Phase 3: Genre & Voice
Week 28 of 52 · Day 190–196
Documentary Editing — Interview Cutting
Learning Objective
Practice editing a short interview sequence.
This Week
The interview is the primary building block of most documentary films. The editor must take a long, rambling interview and cut it down to its essential story, preserving the most compelling moments of genuine emotion and insight. This requires a deep sensitivity to performance and a clear understanding of the narrative you are trying to tell.
Daily Practice
Take a 10-minute interview (from YouTube or your own footage) and practice cutting it down to 2 minutes, preserving the essential story. (45–60 min)
Weekly Challenge
Edit a 2-minute documentary interview sequence, cutting a 10-minute interview down to its essence. Every word should earn its place.