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Recommendations For Editing Inspiring Documentaries
November 16, 2016
As promised, here’s Part Two of my discussion about creating inspiring documentaries. You can read Part 1 about Joe Berlinger’s new, uplifting, observational documentary, which breaks the “take down” mold, in last week’s blog. As educated, critical thinkers who are often aware of global crises, we documentary filmmakers tend to make films that critique the status quo. The American independent documentary community has been doing that for decades—and initially very effectively. But despite the so-called golden age of documentaries, I fear documentaries are beginning to get a reputation as “downers”. Or, as Joe Berlinger puts it, “take down” documentaries. Who…
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Talented Editor Available In January
November 14, 2016
One of our talented editors is just now wrapping a documentary project and will be available in early January. Don’t wait to lock in a gifted editor. Our editors have great credentials, and they get booked quickly. This particular editor has great bedside manners, gets rave reviews from our directors, and has proven to be one of the finest storytellers I know. Email me if you are interested in a free consultation.
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Election Eve Documentary On Women
November 6, 2016
On the eve of this important election, I’m excited to share with you Tiffany Shlain’s new documentary short. It’s called 50/50: Rethinking the Past, Present, and Future of Women + Power. I’ve been working with Tiffany as a story editor since her documentary Connected premiered at Sundance in 2011. She’s a remarkable, team-building director, who expands the documentary mold with her first-person camera address, signature humor, and use of found footage. Check out her latest short and get out and vote!
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I Am Not Your Guru Documentary
November 5, 2016
I’m delighted to be returning to my documentary newsletter, after spending five months wrapping up my own film. In 2012, just before I began directing American Visionary, a film about Barbara Marx Hubbard, I sought out self-improvement guru Tony Robbins. I asked him if I could make a documentary about his work. I’m still a bit discomfited today to admit that this giant man, whom most people think of as a hyped-up motivational speaker, has been such an influential teacher to me personally. But several years ago, his seminars dramatically improved my life. Then I received an email from his…
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Sale on Documentary Seminars
September 5, 2016
Happy Labor Day! To help you make progress on your film this Fall, I’m offering a half-price discount on all my popular documentary seminars. Check it out at: newdocediting.com/products This sale ends in 48 hours!
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Film Distribution Workshop
June 29, 2016
I’m pleased to recommend an acclaimed film distribution workshop coming up on July 20th. A daylong event, “How to Sell Your Film” is being held at UC Berkeley, where I taught for 18 years. Register at: multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/workshops/how-to-sell-your-film As the link above reveals, getting your film distributed is more complicated today than ever before. But the good news is there’s more opportunity to reach your audience and keep more revenue. I’m especially excited about this opportunity because it’s being co-taught by my talented colleague Jilann Spitzmiller, an award-winning filmmaker. I just registered myself, so let me know if you’re coming. The…
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Birthday Gift From Karen
June 15, 2016
Today is my birthday, and I’m hiking St. Cuthbert’s Way along the peaceful Scottish borders with my friends. In celebration, I’d like to give you a storytelling gift in the form of the article that kicked off my documentary consulting career: newdocediting.com/articlebc In Reality in Three Acts, you’ll discover what documentary filmmakers can learn from screenwriters. Applying dramatic techniques to films about real life has been the hallmark of my work at New Doc Editing. At 55, I’m grateful to have helped hundreds of visionary filmmakers over the years.
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Great Film Schools
June 2, 2016
I’m headed to Budapest to teach again at Doc Nomads. Last year I learned as much as my students in this highly innovative filmmaking program. Imagine getting a joint masters degree in Documentary Filmmaking at three prominent European universities across three countries: Portugal, Hungary and Belgium. For those of you who can’t take two years out of your life for film school, consider taking my popular two-day seminar Editing the Character-Driven Documentary. Taught for many years at the San Francisco Film Society, this online seminar (filmed live) can be viewed in the comfort of your own home. It contains everything…
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Four Steps to Structuring Character
May 23, 2016
If you’ve been following my 4-part series on the transformational arc, today you’ll receive my final installment and learn the steps to structuring character transformation. If you missed last week’s Part 3, read about the Protagonist’s Statement of Transformation here. In addition to having a concrete goal, a protagonist may also have a so-called “need”, which is a subconscious psychological desire to embrace a character trait that they are lacking. Maybe they are lacking courage, or kindness, or in the case of the character Thelma in the Hollywood classic “Thelma and Louise”, a sense of independence. The first step in…
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Character’s Statement of Transformation
May 13, 2016
I hope your May is going well! Today’s Part 3 of our 4-part series on character transformation involves a special video treat. If you missed Part 2, you can read here about how the moment of enlightenment can turn the dreaded Second Act into a transformational midpoint. In good narrative films, characters needs to evolve and change. Captain America started out as Steve Rogers, a scrawny guy who was rejected for the military. He transforms into a superhero by drinking a serum. “True transformational change is a decision made by the protagonist,” says Dara Marks, author of Inside Story, a…
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