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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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Thanksgiving Sale on Documentary Seminars
November 16, 2011
In appreciation for our best year ever, New Doc Editing is offering all of our high-quality seminars for the low price of $79.97. You might want to take advantage of this opportunity if: – You Want to Improve Your Filmmaking Craft (“The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary”) – You Are Directing A Character-Driven Documentary (“Editing the Character-Driven Documentary”) – You Are In Post-Production (“The Story Doctoring Kit”) For the next 48 hours, you can get all of the above seminars for $77.97. That’s a $625 value for $77.97! As a bonus, I’m throwing in my e-book “Documentary Editing” and…
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Revenge Documentary Creates Character Convergence
November 9, 2011
One of the joys of teaching editing for 18 years at the nation’s top documentary program is seeing wave after wave of graduating alumni go on to produce world-class documentaries. Last week I had the privilege of attending the theatrical release of one of my former student’s films, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” which illustrates a storytelling device that can help catapult your own character-driven documentary into the big leagues. I call this device “character convergence”. But first, a quick correction. My recent newsletter mis-identified the director of “Wasteland”, which was actually directed by the talented Lucy Walker. Thank you,…
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Wasteland Documentary States Protagonist Desire
October 25, 2011
I recently watched the Oscar-nominated documentary “Wasteland” (available on Netflix). I was thrilled to discover an excellent example of a storytelling principle that I shared during my keynote speech at the DV Expo a few weeks ago. I call this storytelling device the “Protagonist’s Statement of Desire”, and it’s a great way of focusing your viewer on the film’s narrative arc. After my talk, one of the filmmakers came to the podium to share her excitement about learning this new storytelling technique and how she would use it in her film. But before I continue this tutorial, let me first…
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Last Day for Discounted Inner Circle
October 13, 2011
Our Inner Circle is almost full. I have one spot left. I’ve had many filmmakers tell me they are extremely interested in the New Doc Inner Circle program, but that the $4000 cost was prohibitive at this time. So … if the Inner Circle is not filled by today, I’m offering one spot for $2600. Note that tomorrow is the last day to register for this acclaimed 6-month program for documentary filmmakers. Here’s how it works. For $2600, you will get full membership to the new and improved Inner Circle 4.0, and two (rather than three) one-on-one consultations, in which…
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