Editing-Storytelling techniques

Tore B. Krudtaa · July 28th, 2010, 02:33 AM

Hi

I'm about to create a short documentary with a friend of mine.
It's about informing the public about a political agenda that is hidden for most people in norway, but eventually this issue will affect all people in our country. So the documentary is both for educating / give information to the masses as well as (hopefully) put pressure on the officials that makes the decisions.

What I'm looking for now is to find out how to tell this story. What kind of editing, storytelling technique I want to use.

Is there some place where I online can watch different editing techniques used, where these techniques are discussed and where the different techniques are organized in categories so it easy to browse and find something I can learn from?

Mitch Hunt · July 28th, 2010, 10:38 AM

When trying to persuade or inform on a sensitive subject, it is best to start with generally accepted or acceptable facts or examples then at the end draw up a conclusion based on what has been said (inductive reasoning). If the statement was bluntly stated at the beginning, people might put up their guard and stop watching or just choose not to believe. Start out softly then gradually build up to your ending statement. Try to have the audience follow along and make the same conclusions you do.

Tore B. Krudtaa · July 28th, 2010, 11:27 AM

The reason for me posting this was to see if someone could give me links to forums, threads, sites that are focused on the art of documentary storytelling techniques.

Where various techniques are discussed and kind of browsable ... by example...

I appreciate the tips you gave me... but I'm more after something to look at... to learn... a place where storytelling/editing techniques --- (for documentaries) are discussed and displayed....

The best (for me) would be to find a website that discuss this, and that have a bunch of shorts that demonstrates the different techniques... hopefully shorts by category (storytelling - editing techniques)...

I belive the only way to find something that works is to:

- Either do it by trial and error... (which take a wicked long time)
- Look at what others have done and learn from it... (but without having to randomy find stuff on www or TV that interests me...)

Do not know if that made it any clearer though... :)

Would be cool if there was a special forum for this here.

Any suggestions... anybody.

Gregory Gesch · July 28th, 2010, 06:05 PM

Hi Tore. There is a Documentary Forum here at this site:
Documentary Techniques Forum at DVinfo.net
You came to the right place.

Khalil Ismail · July 29th, 2010, 08:36 PM

Here another things you can watch. But keep in mind that a well written story is a key for any film regardless of what type and keep Mitch advice, it is very important. I shut off many films and that turn out to be very good with a bad first 5 minutes. something has to grab your audience. Good Luck

Hulu - Search

Tore B. Krudtaa · July 30th, 2010, 01:28 AM

Thanks for the feedbacks

I tried the "Hulu search" link, but unfortunately it was only available to those browsing from the US.
Otherwise that would be a good start.

If anyone else has links to online "banks" with documentaries, please post them here.

Khalil Ismail · July 31st, 2010, 01:50 PM

Make Your Own Documentary Film: 10 Easy Steps from Conceptualization to Completion
How to Make a Documentary | eHow.com
How to Write a Documentary | eHow.com
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files...ary_script.pdf
'Do It Again,' a fan documentary on the Kinks, screens at Cinefamily tonight | Pop & Hiss | Los Angeles Times

July 28th, 2010, 02:33 AM	#1
Tore B. Krudtaa New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17	Editing-Storytelling techniques - Questions Hi I'm about to create a short documentary with a friend of mine. It's about informing the public about a political agenda that is hidden for most people in norway, but eventually this issue will affect all people in our country. So the documentary is both for educating / give information to the masses as well as (hopefully) put pressure on the officials that makes the decisions. What I'm looking for now is to find out how to tell this story. What kind of editing, storytelling technique I want to use. Is there some place where I online can watch different editing techniques used, where these techniques are discussed and where the different techniques are organized in categories so it easy to browse and find something I can learn from?

July 28th, 2010, 11:27 AM	#3
Tore B. Krudtaa New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17	Thanks for replying The reason for me posting this was to see if someone could give me links to forums, threads, sites that are focused on the art of documentary storytelling techniques. Where various techniques are discussed and kind of browsable ... by example... I appreciate the tips you gave me... but I'm more after something to look at... to learn... a place where storytelling/editing techniques --- (for documentaries) are discussed and displayed.... The best (for me) would be to find a website that discuss this, and that have a bunch of shorts that demonstrates the different techniques... hopefully shorts by category (storytelling - editing techniques)... I belive the only way to find something that works is to: - Either do it by trial and error... (which take a wicked long time) - Look at what others have done and learn from it... (but without having to randomy find stuff on www or TV that interests me...) Do not know if that made it any clearer though... :) Would be cool if there was a special forum for this here. Any suggestions... anybody.

July 29th, 2010, 08:36 PM	#5
Khalil Ismail Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm Desert California Posts: 42	I second Mitch response Here another things you can watch. But keep in mind that a well written story is a key for any film regardless of what type and keep Mitch advice, it is very important. I shut off many films and that turn out to be very good with a bad first 5 minutes. something has to grab your audience. Good Luck Hulu - Search

July 31st, 2010, 01:50 PM	#7
Khalil Ismail Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm Desert California Posts: 42	Here you go Make Your Own Documentary Film: 10 Easy Steps from Conceptualization to Completion How to Make a Documentary \| eHow.com How to Write a Documentary \| eHow.com http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files...ary_script.pdf 'Do It Again,' a fan documentary on the Kinks, screens at Cinefamily tonight \| Pop & Hiss \| Los Angeles Times

July 28th, 2010, 10:38 AM	#2
Mitch Hunt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Broken Bow, NE Posts: 145	When trying to persuade or inform on a sensitive subject, it is best to start with generally accepted or acceptable facts or examples then at the end draw up a conclusion based on what has been said (inductive reasoning). If the statement was bluntly stated at the beginning, people might put up their guard and stop watching or just choose not to believe. Start out softly then gradually build up to your ending statement. Try to have the audience follow along and make the same conclusions you do.

July 28th, 2010, 06:05 PM	#4
Gregory Gesch Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 114	Hi Tore. There is a Documentary Forum here at this site: Documentary Techniques Forum at DVinfo.net You came to the right place.

July 30th, 2010, 01:28 AM	#6
Tore B. Krudtaa New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17	Thanks for the feedbacks I tried the "Hulu search" link, but unfortunately it was only available to those browsing from the US. Otherwise that would be a good start. If anyone else has links to online "banks" with documentaries, please post them here.