Editor Marco Perez Named Partner at Union

Editor Marco Perez, noted for his work in commercials, short films and documentaries, has been named a partner at bicoastal Union. Perez joined the company in Summer 2009. His work this year includes three standout projects helmed by venerable director Michael Haussman: an expansive United Airlines campaign via McGarry Bowen, Haagen-Dazs “Argument” via Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and “The Audition,” a short film that premiered at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival.  

“It was important for us to let Marco know how much we love and respect the work that he does and the person that he is, so much so that we want him to be part of our family forever,” said Partner/President Michael Raimondi. “Furthermore, this is a statement about the work and style that we’re striving for at Union. It is who we want to be moving forward.”

“It’s such an honor to accept this invitation,” said Perez. “Union has a deep appreciation of the artistic and professional ambitions of an editor. The support and desire to help each editor achieve those goals makes Union a special place. To experience this kind of synergy is exceptional.”

Perez began his career in his native Rome and has since cut all over the world, building a fan base of filmmakers in the US, London and across Europe with whom he enjoys numerous collaborations. Perez studied film at Rome's Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (the National School of Cinema) in 1996, then moved to Milan and began work as a commercial editor for directors Wim Wenders, Spike Lee, Joel Schumacher, Michael Haussman, Mathias Zentner, Laurence Dunmore, Federico Brugia and Luca Maroni, among many others. He traveled to Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Auckland, Cape Town, and more to ply his craft, relocating to New York in 2006. Perez has complemented his spot work by editing documentaries, movies for television, and independent short films. His work has appeared in various international film festivals, and has featured notable actors such as George Clooney, Adrien Brody, Penelope Cruz and Michael Pitt. Balancing editing with writing, he co-wrote the screenplay "Ferdinandea" with Luca Maroni and Suzanne Reyenke, winning the National Prize for Best Screenplay from the Italian Ministry of Culture in 2006. Perez made his directorial debut in 2007 with "Cose che facciamo per amore" ("Things We Do for Love"), which earned a commendation from the Jury at the 51st London Film Festival. It has since been featured on TMC Classic Shorts.
 
Perez joins Jim Haygood, Einar Thorsteinsson, Jay Friedkin and Sloane Klevin as Partner/Editors at Union. “Marco has a rare intelligence and his creative sensibility is very sophisticated,” said Klevin, who recently co-edited the independent narrative feature “X/Y" with Perez. “His patience is endless, he works tirelessly, but he knows the value of laughter in the edit room. He is a true artist. I wish every young editor coming up in this business could have the opportunity to work with him and emulate him. I am incredibly excited to call Marco my partner.”

“These great editors, our cornerstones, are amazing mentors, nurturing and attracting young talent,” Raimondi concluded. “We’ve all had exceptional people in our lives who inspired us to take the next step. Marco is one of those people at Union.”