What’s your name and your usual job title(s)?
Andy Bely. Editor.
How did you get started working in factual TV?
I cut my teeth editing a wacky-theory Jesus archeology documentary series, and had been sent several times to a small town in Israel so they wouldn’t feel guilty about working me 6-day weeks. I needed an escape, so I took a job at Toronto’s “Death Star” to work on the 2nd season of a series called “Cash & Cari” about an estate liquidator. The network hated how the first season turned out and so all of that crew was fired. Amazingly, we all survived the 2nd season. I’m sure the network hated that season too as there was no third.
What do you consider to be your career highlight(s)?
Having the opportunity to pass along what I’ve learned at events like Factual West!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to do working in factual TV?
I can’t think of anything as a factual editor. But I had a previous career working in feature films / TV movies as a props / set dresser, and had to learn how to crochet so I could teach Hallie Eisenberg (the Pepsi girl) how to crochet with her eyes closed for the part of Hellen Keller.
What’s something interesting/unusual about you that most people don’t know?
I love antiques and have more than I can display at home, so most are sitting in boxes. If you want me to ignore you, take me to an antique shop.
What’s your ultimate career aspiration?
There’s a few: cut a documentary that makes a splash at Hot Docs, teach at a film school, and create a series I’d actually watch.
