburn’s 1962 thriller novel ''The Gaunt Woman'' (adapted into a television film called ''Destiny of a Spy'', directed by Boris Sagal, starring Rachel Roberts and Lorne Greene, at Pinewood Studios, London, 1969).[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064229/fullcredits/]   
 
In 1969 she worked as an Editing Intern for Universal Pictures MOW on John Blackburn’s 1962 thriller novel ''The Gaunt Woman'' (adapted into a television film called ''Destiny of a Spy'', directed by Boris Sagal, starring Rachel Roberts and Lorne Greene, at Pinewood Studios, London, 1969).[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064229/fullcredits/]   
  
On her return to South Africa she became an Assistant Editor, Script Supervisor and  and Editor, with companies like [[Cavalier Films]], [[Capital Films]], [[C-Films]] and [[Bevil Films]].  
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On her return to South Africa she became an assistant editor, script supervisor and  and editor, with companies like [[Cavalier Films]], [[Capital Films]], [[C-Films]] and [[Bevil Films]].  
  
 
[[Afrikaans]] and English feature films edited in the period 1970-1974 include: ''[[Crazy People]]'', ''[[Abashokobezi]]'', ''[[Pens En Pootjies]]'', ''[[The Virgin Goddess]]'', ''[[House Of The Living Dead]]'', ''[[Die Spook Van Donkergat]]'' (which she also directed), ''[[My Broer Se Bril]]'', ''[[Die Lewe Sonder Jou]]'', ''[[Zebra]]'', ''[[A New Life]]'', ''[[Vicki]]'', ''[[Gold Squad]]'', ''[[Die Drie Van Der Merwes]]'', ''[[Sien Jou Môre]]''.
 
[[Afrikaans]] and English feature films edited in the period 1970-1974 include: ''[[Crazy People]]'', ''[[Abashokobezi]]'', ''[[Pens En Pootjies]]'', ''[[The Virgin Goddess]]'', ''[[House Of The Living Dead]]'', ''[[Die Spook Van Donkergat]]'' (which she also directed), ''[[My Broer Se Bril]]'', ''[[Die Lewe Sonder Jou]]'', ''[[Zebra]]'', ''[[A New Life]]'', ''[[Vicki]]'', ''[[Gold Squad]]'', ''[[Die Drie Van Der Merwes]]'', ''[[Sien Jou Môre]]''.
 +
 +
Besides her editing activities she also taught and wrote about editing. Among her publications are ''Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV'' (2010)[http://www.amazon.com/Make-Cut-Becoming-Successful-Assistant/dp/0240813987] and ''Jump Cut. How to Jump Start your Career as a Film Editor'' (2016)[https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315535418/jump%E2%80%A2cut-lori-jane-coleman-diana-friedberg], co-authored with Lori-Jane Coleman.
  
 
===Producing and directing career===
 
===Producing and directing career===
  
She moved from editing to directing as an assistant director and supervising editor on ''[[Abashokobezi]]'' for [[C Films]] and then became one of first women in South Africa to direct a feature film when she did [[Die Spook van Donkergat]] for [[Capital Films]] (1973).  
+
She moved from editing only to directing and editing when she served as an assistant director and supervising editor on ''[[Abashokobezi]]'' for [[C Films]] and then became one of first women in South Africa to direct a feature film when she did ''[[Die Spook van Donkergat]]'' for [[Capital Films]] (1973).  
  
From 1982-1986 she produced/directed more than documentaries a nd Dramatic Tv Shows (1982-1986)
+
From there she would go on to produce, direct, and/or edit more than '''40''' South African documentaries, dramatic TV shows and -series to between 1977 and 1986.
Documentaries And Dramatic Tv Shows (1982-1986)
 
Editor/Producer
 
Legacy – 6 X 30-Minute Shows Portraying The History Of The Jewish People In South Africa And The Social, Political And Economic Contribution Of This Minority Group To The Cultural Life Of South Africa. Astranova Films /Sabc (South African Broadcasting Corporation).
 
Across The Rubicon – Astranova Films/Pbs 90-Minute Docudrama.
 
Performers Of The Dawn – 2 X 1-Hour Documentaries Featuring Colored People Who Were Part Of The Eoan Group, The Earliest Performing Arts Cultural Group Involved In The Production Of Opera In South Africa. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
Hot Snow – 1-Hour Drama. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
Art And About – 13 X 13-Minute Shows Featuring Young People Involved In The Fine And Performing Arts. Sabc’s Contribution To The International Year Of Youth. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
From Barter To Banknote – 2 X Half-Hour Shows Dealing With The History Of Money With Reference To South Africa. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
A Delicate Balance – 6 X 30-Minute Shows Examining The World’s Environmental Problems And The Devastating Impact On South Africa. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
Half A Century Skywards – 30-Minute Film Celebrating 50 Years Of Civil Aviation In South Africa. Astranova Films/Sabc.
 
50 Years Of The Flying Springbok – 20-Minute Film Commemorating The 50th Anniversary Of South African Airways. Astranova Films. Released Internationally And As An Inflight Show.
 
