Embracing Uncertainty: The Art of Video Editing

To see more of my thoughts go here - https://youtu.be/dzRx98eBFcs

I have been editing documentary film and now video for more than 60 years. I'd call it a core competence of mine. And I've taught it to many other folks, not just editors, who are trying to figure out how to deal with something that is like a puzzle where you can't see the end when you start to work, but as things evolve, they become more clear. I post this now in the hopethat it will help others in their creative efforts, whatever they may be.

Editing a documentary is often described as piecing together a complex puzzle, whereas editing fiction tends to follow a more defined script.

Almost always there isn’t a fully developed script going in. The story emerges from hours of footage, interviews, and real-life events, requiring the editor to craft a narrative by selecting and arranging scenes that highlight the intended themes and messages. Fiction editors work with a set script and structured storyline, making their work more about timing, continuity, and enhancing performances within a pre-determined arc.

Documentary editors need to be selective, often relying on intuition to find moments that genuinely convey the essence of the story. Since many documentaries accumulate hundreds of hours of footage, identifying which moments are “real” and most impactful requires a skilled eye. Fiction film editors focus more on enhancing what’s on the page, adjusting takes for dramatic effect, but they have less flexibility in reshaping the story itself since it’s usually already fully developed in pre-production.

Documentary editors play a co-creative role with the director, often discovering the narrative together. The editor’s decisions can significantly change the story’s tone, perspective, and message. Fiction film editors can influence the film’s pacing and emotional beats, their role typically involves fine-tuning rather than inventing the story.

When editing a documentary pacing is variable and needs to adapt to the unfolding story, often balancing between exposition and storytelling without a strict timeline. In a fiction film continuity and timing are crucial to create a seamless, believable narrative, as the structure is already established in the script.

Editing a documentary involves ethical considerations in representing real events or people truthfully while shaping a compelling story. Editors have to balance storytelling with respecting the subjects’ authentic portrayal. I must be honest and say that for me, making a great story came first and be absolutely accurate with a second consideration. Of course in a fiction film, ethical considerations are less pressing in fiction, as characters and events are imaginary.

A documentary editor's role demands intuition, creativity, and ethical judgment to piece together a story that is both engaging and true to reality. In contrast, a fiction film editor focuses more on storytelling mechanics within an established framework, bringing life to the director’s and screenwriter's vision.

Видео Embracing Uncertainty: The Art of Video Editing канала David Hoffman