August 20, 2014

After four months of editing my own transformational documentary, I’m back to helping other filmmakers with a new seminar called Directing the Transformational Documentary. Transformational documentaries are an emerging genre of solution-oriented films that don’t shy away from social issues but ultimately leave viewers feeling optimistic rather than disheartened. Armed with new insights, not to mention two Emmy-nominations for transformational films that we worked on last year, I’m excited to help filmmakers who want to make a difference in the world. Check out our new seminar, which begins September 15, 2014. You can save $50 if you register before September…

There’s a problem with many documentaries that set out to make a difference in the world. Despite good intentions, many social issue films leave viewers feeling immobilized. In contrast, inspiring documentaries such as Can I Be Frank?, Take Back Your Power and The Ghosts In Our Machine are solution-oriented films that are winning audience awards. According to the award-winning film production company Way To Go Media, “In the film world there is currently a movement afoot to add a new cinema genre or classification, which could be called Transformational Media.” Whether we call this emerging genre Conscious Filmmaking or Transformational…

August 17, 2014

I am offering the e-book version of Documentary Editing absolutely free, in celebration of the two Emmy-nominations received by our story consulting clients this month Tiffany Shlain (The Future Starts Here) and Steven Pressman (50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Kraus)! We are proud of you and honored to collaborate! Normally sold for $27, this is the first textbook to focus exclusively on documentary editing. Feel free to share the link to download Documentary Editing: https://newdocediting.com/land/documentary-editing Whether you are editing a fundraising trailer, looking for the right structural template or micro-editing, this acclaimed book offers cutting-edge solutions…

August 8, 2014

There’s a new genre of films emerging known as “transformational documentaries”. It’s big. It’s already influential. “A transformational film,” according to AwareGuide founder and CEO, Gary Tomchuk, “seeks to inspire the movement of society toward ideals, values and practices that create a better world for everyone. They focus on solutions…” This new category of documentary, which has its roots in social issue docs as well as the human potential movement, leaves viewers feeling inspired when the credits roll—rather than disempowered by a troubled world. “More and more filmmakers are drawn to the ‘genre’ of Transformational Film,” says Celeste Allegrea Adams,…

January 21, 2014

As a story consultant who also directs documentaries, I want to recommend a seminar from one of the world’s greatest film financing experts, Carole Dean. Founder of From the Heart Productions, Carole has helped me raise more than $120,000 for my own current documentary, “American Visionary”. One of the greatest challenges for filmmakers is getting their films funded. 
That’s why Carole Dean, author of The Art of Film Funding, and Tom Malloy, author of Bankroll: A New Approach to Financing Feature Films are presenting a series of online classes that will give filmmakers the very latest tools and knowledge as well as the confidence to…

December 26, 2013

In honor of a terrific year in which we helped many filmmakers achieve broadcast and theatrical success, I’m offering a 48-hour holiday special on my editing seminars and documentary story consulting packages. First, I’m offering three filmmakers half-price off on any story consulting package. First come, first served. Email me to reserve your consultation anytime in 2014. Take half off the prices listed here: newdocediting.com/services/story-consulting I’m also offering specials on three of my online seminars: Buy “The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary” and get all of my other seminars for free. Purchase at: newdocediting.com/products If you are editing a…

September 25, 2013

I’m just back from West Doc, where I was inspired by filmmaker Ondi Timoner, two-time winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, to answer this question: “How can you quickly orient your film’s viewer with a so-called structural roadmap?” But first…our New Doc Inner Circle 7.0 has sold out. If you are interested in being on the waiting list for our next Inner Circle 8.0 in January, please let me know. Your film’s introduction ideally achieves three things quickly. First, impress your viewer with the film’s production values. Second, emotionally hook your viewer. And third, give your viewer a sense…

September 20, 2013

Today is the last day to register for the early bird discount for the Inner Circle, my 3-month program beginning September 30th that will help you structure highly watchable, inspiring documentaries. You can participate from anywhere in the world, and all Mastermind teleseminars are recorded in case you can’t be on a call. Register at: newdocediting.com/land/innercircle According to former Inner Circle member Camila Rhodes: Without having any footage for my film it seemed unjustifiable to seek story consulting, but by joining the Inner Circle I received so much support and knowledge from Karen and the group that I was able…

September 17, 2013

Directing your own documentary can be a lonely endeavor, which is part of the reason I’m at West Doc today, a documentary conference in LA.  If you’re searching for community, I want to share with you my own solution to creating such a community for myself, as well as invite you to a documentary story workshop in San Francisco at my expense. When I went to film school and later taught editing at the most prestigious documentary program in the world at UC Berkeley, I enjoyed two decades of a built-in, easily accessible community of intelligent, committed filmmakers, who helped…

September 14, 2013

I’m excited to share with you a tool that I use in my story consulting practice, which I call the “Doc Plot Map”. When I began my business of helping filmmakers structure compelling documentaries, I commissioned a professional designer to create a graphic of the three-act structure. You can use the attached Doc Plot Map to plot your own character-driven documentary.   Click Here >>  DocPlotMap Here’s how it works. The three blue arcs of the attached Doc Plot Map represent the ideal three-act structure. You’ll notice that the First Act peaks at the 25% mark, the Second Act climaxes…