Norman Hollyn

Biography

Norman Hollyn was born in New York and graduated from Stony Brook University in 1974 with a degree in Theater Arts. His early career began in the 1970s, working as an apprentice sound editor on Bob Fosse's Lenny (1974) and as an assistant editor on Sidney Lumet's Network (1976).

Career Highlights

Hollyn's career spanned over four decades, during which he contributed to numerous films and television projects. Notable works include:

Heathers (1988): Served as the film editor for this cult classic black comedy.

Sophie's Choice (1982): Worked as the music editor on this Academy Award-winning film.

The Cotton Club (1984): Served as the music editor for this Francis Ford Coppola-directed film.

Wild Palms (1993): Edited this Oliver Stone-produced miniseries.

His final editing project was the 2017 film Shot, directed by his USC colleague Jeremy Kagan.

Academic Contributions

Hollyn was a dedicated educator and served as the inaugural holder of the Michael Kahn Endowed Chair in Editing at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. He taught there for over a decade, influencing countless students and shaping the future of film editing education.

Authorship and Thought Leadership

Hollyn authored several influential books on film editing, including:

The Film Editing Room Handbook (1986): A widely used textbook in film editing education.

The Lean Forward Moment (2009): Focused on storytelling across various media platforms.

He also contributed nearly 100 articles to industry magazines and peer-reviewed journals, sharing his expertise with the broader film community.

Global Influence and Legacy

Beyond his work in Hollywood, Hollyn was a sought-after speaker and instructor worldwide. He led workshops and lectures in countries such as Japan, South Africa, Estonia, Brazil, and Jordan, collaborating with institutions like the Royal Film Commission in Jordan and the Sundance Institute.

Hollyn's impact on the film industry and education continues to be felt through his extensive body of work and the generations of filmmakers he mentored.

Final Days and Passing

In March 2019, Hollyn was teaching a course at Tokyo University of the Arts in Yokohama, Japan, when he unexpectedly passed away from a coronary embolism and subsequent cardiac arrest. His death was a significant loss to the film community, but his contributions to the art and craft of film editing endure.