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Creative Doc on Oscar Short List
January 21, 2020
In honor of one of my favorite documentaries on the Oscar Short List, I’m rerunning this personal blog about watching Apollo 11. This creative doc is especially instructive if you have a documentary that features a singular event that was filmed from more than one location. According to film critic Matt Zoller Seitz on RogerEbert.com, this “joyous music montage” creates a “vertigo-inducing sense of immediacy.” Read the entire blog here.
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FAQ About Editing Services
January 16, 2020
I frequently get asked about our editing services so I’m reposting these FAQ’s, updated for 2020. Can you please send me the names and clips of your editors? Eventually, yes. But first we’ll talk about your vision so I can determine which editor’s sensibility best fits your film. Then we’ll have a three-way conference call with the editor so you can feel out whether it’s a good match. Fit is so important to me that it comes before credentials. I’ll send resumes, clips, and testimonials after our three-way call so you can do your due diligence. What makes your editing…
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I Am So Inspired!
January 14, 2020
I usually don’t talk shop when I visit my family in Maine. But this holiday, I decided to make a short compilation of several documentaries we’ve recently edited or story consulted on. My mother’s response? “I am SO IMPRESSED by all you do to make the world a better place for all of us!” The truth is, it’s the filmmakers who are impressive. Check out this short clip of four directors’ inspiring visions!
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Refine ITVS Application
January 8, 2020
Over the years we’ve worked with several filmmakers who’ve partnered with ITVS for funding. Now we’re working to help filmmakers get funded! As you may know, ITVS gives indies up to $350,000 to complete a standalone doc that’s then virtually guaranteed to air on PBS. They’re especially looking to provide underserved audiences with exceptional stories. Storytelling is our specialty! Our new funding prep service helps you refine important funding staples such as logline, synopsis, treatment, audience clarity and sample reel (ITVS requires a 10-15 minute sample reel). The new ITVS Open Call deadline is on Valentine’s day, Feb 14th. It…
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Talented Editor Available
January 3, 2020
Happy New Year! I have a talented editor coming available shortly. He’s kind, supportive, and deeply experienced in storytelling. Let me know if you’re interested. Read more about our editing services here.
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FILMMAKING Sale Ends Tomorrow
November 30, 2019
Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of the two-for-one sale on my acclaimed documentary filmmaking seminars. Buy Editing the Character-Driven Documentary here and get The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary for free (valued at $97.97). Please email me for special instructions on how to purchase if you live outside the U.S. Here’s what one Emmy-Award-winning director had to say about Editing the Character-Driven Documentary: “This class was invaluable for bringing into crystal clear focus how to bring a 3-act structure to a documentary film. Karen is inspiring and the documentary clips she screens are extremely useful.” –…
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Black Friday FILMMAKING Sale
November 26, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! I’d also like to express appreciation for my international readers with a two-for-one sale on my filmmaking seminars. Buy Editing the Character-Driven Documentary here and get The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary for free (valued at $97.97). If you live outside the U.S., please email me for special instructions on how to purchase. Thank you! Here’s what one Emmy-Award-winning director had to say about Editing the Character-Driven Documentary: “This class was invaluable for bringing into crystal clear focus how to bring a 3-act structure to a documentary film. Karen is inspiring and the…
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Tribute to My Mentor + Editor for SXSW Deadline
September 9, 2019
First up, I’m delighted to announce a Sept 26th tribute to my beloved late mentor Marlon Riggs, a groundbreaking and controversial gay, black filmmaker. The Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive will screen I Shall Not Be Removed: The Life of Marlon Riggs (1996), which was my first documentary out of film school. It played on public television soon after Marlon died of AIDS. And on another note…here are some upcoming film festival late submission deadlines: SXSW is October 17th, and True/False Film Fest is November 5th. If you miss those, the AFI deadline is March 29th, 2020! If…
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Beloved Colleague Offers Film Fundraising Class
September 5, 2019
First up: you may still be able to register to meet film industry execs at IFP. Billed as a “must attend event” for financiers and producers, it takes place Sept 15-19 in New York. Also, check out Carole Dean’s Intentional Filmmaking Class to show you how to get the money you need to make your documentary. I’ve attended IFP and taken Carole’s class, and for my money, Carole’s class delivers. Carole is a beloved colleague who helped me raise more than $110,000 for my own latest doc. She is the author of “The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative…
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Best Practices for Logging Footage + Editing Quickly
August 29, 2019
Last week I was interviewed by film fundraising guru Carole Dean. We’ve gotten close through the years, which made this hour-long BlogTalkRadio episode especially dynamic. We discussed best practices for logging footage quickly, fast-track editing, essential questions to ask during interviews, and fundraising mindset. We kicked off with my take on where the indie doc world is heading. Listen in here!
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