Story Consulting
Keep Your Viewers Glued to the Screen
Karen Everett provides insightful, in-depth and compassionate story consulting at any stage of filmmaking.
See IMDb Credits for Karen Everett
In the three lists below, you’ll find specific examples of how she provides editorial perspective on projects in development, production and/or post-production.
If you want written notes (optional but highly recommended), you can receive timecode-specific, actionable feedback directly into your transcript–assuming you’re at rough cut stage.
To get a sense of what a real story consultation is like, drop into an episode on our podcast, The Art of Documentary Storytelling!
See rates here.
Story Consultation for Pre-Production
Before the cameras roll, we can help you to:
- Evaluate and refine your documentary concept for timeliness, interest, affordability, visual appeal, etc.
- Trouble-shoot issues related to legal, budget, access, structure
- Identify the film's ideological themes and central narrative theme.
- Help craft an elevator pitch, log line, short synopsis, and one-sheet (a film-industry documentary that explains your film’s concept)
- Structural outline
- Preliminary shot list
- Discuss character transformation
Story Consultation for Production
While you’re shooting, we can help you:
- Evaluate the production values of key footage
- Analysis of structure, starting with the inciting incident and climax scenes
- Examine potential for crafting the four steps of Character Transformation
- Interview tips, including techniques to elicit Protagonist’s Statement of Transformation
- Identify and troubleshoot specific storytelling problems
- Coaching on preparing for Post-production
Story Consultation for Post - Production
We offer two levels of story consulting on cuts: Initial Full Consultation and Follow Up Consultations
Level 1: Initial Full Story Consultation
- Adaptation of screenwriting principles to real-life stories
- Analysis of tone to attract wider audiences
- Stylistic recommendations for improving visual appeal
- Structure character transformation to convey the film’s theme
- Detailed feedback about your specific concerns
- 90-minute recorded, personal phone consultation
- Plan for next steps in editing
- 7-10 pages of written notes with timecode-specific comments (optional)
- 2-3 hour "Live Commentary Video" of your cut with insert of Karen commenting on what’s working and what’s not (optional)
- Edit efficiently, with clear objectives for Assembly Cut, Rough Cuts, Fine Cut and Locked Picture
Level Two: Follow Up Story Consultations (Initial Full Consultation required)
- Assess effectiveness of specific solutions implemented since last consultation
- Specific attention given to remaining areas of concern
- If applicable, give suggestions for rewriting narration and/or title cards
- Recommendations for cutting more repetitive or unnecessary material
- Suggestions to improve overall watch-ability
- Ideas for pacing with music and micro-edits
- Recorded, personal phone consultation
- Optional written notes with time-code specific commentary (optional)
Karen’s review energized me! I am back in the flow and happy I opted for the complete critique. The time-coded notes are an invaluable resource. Her feedback is insightful, thorough, and easy to follow. I can see the finish line, and I’m thrilled at how the film is shaping up!