The Art of Assembly: Intermediate Skills for Documentary Video Editing

This class is designed for filmmakers who have a basic understanding of video editing and want to dive deeper into the art and structure of documentary storytelling. Through discussion, demonstration, and hands-on practice, you’ll explore how to shape real stories with intention, emotion, and clarity.

What You’ll Learn:

1. 
   
2. The State of Documentary Filmmaking Today
   
   A brief overview of current trends and a refresher on editing fundamentals.
   
3. Organizing Footage & Finding the Story
   
   Learn how to use transcripts, research, and metadata to uncover narrative threads and structure your edit.
   
4. Shaping the Story (A-Roll)
   
   Explore how to build your core narrative using interviews, voiceovers, and primary footage.
   
5. Enhancing with Supporting Elements
   
   Learn how to incorporate music, b-roll, archival stills and footage, and stock assets to enrich your story.
   
6. Sound Design in Documentary Editing
   
   Understand how ambient sound, effects, and audio transitions contribute to tone and pacing.
   
7. Using Narration Effectively
   
   Discuss when and how narration can support or detract from your documentary’s message.
   
8. Polishing the Final Cut
   
   Learn how to finalize your edit with color correction, titles, and formatting deliverables for different platforms.
   

This class is ideal for editors working on short or feature-length documentaries who want to refine their workflow and storytelling techniques. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to shape compelling nonfiction narratives and prepare your work for distribution.

What to Bring:

• 
  
• Laptop with editing software installed. (We will not be providing access to editing software)
  
• Headphones
  
• (Optional) External Hard-drive
  
• (Optional) You can bring your own project footage, but sample footage will be provided for you if needed.
  

Meet your Instructor

Scott Spears has been working in film and video production for over forty years. He started out working with Super-8. He has shot over thirty one feature films, numerous short films, commercials and music videos. Scott is a two time Regional Emmy Award winner, first for his cinematography on the short film, “The Birthmark” which aired nationally on PBS and as a producer/director on the Underground Railroad documentary, “A Higher Law: The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858.” He teaches filmmaking at Ohio State University and has taught three other colleges.

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