Click here to read all 7 tips on “How to Hire a Documentary Editor in Today’s Economy”.

ONE of the biggest reason post-production budgets spiral out of control is because the editor is still hunting for the film’s structure.  What should be a 5-part post production cycle–paper edit, assembly, rough cut, fine cut, locked picture-gets bogged down at rough cut stage when the editor churns out a second, third, fourth and sometimes fifth rough cut.  While it’s not uncommon for docs to have two rough cuts, more than that is a red flag that this editor may bust your budget.

Tip #7: Hire a Structural Specialist.

In her excellent workshop on film structure, expert Fernanda Rossi, a.k.a. “The Documentary Doctor,” urges directors NOT to hand over the structural work of the film to the editor, but rather to own the editorial approach by doing the hard work of figuring out the story yourself.  Sage advice, given that any Joe with FCP loaded on his laptop is calling himself an editor these days.

And … to make the best hire, bring on board a qualified editor who specializes in storytelling and can talk structural shop as your equal. Beware of hiring a hard-headed structural purist who approaches every film with a pre-conceived formula within which your content must fit.  As Sheila Bernard Curran says in her highly-rated book Documentary Storytelling, films about real life approximate the three-act structure.  Having said that, your editor should know the classic three-act structural model inside and out, particularly if you are making a character-driven film.

So grab the bull by the horns and ask your potential hire some tough questions… such as  “I’m curious–how does each act in the three-act structure differ from the other acts?”  (For the answer, see http://newdocediting.com/resources/.)  In their opinion, what makes a good opening?  How would they deal with a sagging middle?  If the film had too many characters, what criteria would they use to cut some?  What makes a good climax?  Ask them to explain the difference between an essay-based doc and a character-driven doc.

Then check their work.  Are their films well-composed in your opinion (did you get bored)? Have they written or taught about structure?  The more your editor knows about structure, the less likely you will waste money funding their discovery process.

Schedule a free half-hour phone consultation and get help crafting a documentary that will keep viewers glued to the screen. Email Karen@newdocediting.com.