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Editing Shortcuts
Recommendations for Transcribing Documentary Interviews
October 10, 2019
Many thanks to all the filmmakers who emailed me about their experience with transcription services. Back in the day, transcribing documentary interviews was slow, tedious, and costly. Not so now! Please see their recommendations below. But first, congratulations to director Pamela Tom! She came to me last year for story consulting on Finding Home: A Foster Youth Story. The film won the Los Angeles Emmy in the Crime/Social Issues Category. She and her core team even got bring home statues! For transcribing services, Pam and many others like Temi. At .10 cents per minute, it features the ability to watch…
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How To Log Footage Quickly
October 1, 2019
Many thanks to the filmmakers who wrote to say they enjoyed my BlogTalkRadio episode about Accelerated Editing. One filmmaker, however, said he listened for thirty minutes and still hadn’t heard any tips for logging footage quickly. So, below are tips for what some consider the most tedious part of making a documentary! First a quick question. Does anyone recommend a particular software for transcribing interviews? Thanks in advance to my five talented editors for their contribution to these logging tips: First, if you have a lot of footage, avoid renaming your clips. That can make relinking media a nightmare if…
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Best Practices for Logging Footage + Editing Quickly
August 29, 2019
Last week I was interviewed by film fundraising guru Carole Dean. We’ve gotten close through the years, which made this hour-long BlogTalkRadio episode especially dynamic. We discussed best practices for logging footage quickly, fast-track editing, essential questions to ask during interviews, and fundraising mindset. We kicked off with my take on where the indie doc world is heading. Listen in here!
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Accelerated Editing on Blog Talk Radio
August 20, 2019
Tune in tomorrow to BlogTalkRadio to learn the benefits of accelerated editing for feature documentaries. I’ll be interviewed by Carole Dean, author of The Art of Film Funding. We’ll discuss: The pros (and cons) of accelerated post-productionHow a director’s mental health and mindset shifts during the editHow to fundraise for post-production Tune in WED, August 21, 2019 at 9 a.m. PST to BlogTalkRadio.
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Successful Rough Cut Screening, Part 2
August 5, 2019
Welcome to this second round of tips for holding a successful rough cut screening. If you missed it, read Part 1 here: Successful Rough Cut Screening, Part 1 Imagine…your test audience has just watched your rough cut. You have someone other than yourself taking notes so you can stay present. Another helper immediately hands out the questionnaires and pens. Quickly stand in front of your group, quietly thank them for their attention, and ask them to take 15-20 minutes to give their feedback on the questionnaires. Explain that this is an introspective time and that there will be a group…
Read More...Successful Rough Cut Screening, Part 1
July 31, 2019
This two-part guide will explain how to conduct a successful rough cut screening with your nerves intact. Who to Invite There are three types of people you should show your rough cut to: 1) experts on the topic who serve as your advisors; 2) seasoned documentary professionals, and 3) people representative of your film’s target audience. Each audience should be handled differently. This guide is geared more toward showing your film to a group of everyday people who will likely want to see your film when it’s released. But let me first say a word about the first two groups.…
Read More...How We Edit Quickly
January 14, 2019
One of the things we do best is edit great documentaries quickly—making the cost of finishing a film within reach for many producers. What’s our secret sauce? First, we get you to sift the chaff. By helping you see the narrative arc and major themes, we guide you or your assistants to cull the best 30 hours from your footage. This saves our editor time. Second, we drive fast because we know the terrain. With our Accelerated Post schedule, we’ll fast-track the industry’s conventional journey through Assembly Cut, Rough Cut(s), Fine Cut and Locked Picture. Normally these cuts can take…
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Documentary Editing Radio Show Now Available
August 21, 2018
I had a blast last week talking with film guru Carole Dean about documentary storytelling. Tune in to New Doc Storytelling: The Ultimate Guide to Editing. You can also download this Blog Talk Radio episode to listen to later. Highlights include how documentaries are scripted in the edit room, why character-driven docs are so popular, and how to avoid the biggest mistake filmmakers make.
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Radio Show Today on Documentary Editing
August 16, 2018
Interested in short cuts to editing great docs? Tune in live today to New Doc Storytelling: The Ultimate Guide to Editing. As a guest on Carole Dean’s Blog Talk Radio show, I’ll be teaching the art of cutting inspiring films. We’ll start at 10 a.m. Pacific time sharp! The episode will be available immediately after the show airs for those who missed hearing the live broadcast.
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FAQ About Editing Services
May 16, 2018
I frequently get asked about our editing services. So, I’ve compiled the top FAQ’s, starting with the most common: Can you please send me the names and clips of your editors? Eventually, yes. But first we’ll talk about your vision so I can determine which editor’s sensibility best fits your film. Then we’ll have a three-way conference call with the editor so you can feel out whether it’s a good match. Fit is so important to me that it comes before credentials. I’ll send resumes, clips, and testimonials after our three-way call so you can do your due diligence. What…
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