Lock In Your Documentary Structure
I hope you’re having a good week! First, a quick reminder that tomorrow is the last day to receive early-bird pricing for our next Inner Circle, which begins October 15th. Learn more at: https://newdocediting.com/land/innercircle/
Now onto the main question…how decisive are you feeling about your documentary’s structure?
Without a clear vision, your film is unlikely to get funded. And even if you manage to screen a completed documentary, viewers will squirm and then surrender in confusion if they can’t discern where you’re going–or at least have confidence that you know where you’re going!
Here are four steps for locking in your film’s structure. As I describe these steps, I’ll use examples from filmmakers who participated in our three most recent Inner Circle programs, and then invite you to check out the new Inner Circle that is beginning in two weeks, on October 15th.
The first step is to choose one of the proven contemporary “meta-structures” used by successful documentary filmmakers. (If you’re not sure what these templates are, see my home study course “The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary” at https://newdocediting.com/land/ultimate_documentary_guide).
You’ll want to customize this meta-structure to suit your film’s vision. For example, if you choose the classic three-act structure, you might decide to also weave in an essay that is structured around a central thesis. Our former Inner Circle member Greg Boozell chose this route for his historical documentary about progressive labor unions, “Who Killed Joe Sigler?”
Second, develop shot lists and interview questions that will provide the building blocks needed in the editing room. If, like our Inner Circle members Jill Orshel and Scott Ryan, your main character has embarked on a clearly defined quest, then you’ll want to identify the obstacles likely to arise in pursuit of the protagonist’s goal. Strategize how to capture these challenging situations on camera. Your film’s dramatic through-line depends on it.
Third, edit an assembly cut that includes a little footage from every scene and interview that you shot. From this clunky overview cut, discern which themes, characters and experts can be cut. Ask, for example, which voices duplicate other voices? Which lines of thought support my film’s thesis statement and which don’t (and can be cut)?
When our Inner Circle members Ronit Bezalel and Brenda Schumacher viewed their footage from this 50,000 foot view, they realized that their vision would be better served through an essay-style film than a character-driven film, so they wisely shifted gears. In addition, we collaborated to brainstorm graphics that would buttress the documentary’s intricate structure.
Fourth, in the highly creative rough-cut stage, experiment with and lock in the heavy structural lifting. For example, if you have a journey film, as does our former Inner Circle member Michael Beckelhimer, you’ll organize and finalize the steps along your protagonist’s geographical trek.
If your film involves character transformation, as does our Inner Circle member Kaoru Wang’s documentary “The Killer App”, then you’ll craft that transformation through structural devices such as the midpoint and a protagonist’s statement of transformation.
Finally, you’ve arrived at fine cut stage! Now it’s time for fun, finessing the details.
Locking in your documentary’s structure can take several months, but the process moves much faster with consistent editorial consultations and brainstorming sessions.
Accordingly, I’ve built these strategy checkpoints into our 6-month Inner Circle program. You’ll receive monthly Mastermind coaching calls, an accountability partner, three in-depth story consultations from me, and more.
Our upcoming Inner Circle begins October 15, 2011. I’m offering five filmmakers the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers and a professional story consultant to develop and finalize their documentary’s structure.
Since our recently ended Inner Circle sold out, please e-mail me today if you are interested. Our early bird pricing ends tomorrow, September 30th. Learn more at https://newdocediting.com/land/innercircle/
