MAY 25, 1978 – APRIL 15, 2023
Ellen Tam, rising editor and accomplished assistant editor, died peacefully in home hospice on April 15th, 2023 of breast cancer. She was 44 years old.
It’s tempting to memorialize a friend in a professional space by bragging about their career and accolades … but we have IMDb for that. So for anyone who missed their chance to know, work with, and love one of the kindest people to operate the Avid, we hope to put some words down that might offer a glimpse of her beautiful spirit, while also reminding ourselves of how joyous the practice of remembering can be.
To work with Ellen was to experience unfettered support. Not because you could count on her to know anything and everything that went into making a TV show (though you could, because she did), but because she loved editing, and frankly, she loved being on a team. She was an incredibly swift and precise AE, with uncanny consistency. You’d be forgiven if you walked away from a project of hers thinking it was all so easy. When asked by those of us who knew better how she did it, she’d reply earnestly, “I just push buttons!”
It wasn’t that she was affecting humility, though. Self-awareness of an achievement or status to renounce precluded such affectations. Rather, she plainly assumed that anyone could do the job as well as she did — and if they hadn’t yet, it was only a matter of time, if they wanted to learn. She saw potential in everyone.
Ellen was a mentor, a great friend, a music lover, a Mets fan, a savage gif sender, and most unusual in what can be quite a competitive role in this industry, generous with her talents. If someone on the team struggled to finish their work in pressing moments, she wouldn’t leave the office without offering to help. Sometimes it was simply that she’d provide company while you finished up, talking smack on whatever faceless enemy deserved it that day: the cranky Avid, long shoot days that pushed the dailies late, inevitable lab errors, tight deadlines … whatever. You would get your own personal hype team of one. Her effortless camaraderie diffused stress and pulled focus to the big picture: we were all in it together.
Other times, her moral support came in the respite that was her edit suite. Ellen always had the answers, so it wasn’t uncommon to walk by and see someone visiting her in her room. But because her easy confidence was so comforting, that quick question often turned into rather long visits — and no matter how busy she was, she’d always lend an ear. Couldn’t find someone in their office? They were likely visiting Ellen in hers.
“My fondest memories of Ellen were my interactions with her at work around her desk,” editor Meg Reticker said. “It was an area filled with many things that defined who Ellen was. The usual office supplies, sharpies, hole punch, etc. But there were also packages of ketchup, little toys, fragrant candles, photos of family, fellow co-workers , cast members, tons and tons of candy, sooo much stuff! I remember starting a new season of “30 Rock” with her and within a week, Ellen would have set up camp with all her things. It was her home, her domain … It was also where you could bitch about everything going on at work or tell her about personal struggles, and Ellen would listen, never with any judgement. She always had time for you and made you feel heard and understood.”
Editor Ken Eluto, ACE said of his longtime assistant and frequent co-editor, “She was amazing at her job. We would often go into each other’s room just to chat about the show we were working on, as well as other personal life issues. Complaints, or positive thoughts, it didn’t matter, it was always a treat. She passed away way too early and will be greatly missed.”
Ellen lived in Brooklyn, NY. She was a well known member of the tight-knit New York film and television post production community for over 20 years. Ellen loved warm weather, and her friends always knew it was spring time when she busted out her favorite jean shorts. Most recently, Ellen received recognition with a Creative Arts Emmy nomination for her work co-editing with Eluto the ninth and final episode of “Succession” season three, “All the Bells Say.” Ellen was in the midst of assisting Ken and co-editing season four of “Succession” when she had to take a leave of absence due to her failing health. She was a determined woman, a diligent editor, and devoted friend, and she fought like hell to the very end. She will be sorely missed.
-Kate Miller