On The First Day Of February – 20-Minute Film Covering The Events And Festivities During The 1984 Anniversary Celebrations Of Saa. Astranova Films/South African Airways.
 
Portrait Of Hout Bay – 30-Minute Documentary Investigating The History, Character And Lifestyle Of One Of South Africa’s Oldest Fishing Communities. Astranova Films/Corporate.
 
Editor
 
Jantjie -Television Feature – Dramatic Love Story About A Young Colored Man’s Affections For A Childhood Friend Played Against A Backdrop Of Racial Tension And The Border War In Namibia. Sabc.
 
Itreyni (The Train) 11 X 30-Minute Dramatic Series. The Story Of A Train Conductor And His Adventures During The Course Of Duty. C Films/Sabc.
 
Isihogo Sisemhlabeni (Hell On Earth) 1-Hour Dramatic Film. A Firefighter Suffers From Amnesia As A Result Of Serious Burns. He Has To Make A New Life For Himself. C Films/Sabc.
 
        Awards And Recognition:
 
        Winner Of Tonight Award.
 
Mrs Dumbleby  2 – 13 X 7minute Animation Programs For Young Children. C Films/Sabc.
 
African Fireside Tales – 13 X 13 Puppet Animation Series Based On African Legends. C Films/Sabc.
 
Mrs Dumbleby – Series Of 13 X 7 Animation Programs For Young Children. C Films/Sabc.
 
Coast Watch – 30-Minute Documentary Examining South Africa’s Fishing Industry. C Films/Sabc.
 
The Cape Malays – 60-Minute Documentary Examining The History Of The Muslim Community In The Cape. C Films/Sabc.
 
The Sorcerer – 39 X 13 Min Animation Programs Featuring Electronic Puppets. African Fireside Tales And Legends. C Films/Sabc (African Language).
 
Maberone – 7 X 13 Min Dramatic Love Stories Playing Out In An Ancient African Tribal Setting. (African Language) C Films/Sabc.
 
Dr Kleiman (Clayman) – Series Of 13 X 5 Min Clay Animation Series C Film/ Sabc.
 
Intergalaxy – Series Of 26 X 26-Minute Computerized Puppet Animation Series C Films/Sabc.
 
Maripane – Series Of 13 X 13-Minute Dramatic Love Story Set In Tribal Africa. C Films/Sabc (African Language).
 
        Awards And Recognition:
 
        Tonight Award For Best Drama Series
 
Space Cadets – Series Of 13 X 26-Minute Computerized Puppet Animation Series. C Films/Sabc (African Language)
 
Sewer Rats – Series Of 13 X 26-Minute Dramatic Series. C Films/Sabc.
 
Parent And Child – Series Of 13 X 13-Minute Educational Programs. C Films/Sabc.
 
Thabure – Series Of 26 X 26-Minute Adventure Dramas. C Films/Sabc (African Language).
 
The Unbroken Thread – 40-Minute Documenting The History Of Cotton And A Current Investigation Into The Cotton Industry In South Africa. Corporate.
 
Putco Buses – 40-Minute Examination Of The Bus Services In Johannesburg. Corporate.
 
Fairest Cape – Documentary Overview Of The Scenic Attractions Of The Cape Peninsula. Sabc.
 
Then Came The English – 3 X 60-Minute Episodes. An In-Depth Examination Of The History Of The English-Speaking Peoples Of Southern Africa. The Series Traces The Story Of Their Development, Set Against The Background Of Britain’s Colonial Role And Presence In The Sub-Continent. Ifc Films/Sabc.
 
        Awards And Recognition:
 
        Tonight Awards For Best Director, Best Presenter And Best T.V. Documentary Series.
 
They Came From The East – Series Of 6 X 26-Minute Series Looking At South Africa’s Indian Community, Their History, Religions And Cultural Affairs Including Mahatma Gandhi’s Early Years In Natal. Ifc/Sabc.
 
  
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Among them were:
  
''[[Marigolds In August]]'', ''[[Winners 2]]'', ''[[Follow That Rainbow]]'', ''[[[[Makoma]]]]'', ''[[Their Frontier, The Sea]]'', ''[[They Came From The East]]''
+
''[[Marigolds In August]]'', ''[[Winners 2]]'', ''[[Follow That Rainbow]]'', ''[[Makoma]]'', ''[[Their Frontier, The Sea]]'', ''[[They Came From The East]]'', ''[[Then Came The English]]'', ''[[Fairest Cape]]'', ''[[Putco Buses]]'', ''[[The Unbroken Thread]]'', ''[[Thabure]]'', ''[[Sewer Rats]]'', ''[[Parent And Child]]'', ''[[Space Cadets]]'', ''[[Maripane]]'', ''[[Intergalaxy]]'', ''[[Dr Kleiman]]'', ''[[Maberone]]'', ''[[The Sorcerer]]'', ''[[The Cape Malays]]'', ''[[Coast Watch]]'', ''[[Mrs Dumbleby]]'', ''[[African Fireside Tales]]'', ''[[Mrs Dumbleby  2]]'', ''[[Isihogo Sisemhlabeni]]'', ''[[Itreyni]]'', ''[[Jantjie]]'', ''[[Portrait Of Hout Bay]]'', ''[[Half A Century Skywards]]'' to celebrate 50 Years of Civil Aviation in South Africa and the 50th Anniversary of South African Airways,  ''[[From Barter to Banknote]]'' (two Half-hour shows on the history of money), ''[[A Delicate Balance]]'' (six 30-Minute shows about the world’s environmental problems and the devastating impact it has on South Africa), ''[[Art and About]]'' (13 13-miute episodes), ''[[Performers Of The Dawn]]'' (about the [[EOAN]] group),  ''[[Legacy ]]'' (about the history and impact of the Jewish People in South Africa) , etc.
  
