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Choosing a Documentary Title
February 15, 2012
I hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day! Before I share some tips about how to choose a good title, a quick announcement. We currently have two talented and experienced editors available. Our editors are trained by me and will help you structure a highly compelling documentary. In addition, you’ll receive free story consulting from me. Please email me today to learn more. Now…are you trying to choose a great title for your documentary? One that is intriguing and easy to remember? Often filmmakers choose titles that are too generic to be easily recalled. Here are some tips for creating…
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Eckhart Tolle on Transformational Documentaries at GATE
February 7, 2012
I feel excited and “on purpose” as I write this newsletter, just hours after attending the amazing StoryCon conference about making transformational films. And I was delighted to meet up with many of you in Los Angeles! Sponsored by the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment (GATE), the StoryCon conference was packed with Hollywood creatives who confirmed what I’ve been writing about for two years: a groundswell of transformational films is jelling into what I called the “new documentary movement”. What are transformational films? The kind that can bring tears of joy to your eyes, which is what happened to me…
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Documentary Film Concept Quiz
January 25, 2012
Even veteran filmmakers (including my ideal story consulting clients) can benefit from taking my Documentary Concept Quiz. But first, a quick announcement. My Inner Cirlce has sold out. I am considering beginning a new Inner Circle and there are a few spots left. This 6-month program for documentary filmmakers begins January 31, 2012. Email me today to learn more. Or click on this link now: newdocediting.com/land/innercircle Back to the quiz…here are seven questions to ask about your core concept for your documentary-in-progress. Take this quiz to see if your concept paper and treatment need to be tweaked (or revamped) to…
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Profitable Docs and One Percent Myth
January 23, 2012
A few years ago I heard a statistic on the useful Doculink forum for documentary filmmakers that chilled my bones. The statistic claimed that only one percent of documentary films are commercially successful. For awhile, I believed it. Now I’m beginning to question that statistic. Where did it come from? Does anyone know? And how accurate is it today, a few short years later, when distribution consultants like Marc Rosenbush and Stacey Parks are helping filmmakers devise innovative roll-out plans to sell your film? And when more filmmakers are selling their films online, keeping all the profit? Before I blow…
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Free Critique of Documentary Footage
January 18, 2012
I’m offering ten fortunate filmmakers a free critique of their footage. Want to be one of them? Here’s how it works: For the next week, I’m offering 10 documentary filmmakers a complimentary mini-story consulting session. If chosen, you’ll send me up to five minutes of your footage, and I will critique what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve your film. If you are selected for this offer, I will ask you to send me one of the following: Your trailer or your Kickstarter/IndieGoGo campaign (your film’s calling card) The first five minutes of your film (the most difficult to…
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Transformational Documentaries Form Emerging Trend
January 16, 2012
I love working with filmmakers who make a difference, and there’s an emerging tribe of documentary filmmakers who are making a difference in a brand new way. I call their documentaries “transformational films”. Examples include surprise hits such as “I Am”,“What the Bleep Do You Know?”, “Horse Boy”, “Wake Up”, “Crazy Sexy Cancer”, “Thrive” and “Discover The Gift”. Imagine a bookstore’s psychology, spirituality and self-help sections combined, and you’ll get a whiff of how huge this emerging genre will be. As the upcoming GATE conference (the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment) promotes in their advertising, “The Audience is Ready!” for…
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Innovative Documentary Tips for ITVS Grant
January 12, 2012
Are you applying for the ITVS open call due January 13, 2012? If so, I helped design a Film Arts Forum with ITVS senior executive Richard Saiz that inspired so many filmmakers to think more creatively about their storytelling approach that I want to share some tips here…just in time to spruce up your application! But first, in case you missed the announcement, my new Inner Circle program is starting January 30th, 2012. If you are seeking guidance in structuring your film, motivation to meet deadlines, as well as the creative support of other talented filmmakers, this 6-month program is…
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Sage Advice Begins New Inner Circle
January 4, 2012
A few days after Christmas, a veteran in our independent documentary community gave me some sage advice. When I told her I was weighing whether to begin a new Inner Circle coaching program for documentary filmmakers (given all my new projects), she told me in no uncertain terms that I should definitely offer the Inner Circle program this month. She helped me realize what I already knew in my gut, from my testimonials gathered from other filmmakers. Simply put, we creatives thrive when we can talk about our projects on a regular basis with fellow filmmakers. And our documentaries benefit…
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Thank You to Documentary Filmmakers
December 7, 2011
Last night my Inner Circle met, and I was struck by how many members of this 6-month program were currently experiencing major challenges with their projects. One filmmaker was floored to discover that the hours of city council footage he had been depending upon had been inadvertently dumped by the archive facility. Another filmmaker had run smack into legal challenges with the government he had turned to for funding. A third filmmaking, working on a concept paper for a film about epilepsy, had personally experienced two seizures in the last few weeks. Two other Inner Circle members were bravely facing…
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Thrive Documentary Catching Fire
November 29, 2011
Earlier this month the long-anticipated documentary “Thrive” (http://thrivemovement.com/) was released, and its controversial views are catching fire in the personal development circles I like to roam in. Before I tell you why watching “Thrive” will make you a better filmmaker, let me first announce that I’m extending the holiday sale on my online documentary seminars. I’ve had some interest in an extension, so I’m making this great deal available to everyone. For the next 48 hours, you can get all of my seminars (valued at $625) for $79.97. Go to https://newdocediting.com/products/. (Note that I will be removing some of my…
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