Cutters Tokyo appoints two colorists + an editor

Cutters Tokyo has made three new appointments; Ben Conkey (pictured far left) and Pete Ritchie (centre) join as colorists and Nathan Pickles (right) as editor. All bring years of cross-disciplinary experience and global expertise to Cutters’ rising demand in the Asian market. As editorial inquiries from Japan continue to grow, and with China and Southeast Asia expanding at a breathless pace, the company is building on its award-winning achievements, and positioning itself to be the region’s premiere post production studio and creative center.

“It’s always a great time to bring on exceptional talent,” says Cutters Tokyo’s managing director/editor Ryan McGuire. “These days more and more of the commercial filmmaking is handled by the editor, and the post house. We want to be ready to service this brave new world of advertising.”

Colorists Conkey and Ritchie have known one another since Conkey was 17, Ritchie having both worked under Conkey’s enterprising father Michael Conkey, establisher of the Iloura post houses in Melbourne and Bangkok, Finito Films’ two offices in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, as well as Fin Design + Effects in Sydney. They share Australasian roots and global resumes, having worked for two decades alongside A-list directors, clients and agencies worldwide. Both have graded commercials, music videos, shorts and feature films. They bring the artist’s passion and the craftsman’s discipline to the table.

“Ben grew up in the business and knows color, both the theory and technology, better than anyone I have ever met,” says McGuire. “And Pete compliments Ben’s stylistic

approach with his knack for the natural. He’s already got a book of Pete Ritchie Japan market work, and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Pickles is an editorial entrepreneur. At 26, he founded his own editing house in London. Soon after, he was contributing to award-winning music videos and iconic campaign spots for clients such as Vodafone, Heineken and Mastercard. He joins Cutters with a deep knowledge of global standards and a hunger to work with a company that is, in his words, “ahead of the curve.”

According to McGuire, Pickles combines two key skill sets – editorial versatility and salesmanship. “He’s got a varied reel, so we can sell him to a wide variety of Asian clients. He also has business and sales experience. Editing is sales. Being good at sales takes great communication skills, which Nathan has in droves.”

Cutters Tokyo executive producer Timo Otsuki added, “These guys have multicultural

backgrounds and reams of experience, and they’re the very best at what they do. The fact that they love Japan cinches the deal!”