In no medium is the editor more crucial to a project’s artistic success than in documentaries. The doc editor has to sift through hundred of hours of footage to build a dramatic story arc that typically plays out in two hours or less.

Documentary editor Jacob Bricca, ACE interviewed some of the best documentary editors working today—including Kate Amend (The Keepers, The Case Against 8), Geoff Richman (The Cove, Sicko) and Mary Lampson (Harlan County U.S.A.)—for his book “Documentary Editing: Principles and Practice.” He’ll share some of their techniques in this special seminar. Topics covered will include how to use the select reel process to get the most out of your footage; how to use narrative elements to inspire curiosity and build satisfying scenes; how to manage the presence of the filmmaker and edit scenes to give the feeling of invisibility; and working with pauses to build emotionally satisfying moments.

About the speaker

Jacob Bricca is an award-winning documentary editor, director and teacher. He has edited over a dozen feature docs including the international theatrical hit Lost in La Mancha, the New Yorker Films theatrical release Con Artist, the Independent Lens Audience Award Winner Jimmy Scott: If Only You Knew and the 2016 Sundance Special Jury Award Winner The Bad Kids. His directing credits include Pure, which premiered at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival, and Finding Tatanka, which premiered at the 2014 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. A member of American Cinema Editors, his book “Documentary Editing: Principles and Practice” was published by Focal Press in January. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film and Television.

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