【Recording Place】#13

In this week, we are doing the Rough Cut part, here is the planning of our work:

Cut up. Break down interviews and other longer things into manageable segments. This can be done in final cut by marking when someone goes onto a new topic.

Lay out interviews in order in the timeline. On top of this start putting appropriate shots.

Slash cut. Put all your footage in order on the timeline without doing any editing.

Find tempo music for you to edit to.

Rough cut. Start cutting.

Work out why you are procrastinating:

• If you are not satisfied with the structure, create a beat sheet for your documentary and brainstorm what doesn’t work.
• Analyze the structure of similar documentaries. With editing, it’s easier to get lost in the small details. By analyzing similar documentaries it can make you think creatively about it again. With longer documentaries, unless you have a presenter, it is common to have a parallel narrative.
• Do you find it unpleasant? If so, write down why.
• Do you feel overwhelmed by the task? If so, break it down into more manageable chunks.
• Are you disorganized? If so, write down why.
• Are you a perfectionist? Don’t go for perfect. Instead, go for what is achievable. Rough cuts are only rough, so just do it and don’t try to make it perfect.
• Go for a walk. A gentle stroll helps you to reflect.
• Work under time restrictions.

Grading. Colour correct your documentary to achieve continuity between different cameras and achieve a particular mood.