EDITING DOCUMENTARIES

Below are a some of the aspects to consider when editing a documentary:

Pace - This can be your editing style or the how the film flows. Pace in films can be used in various ways, fast for action scenes and slow for dramatical scenes. Knowing the importance helps you understand the pace.

Not scripted / not planned - Documentaries are not scripted like feature films. You have to try and create your own story from the footage you have. It is a non liner process.

Mood or emotion - Documentaries focus mainly on a subject and you have to establish that character and create an emotion that the audiences can relate to. Moments of truth tend have to a good effect and consider different ways of approaching this.

Manipulation - Sometimes you have to be careful with story. How much honest are you going to be and consider the moral ethics of the themes.

Order - Try to have an order (start, middle and end)

Multiple stories - Multiple stories can be made from one documentary. Try to find an interesting one to tell with the footage you have.

Director / editor contribution - Work with the director and another editor (if there are two editors).

Audio / video - Both audio and video are very important. Find interesting ways to combine the two. If you use voice overs, consider the images that go along with it.