DOCUMENTARY STORY CONSULTING

Pre-Production and Production

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As a filmmakers, none of us are immune to becoming enmeshed with our projects.  This can lead to oversights that only become apparent in the edit room.  We may find that the information is there, but context is missing.  The interviews are plentiful, but there's not enough action.  The points are well made, but are disjointed without transitions.  We wish we would have gotten just one more establishing shot, one more detail shot to cover a jump cut. As an editor, I have faced all of these issues and more. 

Discussing shot lists, interview plans, film themes, etc. beforehand with an experienced editor can help you anticipate your film's needs before they become problems in post.  Whether in pre-production or production - it is never too early think ahead.

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Pre-Production

Let's talk about the best possible approach to your story that will ensure clarity and a powerful emotional connection with your audience. Who is your audience? Is your topic specific enough to capture their attention?  Is your topic too specific and in need of a universal approach to generate relatability?  Could your general topic benefit from a personal perspective?  How can you avoid too many "talking heads?" How can you expand your topic into a rich compelling story? Does your story fully support your theme? Does your idea lend itself better to a feature film, short film, or a series?  Together we will devise a proposed film structure that will serve as a foundation in your upcoming shoots and give your story the greatest chance of success.  Yes, it is true that documentaries never follow their scripts.  The best directors flow and adapt as the story unfolds.  However, starting with a clear vision allows for the greatest flexibility down the road.  The deeper you are rooted, the more you can sway with the wind without resistance and without toppling over.

Production

Let's review what you have shot so far and how you are feeling about the film.  We will determine where the film is going and devise shot lists, vérité ideas, B-roll, interview questions, additional sounds, additional subjects, etc. that best support the trajectory of the story.  We will look at your edit plans and determine what additional footage is needed to round out the story and fill any gaps.  Is your footage mostly interviews? Have you captured establishing shots of all your settings?  Have you included close up details for montages, cutaways, breathing room, emotional emphasis?   Is your footage communicating the intended tone?   Is there anything said in interviews that can be shown instead?  For example, close up details in your main subject's home can establish their personality.  They can even get you out of a bind if you've edited yourself into a corner. All together these things may not seem like much, but any one of them can be the difference between a bare disjointed final edit and a profoundly flowing film.