Editor Sidney Wolinsky, ACE, first collaborated with visionary director Guillermo del Toro on the pilot for FX Network’s The Strain, a dark and atmospheric television series created by del Toro, who also served as executive producer. Their strong creative partnership on that project led del Toro to once again turn to Wolinsky when it came time to craft a feature film that blended fantasy, romance, and Cold War–era intrigue. The result of their collaboration was The Shape of Water (Fox Searchlight), a visually stunning and emotionally rich film that went on to captivate audiences and critics alike.
The Shape of Water tells the extraordinary story of Elisa Esposito, portrayed by Sally Hawkins, a mute janitor working in a secretive government laboratory in 1962 America. Elisa lives a quiet, isolated life—until she and her co-worker Zelda, played by Octavia Spencer, stumble upon a mysterious, classified experiment. That experiment turns out to be an amphibious creature, half-man and half-fish, portrayed by del Toro’s frequent collaborator Doug Jones. What unfolds between Elisa and the creature is a tender and unconventional love story, transcending the boundaries of language, species, and societal expectation.
The film’s blend of romance, fantasy, and Cold War tension struck a chord with audiences worldwide. The Shape of Water went on to receive 13 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing, as well as a DGA Award win for del Toro. For Wolinsky, the Oscar nomination marked a career milestone—his first in film—after decades of acclaimed work in television. He also earned his seventh ACE Eddie Award nomination for editing The Shape of Water, having previously won two ACE Eddies for his exceptional editing on The Sopranos in 2003 and 2008.
Wolinsky’s work on The Shape of Water demonstrates the vital role of editing in shaping emotion and rhythm within a story. His pacing, transitions, and attention to visual storytelling helped balance the film’s delicate mix of realism and fantasy, making every moment resonate with heart and meaning. It’s a masterclass in cinematic storytelling from one of the industry’s most respected editors.