Why I Hired a Story Consultant

When I was editing my fifth documentary, I spent 18 months logging 200 hours of footage. Then I edited a 4-hour string out. But as I contemplated editing the Assembly Cut, I stared at the computer screen. It dawned on me that I’d already lost perspective. I no longer trusted myself to know what to keep and what to cut.

Of course, the right thing to do was to turn the project over to a seasoned documentary editor.  Ego-wise, I was ready to do that.  The problem was that at the time, in 2007, I didn’t have the $45,000 a good editor would require.  What to do?

That was fifteen years ago.  The idea of hiring a story consultant, someone to come in and “doctor” your ailing film, was just gaining popularity in the documentary world. 

I decided to ask editor Deborah Hoffmann for help. She had cut my favorite documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk. Alas, she was too busy. I asked again two months later and she said yes. 

Debbie and I talked twice per month, and she gave me feedback for each next cut. I quickly plowed through my Assembly, Rough Cut, Fine Cut and Locked Picture. With my beginner’s mind, I did everything she suggested, including cutting two beloved characters who weren’t adding anything new to the story.

Within seven weeks, the film was done. It got picked up for distribution, played at more than fifty film festivals, and screened on Netflix. 

How much did the story consulting process cost me?  About $5000.

These days I encourage filmmakers who are editing their own films to budget for six story consultations. One in pre-production (story conception), one in production stage (shooting), and one for each of the main stages of editing: Assembly Cut, Rough Cut, Fine Cut.

Read more about How a Story Consultant can help here.