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Marlon Riggs Films in New Criterion Collection
July 14, 2021
I recently celebrated my 60th birthday. One of the nicest gifts that came my way was a newly-released box set featuring the films of my mentor, the late Marlon Riggs. It’s called The Signifyn’ Works of Marlon Riggs, whom the prestigious Criterion Collection describes as “a fearless artist who confronted racism and homophobia in America with this intimate, dynamic, influential films”. Marlon has been sorely missed for 27 years, but he will forever be an inspiration to those who have been shamed into silence and then dare to speak out. In his ground-breaking personal documentary Tongues Untied, he did so…
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ITVS Short-Form Call Deadline is July 16
July 9, 2021
I hope you’re having a good summer! In case you haven’t heard, ITVS has opened its Short-Form Open Call, and the deadline for applying is July 16th. Unlike their call for feature docs, this funding opportunity is open to documentary shorts and web series! We can help improve your application. Thank you to Brenda Hayes, Director of Deep Conditioning, for this testimonial about our proposal writing services: “After a myriad of “Thank you for applying, but…” rejection letters, I accepted Karen and her staff writer’s invitation and let them take the lead in helping me with the ITVS proposal. While…
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Join Online Screening & Feedback Session this Sunday
May 31, 2021
Have you ever wondered how to host your own rough cut screening online? Here’s your chance to see how it’s done! I’d like to invite you to a feedback screening of a film that we are editing. This online screening and live feedback session gives you the opportunity to see a new technology developed for filmmakers, as well as view a feedback session happen live! Directed by John McAllister, “Double Dummy” is a documentary that follows a team of American junior bridge enthusiasts at the world championship. The screening and live feedback session is on Sunday, May 30th, at 9…
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ITVS Open Call Closes June 11
May 23, 2021
The Independent Television Service (ITVS) funds more independent documentaries than any other American entity. So if you haven’t yet checked out the application requirements for ITVS, keep reading! It can take 2 weeks to prepare. In addition to a 10-15 minute Sample Reel, you’ll need a 3-7 page document that describes your intended documentary. To help, I’ve recently updated our Fundraising Services page which includes the current fee. We can critique your Sample as well as help you think through the 4-part Program Description, which is excerpted here from the ITVS website: A story summary/synopsis of the program (this should…
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Need Help With ITVS Proposal?
May 20, 2021
Given the get-back-to-work flurry that I’m seeing, the ITVS Open Call looks especially competitive this Summer. Need help? Many proposals that I review become more viable for two reasons. First, we improve the Work Sample to reveal more narrative arc, develop interesting characters, and showcase actual scenes in the 10-15 minutes allotted time. Second, I’ve found that many filmmakers’ written component—while often well-penned–omits or misplaces important information in the 3-7 pages. We upgrade the application by thinking through with you key ITVS concerns, so you have something unique to say in regards to story, artistic approach and/or relevance for a…
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Film Funding Opportunities
April 29, 2021
Congratulations to director Ravinol Chambers whom I was honored to help finish Road to Vrindavan! In his personal documentary, this former Krishna monk examines how to educate more girls in India. 1300 people recently turned out for the UK premiere, and he says “the feedback has been wonderful.” Now onto fundraising for works-in-progress! The ITVS Open Call reopens May 3, 2021. Learn how we can help with this highly competitive funding opportunity here. That said, take heed from my colleague Keith Ochwat, who says, “Stop applying for the same old grants!” He has a point. Having helped many filmmakers apply…
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Documentary Book – 3rd Edition!
April 23, 2021
I’m excited to have just completed the 3rd edition of my book! You can download Documentary Editing here! And … my apologies to the last fifty-five people who requested the book last week and received a badly formatted copy! I was so dismayed that I spent the last four days revising the book and adding brand new material. I’m especially proud of the nine new chapters, including these three: Chapter 13 Charting Character TransformationChapter 22 Cutting the 2-Minute Trailer (Theatrical and Fundraising)Appendix B Free Editorial Resources Many thanks to Harvard Film Professor Robb Moss for this testimonial about the book:…
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Editing for Fundraising Workshop
April 6, 2021
I’m delighted to announce that my colleague Keith Ochwat (Show&Tell) and I will be presenting a free online workshop about editing documentary footage for fundraising. In “Editing for Fundraising,” we’ll combine his fundraising prowess with my editing expertise. You’ll learn how to edit your existing footage (or repurpose former cuts) to pitch funders outside the usual suspects (ITVS, Ford Foundation, etc.) As Keith says, “Stop applying to the same grants as every other filmmaker!” RSVP here! You’ll also learn how to edit a feature documentary into a television hour.
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The Boys in Red Hats
March 30, 2021
I’m pleased to announce the world premiere of a documentary that we edited called “The Boys in Red Hats.” Featuring now at the prestigious Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival, it’s a superb example of how to construct a personal documentary. Remember the ‘smirk heard round the world’ that set off a media shitstorm? MAGA-hat-wearing students from Covington Catholic high school appear to mock a Native American elder on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Director Jonathan Schroder wanted to know what really happened. As the investigative protagonist in the film, he uses behind-the-scenes verite footage to comment on his alma…
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PPP Enables Discount on Editing Services
March 9, 2021
I’m pleased to report that New Doc Editing has received a second draw on the PPP (the covid Paycheck Protection Program). This allows me to give filmmakers a discount to keep my editors working! If you don’t know about our Documentary Editing Services, I have three deeply experienced editors on staff. When you collaborate with us to cut your film, you get my story consulting (normally $250/hour) for free! Note that I can give up to 5 weeks of discounted editing rates, so email me today for more details as this offer will go quickly. Also…big congrats to director Jon…
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