The Practical Guide to Documentary Editing

Workflow Summary

We have now covered all of the processes and systems involved in editing a documentary.

We have discussed basic organisational skills, narrative structure and the practicalities of editing a picture sequence, including the function of sound design and music. We have also explored the methods by which we can further improve our film and the essential interpersonal skills one requires to be successful. These are the primary functions of the film editor’s job.

I have one penultimate and important point to emphasise. Thus far I have explained the process of editing a picture sequence in the following order: pictures first, then sound design and finally music. To be clear: I chose to set out matters in this way in the hope that ...