Many people experience imposter syndrome at some point, especially when tackling unfamiliar challenges. This was the case when director George Miller hired his wife, Margaret Sixel, to edit Mad Max: Fury Road. Despite having no prior experience editing action films, Sixel rose to the occasion and ended up winning an Oscar for her work.
An Unconventional Choice
Sixel had previously edited films such as Babe: Pig in the City and Happy Feet, but Mad Max: Fury Road was her first foray into action editing. Miller believed that her fresh perspective would be beneficial, as she wouldn’t follow the typical conventions of action film editing. He theorized that if the film were edited by someone experienced in the genre, it wouldn’t have a unique look.
A Grueling Task
Editing Mad Max: Fury Road was no small feat. The film, known for its fast-paced and intense action sequences, required meticulous attention to detail. Sixel and her team faced an enormous workload. They had to process between 10 and 20 hours of footage daily, which was then flown to Sixel in Sydney, Australia. By the end of filming, Sixel had sifted through over 470 hours of footage, a task that took three months of continuous work, 10 hours a day, six days a week.
The Result: An Oscar-Winning Edit
The final cut of Mad Max: Fury Road featured 2,700 individual cuts, twice as many as its predecessor, Mad Max 2. Sixel’s dedication and unique approach culminated in a masterful edit that earned her the Academy Award for Best Editing in 2016. She also received awards from the Critics Choice Awards and the BAFTAs.
Sixel’s success brought attention to the fact that she was a woman in a predominantly male field. However, she downplayed the significance of her gender in the editing process, stating that she was focused on the work itself. Interestingly, 25 percent of her editorial team were women, highlighting a diverse working environment.
Conclusion
Margaret Sixel’s journey from a newcomer in action editing to an Oscar-winning editor demonstrates the power of fresh perspectives and relentless hard work. Her story is a testament to the idea that unconventional choices can lead to extraordinary results, proving that sometimes, taking a risk on inexperience can yield groundbreaking success.
