The Bob Mann Post Production Award, established in 1992, is presented in recognition of a post-production achiever who is not only consummately professional and technologically astute but who has also somehow managed to retain a high degree of humanity in the topsy-turvy world of post.

Judges effuse about this year’s winner, Archie Van Dyke, his personal and professional accomplishments, and embodiment of the spirit of the award.

Editor John Hopp ascribes ‘Zen-like’ characteristics to Van Dyke, who was the first editor Hopp assisted at the outset of his career. ‘He’s a very relaxed and calm person,’ says Hopp. ‘He’s talented and confident in his abilities but not someone who makes you feel pressured.’

Van Dyke began editing in 1963 at Toronto’s Sebert Productions, moving in 1973 to Editor’s Cut, one of the first independent post-production companies in the city, evolving into Editors in 1985. In 1990, Van Dyke became an owner of Toronto’s Daily Post, and along the way accumulated an array of awards and the admiration of his peers in the post business.

Van Dyke was involved in Bessie-winning commercials every year in recent memory, including a gold Bessie in 1988 for Purina Cat Chow. Van Dyke also had a hand in late 20th century advertising zeitgeist, editing the first Royale spot featuring the archetypal fluffy white kittens.

Lisa Weinrib, producer at Toronto’s TOPIX Computer Graphics and Animation, says Van Dyke has exhibited an admirable combination of creativity and adaptability, evolving gracefully with each new technological wave. ‘It’s a level of integrity and strength of character in the face of the harsh reality of things you can’t control in this industry,’ says Weinrib.

Lesley Parrott, vp director of creative and broadcast services at MacLaren McCann, also cites the amalgamation of qualities Van Dyke embodies that make him a natural for the award. ‘It’s a combination of his own talent and creativity and a commitment to helping to develop other people,’ says Parrott. ‘He’s had a huge impact on the whole post-production end of the business.’

Cathy MacMillan from Toronto’s Post Port says the judging process was guided by memories of the award’s namesake and qualities he represented.

Bob Mann, who earned industry-wide professional and personal respect during his career at The Partners’ Film Company, was the inspiration for the award and was its first, posthumous, recipient.

‘He was totally dedicated to the craft,’ says editor John Kerns, the award’s de facto ‘chairman emeritus.’ ‘He was very service-oriented and spent a long time learning new technologies.’

Kerns was one of a group of people who approached the Bessies committee to establish the Bob Mann Post Production Award, the first recognition of post excellence by the Bessies. Five judges representing a cross-section of the industry are charged with selecting its recipient.

Hopp says the industry is playing catch-up in terms of lauding its finest, acknowledging the abundance of talent in the field and Van Dyke’s place among them. ‘If this award would have been running longer, his name would have been on the trophy many times,’ says Hopp.