Foundations of Documentary Editing - How to Edit Scenes Like A Pro

Film & Animation

Introduction

Creating a compelling film involves more than just stitching together random shots—it's about crafting scenes that convey a story and evoke emotion. Lewis Gordon, a professional editor, discusses the intricacies of scene editing in this comprehensive guide.

Importance of Scenes

Every film is essentially a collection of scenes organized to tell a story, progressing from the beginning to the end. For documentary editors, understanding how to build out scenes is especially critical because these scenes are essential for character development and emotional impact.

Often, documentarians may default to creating montages accompanied by voice-over narration. While montages are enjoyable and can be effective, they can quickly overwhelm the audience if overused. They risk losing the depth of character and emotional storytelling that detailed scene editing provides. Therefore, the objective should be to build as many meaningful scenes as possible, using montages sparingly and strategically.

Macro and Micro Perspectives

Macro Perspective

Looking at scenes from a macro perspective means understanding how they fit into the larger story arc. Each scene should have a clear intention—either to progress the story or to provide vital information that deepens the audience's understanding.

  1. Progression Scenes: These scenes may show character actions that signify the passage of time, like training montages in a sports documentary.
  2. Information Scenes: These reveal critical emotional reactions and character insights, such as a character reflecting on a significant event.

To keep the audience engaged and prevent monotony, varying the intentions of the scenes is crucial. Contrasting different types of scenes creates focus and keeps the story intriguing.

Micro Perspective

From a more granular, micro perspective, scenes have a standard formula. Understanding this can help editors construct scenes effectively:

  1. Intro: Establish the setting and provide context for the scene.
  2. Setup: Build upon the introduction with additional medium shots and dialogue to set the stage.
  3. Punch Line/Button: This is the climactic moment of the scene where the intention is revealed. It must be striking and clear to your audience.
  4. Out: Conclude the scene quickly after the punch line, allowing for smooth transitions into subsequent scenes.

Developing a scene is much like writing a joke. The punch line should deliver the intended impact, and lingering after the climax can dilute the effect, much like a joke that goes on too long.

Example of Scene Building

To illustrate these principles, Gordon breaks down an early assembly of a scene featuring a character named Wesley. The scene introduces Wesley in Flagstaff, Arizona, focusing on his inner thoughts and experiences.

  • An establishing shot shows his home, immediately setting up context.
  • The setup reveals Wesley's actions, such as making chai, which hints at his heritage.
  • The punch line comes through his voice-over, where he expresses disbelief at becoming a professional runner.
  • The scene ends with a smooth transition to the next part of the story.

Conclusion

Editing scenes in a documentary involves both broad strokes and fine details. Understanding the macro and micro aspects of scenes helps enhance emotional depth and character storytelling. By balancing progression and information in scenes and using a structured approach, editors can craft compelling narratives that engage audiences effectively.

Keywords

documentary editing, scene editing, macro perspective, micro perspective, progression scenes, information scenes, storytelling, emotional depth, establishing shot, punch line

FAQ

Q1: What is the significance of scenes in documentary editing?
A1: Scenes are vital as they are the building blocks of the film, creating emotional depth and character development.

Q2: Why should I avoid overusing montages in documentaries?
A2: Montages can overwhelm an audience and may lack emotional depth that well-constructed scenes provide.

Q3: What are the key components of building a scene?
A3: A scene typically comprises an intro, setup, punch line, and out.

Q4: How can contrasting scene intentions keep an audience engaged?
A4: Varying scene intentions creates focus and intrigue, preventing monotony in storytelling.

Q5: What should I remember when editing the out of a scene?
A5: Exit a scene quickly after delivering the punch line to maintain the momentum and flow into the next scene.