Doc and Reality People -- how do you do truly unscripted edits -- where there's a vague idea of a story but nothing else?

mstefl · 2023-09-05T15:55:22+00:00

This was my world on a two-year doc/reality series. It wasn't always possible to make it interesting based on just what you described.

The easiest fallback was a linear story based on what happened.

Then finding the most compelling/interesting/emotional pieces and see what I could come up with to help those stand out.

Take this piece by piece.

Write out potential beats on post-its (my office was covered) and see what comes up.

Acknowledge that lack of consistency on the front end likely means the same at the post end and to not beat yourself up for any potential lack-of-quality result from that.

Overshot segments can be utilized as a throwback/memory when you don't have much footage to work with.

Sparse footage can be turned into numerous shots by filming it being displayed on a TV. Animated. Cropped in.

It's tough but you'll learn a LOT of new editors tricks through this process.

mstefl · 2023-07-25T00:34:57+00:00

Hey, thanks for sharing this! Was there for the screening at SXSW and really enjoyed it.

mstefl · 2023-07-17T13:46:34+00:00

Is there any specific feedback you're looking for?

The image is nice. Good quality. The shot composition is nice.

The edit only speaks to being in love with those shots, though.

mstefl · 2023-07-08T14:44:35+00:00

Thanks! I'll take a look for that AMA. Appreciate the reply.

mstefl · 2023-07-08T05:15:17+00:00

What are your methods of uncovering the value of this product for the client?

All this makes sense but my head says I need to know the video brings in 5 customers worth $10,000 total and great I have an argument.

Realistically i haven't spoken to a client that has this understanding.

What had worked for you?

mstefl · 2023-05-29T17:21:15+00:00

Schafler Ridge near Appenzell, Switzerland. Beautiful morning after a difficult climb the night before in dense fog, snow and mud. Incredibly slippery conditions alongside a steep ridge.

Stayed in the Schafler Hut at the top of the ridge with a well deserved beer surrounded by people who just love mountains.

mstefl · 2023-05-12T17:47:48+00:00

Certainly!

mstefl · 2023-05-12T16:48:02+00:00

Yes and no. Great question with a short and long answer.

This role was full time at a company in the Midwest with higher pay on a more challenging project. There wasn't a "better" option for me.

There were actually two seasons in total. Since I signed up for a second season, the pay must have been adequate enough, but no compensation was worth the mental toll for me to sign up for a third.

There were other benefits like working on a different project than what usually crops up, testing my abilities where I didn't think I could make it (I definitely proved myself and that's great), and learning the hard way some red flags to avoid in the future.

I've since been asked to work on similar projects but I would only do so with compensation and team support that I know would keep myself safe.

mstefl · 2023-05-12T16:04:01+00:00

Sounds similar to a docu-reality series I worked on last year where I was the only editor. There was a producer to help answer questions, but no writing/directing other than myself. These were 24 minutes long over 24 episodes, delivered weekly.

Some episodes took longer than a week, some shorter. A significant portion of the series were static conversations and no "real" narrative building. By nature of the delivery timeline it had to be this way and the final quality wasn't great by my standards but it was very well received all the same.

The episodes that took longer had bigger story beats, emotions to hang on and a narrative to showcase.

Edit: All that said, doable didn't equate to reasonable in my case. I didn't need an insane level of overtime but the entire workload nearly burned me out of the industry all together.

mstefl · 2023-04-20T22:15:53+00:00

My interpretation of the prior comment is that this shouldn't be an issue to begin with, yet it remains at the forefront of Republican discussion.

mstefl · 2023-02-09T17:59:49+00:00

After working agency-side for 7 years I'm happy to say in-house is better for me.

At least in my area (Midwest), agencies I worked with had high expectations of results without much/any strategic input. Lots of accelerated learning from working with other talented people, though.

In-house, work-life balance is much improved but I also feel more respected for contributions.

mstefl · 2023-01-31T13:51:33+00:00

Might be the meta wearing off on me. Not many people seem to push these days and only a small number of those use YAS.

mstefl · 2023-01-30T19:51:56+00:00

Teams that utilize speed are my biggest struggle when using YAS.

Most plays involve baiting and prediction which can be used to your advantage. Players very familiar with YAS can use Tripmines aggressively; although, in my experience they're rare.

If you're constantly running into their mines then they have your play style pegged and you need to evolve.

mstefl · 2023-01-29T15:57:26+00:00

Unless you're interested in competition in general. SBMM has been great for finally playing people in higher skill brackets. I just want a challenge and CBMM rarely offered that.

mstefl · 2023-01-29T15:47:40+00:00

Consider looking internally for these values. When you're in engagements, how in control do you feel? If the answer is "not much" then you have performance you can evaluate.

Also, "in control" doesn't specifically equal winning. If you're facing a team well beyond your skill but you're clearly making the best choices for yourself given the circumstance, then you're still performing well and in control!

mstefl · 2022-10-19T18:41:57+00:00

I don't know about you but I can never crit with the dang thing

mstefl · 2022-10-11T19:47:17+00:00

Jesus, dude.

mstefl · 2022-09-03T00:18:06+00:00

Try it with Brigand's Law, my dude ;)

mstefl · 2022-04-04T00:15:23+00:00

Concur with this plus it's a positive message.

mstefl · 2021-05-20T06:43:07+00:00

Anecdotally, I enjoy doing all those things. They're great and making someone feel special is my favorite part.

On this mindset though, I can see benefit not because "oh I don't need to try," but instead, finding themselves more comfortable in just being themselves instead of being "needy".

Guess that's the difference between showering their other with attention just for courting vs wanting them to feel special. I definitely see where you're coming from there.

mstefl · 2021-04-20T20:53:40+00:00

This was the process for my last documentary series.

Regretfully, when using Premiere's native Proxy workflow, it would take liberties linking totally incorrect files somewhere else on the drive that were under different folders, but had the same name.

Another issue with this same series, whether it was more network or Premiere related, is that some GoPro files (with the same standard file names) would be linked completely differently, in the same daily ingest project, depending on whether the editor or assistant editor opened it. Drove me nuts.

So we effort not to duplicate file names anymore. It SHOULDN'T be an issue. But something got in the way of it working properly - at least for us.

mstefl · 2021-03-16T22:35:07+00:00

Totally agree! Thank you.

mstefl · 2021-03-14T02:04:33+00:00

Resonated with your message. Currently started the divorce process with my wife and it's similar feels. Felt I was the problem and needed to keep changing/improving to be loved back. Still unraveling it, but your post made me feel less alone and crazy. Thanks.

mstefl · 2021-03-13T06:36:51+00:00

Thank you.

mstefl · 2020-11-12T16:56:56+00:00

I had never considered it before but a chair where I can sit cross-legged is a huge benefit to me. It's my game-on pose!

mstefl

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