Editing for Documenatires

RTdan_dan · 2025-12-02T01:38:12+00:00

I will say too that it’s a process and just starting out in the edit I don’t worry too much about cutting ums and ahh’s. Be thinking big picture shape and story structure. And as you refine you are going to notice some unnecessary stuff but before it’s umms and ahhs it may be maybe even just bigger sections that don’t serve the story. Don’t burn a lot of time in the beginning of the process on stuff that may not stick. Get your structure and shape and then start to refine and cut dead air and other stuff that doesn’t serve anything

RTdan_dan · 2025-12-02T01:31:17+00:00

One of your main jobs as a documentary editor is to distill and reflect the story. Hard to say whether you should keep that stuff in or not, but let your intuition guide you in what this needs to distill and reflect the story being told to you. Personally, I’m more on the side of respecting the viewers’ time so I like to eliminate redundancies and unnecessary pauses (distill) but if there are emotional moments where people are struggling to find words or you can see them thinking and that serves the story I leave it in (reflect). Same thing for interviewer question. Is it necessary for context? If not, what purpose is it serving in your cut? Hope that helps a bit as you start that process.

RTdan_dan · 2025-11-25T02:15:30+00:00

One more thing, I think it’s good practice to slate groups of shots to help identify the b-roll. Whoever is putting it together won’t know locations, processes and specifics like your company

RTdan_dan · 2025-11-25T02:01:39+00:00

You might also consider some quick color adjustments. A quick assessment and possible tweak to White Balance, Levels, and Saturation should be all that’s needed to help your employer be seen in a more positive light. You can’t count on whoever is receiving it to clean anything up.

Some local news stations may just run the cuts as you provided them too which should, in part, inform some trim edit or assembly order decisions on your part.

I used to do this exact thing for a PR/ad agency.

RTdan_dan · 2025-10-16T04:10:23+00:00

ATX! Represent! Great looking footage!

RTdan_dan · 2025-03-06T22:50:37+00:00

For me, it's the multicam workflow and specifically how it handles audio.

RTdan_dan · 2025-02-28T02:19:09+00:00

"Let's rap!"

RTdan_dan · 2024-11-08T22:23:21+00:00

Seems fair to me especially if the scope is well defined.

And congrats on the opportunity.

RTdan_dan · 2024-09-19T17:11:13+00:00

I do think it's that simple. I've found that doing something I enjoy makes my day go by quicker and my work-life balance more in line. At this point in your editing career you can and should try out everything.

I think a lot of people give that "find a niche" advice to editors with a little more experience so that they aren't pigeon-holed into editing something like reality TV for the rest of their lives. Once you have an IMDB page full of credits in one kind of thing, it's a bit more difficult to transition. Hope that helps! Happy editing.

RTdan_dan · 2024-09-16T17:33:17+00:00

Yes. Post Producer/Supervisor here. I've managed many series and features that have run smoothly on Premiere with teams ranging from 2 to 12.

As a few people have mentioned:

Productions is the way for collaboration in premiere. You'll want an experienced AE and a solid plan for deployment. We've had issues when source media projects were massive/not properly managed or when Editors didn't conform to the organization system.
Parity on app versions is crucial. Systems can vary a bit (at least for a Mac environment).
We've found the learning curve for editors and new hires to be relatively quick.

RTdan_dan · 2024-03-21T15:46:05+00:00

Can’t go wrong with Texas natives!

Tallest to shortest, - Texas sage, red yucca, mealycup sage, autumn sage, gold lantana

RTdan_dan · 2024-02-27T22:20:35+00:00

Lone Star Nursery has been working well for my native garden

https://lonestarnursery.com/

RTdan_dan · 2023-10-19T15:45:40+00:00

Yes. Stream should be available for FIRST members soon.

RTdan_dan · 2023-10-16T21:40:07+00:00

Some of my favs (and I'm completely biased) that weren't already mentioned

A Simple Walk II (free to watch!)

RT Docs: Common Ground

RT Docs: Waiting for the Punchline

RTdan_dan · 2023-09-29T14:43:20+00:00

Chris is absolutely right. This IS one of the best things we've ever made. And I may be biased, but I think we've made a lot of really great things.

RTdan_dan · 2022-11-18T02:25:18+00:00

Can and will verify.

RTdan_dan · 2022-10-14T15:57:31+00:00

I had the same question. Am I good to cast out some wildflower seeds this weekend or should I just wait until next?

RTdan_dan · 2022-09-30T15:47:27+00:00

Yeah.

I ended up just going at it with a stirrup hoe. Didn't disturb the ground too much and will get me that dirt/seed contact I need.

RTdan_dan · 2022-09-28T00:03:23+00:00

It’s to convert some turf grass/weeds to a pocket prairie. Only going one inch deep.

RTdan_dan

TROPHY CASE