  
Her other South African feature films include: 
+
''For a more complete listing of all her South African and international work, see https://dianafriedberg.com/about/''
 
 
 
 
 
 
''For a listing of all her South African and international work, see https://dianafriedberg.com/about/''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064229/fullcredits/
 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064229/fullcredits/
 +
 +
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315535418/jump%E2%80%A2cut-lori-jane-coleman-diana-friedberg
  
 
==Return to==
 
==Return to==

Latest revision as of 06:53, 29 August 2026

Diana Ginsburg is a South African born, later American, editor, film maker, author and photographer.

Also known by her married name, Diana Friedberg.

Biography

She obtained a BA in Drama from the University of Cape Town Drama Department (1967) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California (1976).

She started out as an editor and director in South Africa (see the next section below) then relocated to Hollywood with her husband and family in 1986. With an MFA from USC in film production Friedberg has edited and produced features, episodic television, animation series and non-fiction productions for companies as diverse as Disney, National Geographic, The History Channel, A&E, Discovery, NBC, USA, Stephen J. Cannell, and Leonard Nimoy Productions.

Married to Lionel Friedberg, she also uses her married name, Diana Friedberg, on occasion.

Contributions to South African theatre, film, media and performance

Editing career

She started working in Cape Town as an Assistant Editor for AKA Productions (doing commercials) (1967 -1968) and similar work as assistant editor with internationally acclaimed director Ashley Lazarus for Audio Kine Africa in 1968 (their clients including the cigarette companies Peter Stuyvesant, Rothmans, Dunhill and Lexington).

In 1969 she worked as an Editing Intern for Universal Pictures MOW on John Blackburn’s 1962 thriller novel The Gaunt Woman (adapted into a television film called Destiny of a Spy, directed by Boris Sagal, starring Rachel Roberts and Lorne Greene, at Pinewood Studios, London, 1969).[1]

On her return to South Africa she became an assistant editor, script supervisor and and editor, with companies like Cavalier Films, Capital Films, C-Films and Bevil Films.

Afrikaans and English feature films edited in the period 1970-1974 include: Crazy People, Abashokobezi, Pens En Pootjies, The Virgin Goddess, House Of The Living Dead, Die Spook Van Donkergat (which she also directed), My Broer Se Bril, Die Lewe Sonder Jou, Zebra, A New Life, Vicki, Gold Squad, Die Drie Van Der Merwes, Sien Jou Môre.

Besides her editing activities she also taught and wrote about editing. Among her publications are Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV (2010)[2] and Jump Cut. How to Jump Start your Career as a Film Editor (2016)[3], co-authored with Lori-Jane Coleman.

Producing and directing career

She moved from editing only to directing and editing when she served as an assistant director and supervising editor on Abashokobezi for C Films and then became one of first women in South Africa to direct a feature film when she did Die Spook van Donkergat for Capital Films (1973).

From there she would go on to produce, direct, and/or edit more than 40 South African documentaries, dramatic TV shows and -series to between 1977 and 1986.

Among them were:

Marigolds In August, Winners 2, Follow That Rainbow, Makoma, Their Frontier, The Sea, They Came From The East, Then Came The English, Fairest Cape, Putco Buses, The Unbroken Thread, Thabure, Sewer Rats, Parent And Child, Space Cadets, Maripane, Intergalaxy, Dr Kleiman, Maberone, The Sorcerer, The Cape Malays, Coast Watch, Mrs Dumbleby, African Fireside Tales, Mrs Dumbleby 2, Isihogo Sisemhlabeni, Itreyni, Jantjie, Portrait Of Hout Bay, Half A Century Skywards to celebrate 50 Years of Civil Aviation in South Africa and the 50th Anniversary of South African Airways, From Barter to Banknote (two Half-hour shows on the history of money), A Delicate Balance (six 30-Minute shows about the world’s environmental problems and the devastating impact it has on South Africa), Art and About (13 13-miute episodes), Performers Of The Dawn (about the EOAN group), Legacy (about the history and impact of the Jewish People in South Africa) , etc.


For a more complete listing of all her South African and international work, see https://dianafriedberg.com/about/

Sources

https://dianafriedberg.com/about/

http://www.worldonastringproject.com/about_diana.php

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2034659/

https://dianafriedberg.com/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064229/fullcredits/

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315535418/jump%E2%80%A2cut-lori-jane-coleman-diana-friedberg

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