How do you edit a documentary video differently than a fiction video?

Editing a documentary video typically involves a more fact-based and linear approach, focusing on storytelling through real events and interviews. In contrast, editing a fiction video allows for more creative freedom in shaping the narrative, with emphasis on character development, pacing, and visual storytelling techniques like montage or parallel editing. Additionally, documentary editing may require thorough fact-checking and adherence to ethical considerations, while fiction editing prioritizes coherence within the fictional world.

Editing a documentary differs from fiction by focusing on real events or narratives. Documentaries prioritize factual storytelling, using real footage and interviews, while fiction videos follow scripted narratives with staged scenes for storytelling.

Documentary and fiction are actually much more similar than people usually think at first glance. The biggest difference is that the fiction needs to create and make the audience believe in a new reality while a documentary needs to make the audience believe that it is all grounded in reality. But sometimes, documentaries create their own new reality as well and they need to convince the audience that it really exists. The key point here is to not to cross certain moral and ethical lines just to make the work ''better''. Spicing the narrative up with dramatization and added elements is all well and fine, bending the truth or hiding the crucial facts just to make the desired point so that it'll satisfy a certain group of people is not.

Por algo se dice que en el documental al momento de la edición se reescribe la historia. En los créditos de las películas documentales es normal que el editor aparezca también como guionista. A diferencia de la ficción, donde las intenciones se dictan desde el guion y la dirección en el rodaje, las cuales deben coincidir en espacio y tiempo al momento de la edición, con el orden lógico que dicta la cronología de la historia. El documental requiere de una edición creativa y propositiva, que, al tratar con la vida real, implica ética para lograr representaciones dignas, que además posean un valor narrativo y estético.

The difference between documentary and fiction videos is mainly based on their relationship with reality. A documentary video aims to tell something about the reality of our world, using factual evidence, interviews, observations, or archival footage. A fiction video, on the other hand, presents a story that is not based on reality, or at least not in the form it is represented, using actors, scripts, sets, or special effects.

So, let's say you got a documentary you need to edit. Now get ready for countless hours of watching and taking notes of boring interviews and uninspiring broll shots. Honestly, you need to cut more than %50 of all the footage that's been presented to you just to make a coherent and flowing narrative with good pacing. More often than not, most interviews will feature speeches about the same stuff with different sentences. But, just at the moment of giving up, out of the blue, an interviewee will give you THAT sentence you've been wishing for. A broll will give THAT amazing emotional expression and you'll thank for those hours of tedious work.

Unlike fiction videos, where the narrative is often pre-defined and scripted, documentaries demand that the editor discerns a compelling story from raw, unscripted footage. This requires a deep understanding of every interview, every shot, and every nuance present in the footage. The editing process thus becomes an act of discovery and creation, piecing together these elements to form a narrative that is truthful yet engaging. The editing style should be guided by the documentary's intent—whether it's to inform, persuade, or evoke emotion. This might mean choosing a more subtle, paced editing style for educational content or a dynamic, cut-heavy approach for exposés.

Editing a documentary differs significantly from fiction. Documentaries prioritize actuality, often utilizing non linear storytelling to convey real life narratives. Editing focuses on authenticity, using interviews, archival footage, and actual events. Fictional videos follow scripted narratives with linear storytelling, emphasizing character development and plot arcs. Documentaries involve meticulous fact checking and adhere closely to the truth, while fiction allows creative liberty in storytelling and editing sequences for dramatic effect.

Editing a documentary versus fiction video involves distinct approaches. Documentaries often use real footage and interviews, demanding a focus on factual storytelling, maintaining authenticity. Fiction videos allow creative freedom in storytelling, employing scripted scenes and staged shots. Documentaries may require more nonlinear editing, incorporating real-life narratives, while fiction videos follow a structured script, allowing for a linear editing process to craft the storyline.

Now, people outside of the industry (let's call them normies) usually think that the documentaries are just stuff the filmmakers shot and edited in a chronological, simple way just to show whatever or whoever the subject is. This is far from the truth. Story is the most important aspect of any kind of filmmaking. And usually, it is up to the editor to find and piece together that story hidden within the footage of a documentary. That's why some editors also get credit for script or story in a documentary. A documentary's story doesn't need to be anything flashy. What matters is to create an easy to follow and logical narrative about the subject with clearly conveyed themes and ideas neatly stacked together inside a firm structure.

As a documentary video editor, I know how crucial it is to craft a compelling narrative that engages the audience and conveys the message of the Documentary Video. Storytelling and structure are the key elements that help me achieve this goal. Storytelling is the art of creating story that makes the viewers care about the topic, characters, and the outcome of the Documentary. Structure is the way of organizing the story into a logical and coherent sequence that builds tension, suspense, and resolution. By using various techniques, such as B-roll footage, interviews, voice-overs, transitions, and effects, I can enhance the visual impact and emotional connection of the video.

Technically, recording voice over (V.O.) to the final cut is nearly the last step of editing a documentary. First, view the new footage filmed plus historical footage/photos to determine what will go into the video. Then, write a draft script that includes both V.O. and sync-sound footage (interview components, action with sound) to pull together your concept and visuals. Next, record a “scratch track” of the V.O. to which you edit your video (V. O. helps with pacing). Refine the edit for content and length, adjusting visuals until you have your best, tightest version. Create a final V.O. script. Determine where music cues go and record V.O., matching vocal expression and pacing to visuals. Edit V.O. and music, and finalize your video.