Documentary Editing Techniques – The Pretitle
Capturing the audience's attention in the first moments of your documentary film is like striking cinematic gold. It's the instant verdict – will they be on the edge of their seats or contemplating a swift escape? As a documentary editor navigating the intricacies of the cutting room, I've learned that the documentary pretitle isn't just a checkbox in the post-production marathon. It's the vibrant, often underestimated cornerstone that can transform these opening minutes into a gripping journey. Don't push it to the 'we'll do it at the end' pile – those initial moments hold the power to shape, captivate and inject the perfect amount of excitement into your film. So here are a few documentary editing techniques for the pretitle.
1) The Lead In
This is the ‘open your eyes’ moment. It’s that scene that encapsulates the film. Picture it as the unveiling, where a character appears or a breathtaking landscape unfolds, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative.
I have adopted this lead in technique before in an observational documentary I edited entitled ‘Bowery.’ It focused on the interweaving stories of several homeless in Manhattan who were filmed over the course of a year. Rather than dive headfirst into the chronological beginning, I chose a more cinematic approach. I felt that the strongest way to begin the film was to gradually enter into the world of one of the central characters ‘Dolla.’ We hear the sound of a lift, then there is a fade into a shot from behind of Dolla as he arrives onto the street level, the doors open and Dolla travels to his normal spot, where he morphs into the unofficial traffic conductor, engaging with everyone he encounters. It's not just a scene; it's an immersion, a deliberate entry into a world that demands your attention and empathy. In the realm of documentaries, how you start is the gateway to how you'll be engaged.
Dolla’s accompanying voice-over gives the viewer an insight into who he is “I got married at 19, my wife was 28… 38 - year marriage. I lost my wife, I buried her, I lost a best friend, a good friend and my heart. I’ve been here two and a half years, I started hustling in the street, doing the traffic. I talk to people that don’t talk to nobody. I hustle for those who cannot make it. How to make something out of nothing. The birds don’t worry so why should you?”
You can watch the opening few minutes here on Amazon Prime.
An observational documentary focusing on the stories of several Americans as they survive on the streets of New York
2) The Highlights Moment
The next documentary editing technique for a pretitle is the highlights moment. It’s the glossy sprint through the punchiest interview soundbytes, the most beautiful or striking imagery that create a mini three-act structure. Think of it as a condensed, sneak peek into the core of your programme or film, a whirlwind tour that might even wrap up with a lingering question, adding that extra layer of intrigue.
This can be incredibly creative where you can work with sound effects and music effectively to push through that story. In the world of television editing, where time is a precious commodity, you're acutely aware of the fixed duration, forcing you to distill the essence of your story. It all starts with a simple question: “What is the story about and what journey are we inviting the viewer to embark upon?”
I’ve previously adopted this documentary pretitle editing technique in a documentary film I edited - Fanny:The Other Mendelssohn. The film opens in Buckingham Palace, the site of an infamous incident involving Queen Victoria, Felix Mendelssohn and a revelation about a musical masterpiece penned by his sister, Fanny. The pretitle swiftly transforms into a selection of key voices from the film unraveling the layers of Fanny Mendelssohn's relatively unknown musical genius. As the pretitle crescendos, the viewer is left with a clear understanding that they're about to dive into a cinematic excavation of Fanny's extraordinary legacy.
Here are some excerpts from this pretitle:-
Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn Part A
Currently available to watch here via Curzon Home Cinema
3) The Cold Open
The third documentary editing technique for a pretitle is the cold open.
It's not a gradual introduction; it's a leap into the unknown that jolts you into the film. Whether it's a chase, a hospital scene, or the climax of a sporting event—think a goal scored or an electrifying performance—it's a scene that unfolds without a vast amount of context. You find yourself in a new arena, captivated and craving answers.
This technique, is known as the cold open. These usually ‘appear’ to the documentary editor during the course of the assembly edit, when you find that gem of a scene that you know will really sync with the curiosity of the viewer.
A clear example of this is the documentary currently on Netflix - Halftime. The documentary opens up with a short insert featuring a birthday party for Jennifer Lopez. It's not just a celebration; it's a declaration. We hear briefly from her and she ends the scene with “I really feel like my life is just beginning” which then launches the film.
A Makemake & Nuyorican Productions & Twenty Five/Seven Productions & Universal Television Alternative Studios Production for Netflix
Another example of an effective cold open pretitle is from Couples Therapy currently on the BBC iPlayer. This television series is a Showtime original and it focuses on several couples who are undergoing therapy with Dr Orna Guralnik. At times the programme starts with a recap, other times with a short cold open. This simple yet engrossing example is from Series 1 Episode 9 and it begins with a scene of Dr Orna Guralnik alone in her room, her head pressed against her hands with her accompanying voice-over describing “the overwhelming sense of responsibility she feels.” This isn't just storytelling; it's a captivating invitation to witness the complexities of relationships, therapy and the human psyche.
A Showtime Production, currently streaming on BBC iPlayer
So there you have three different documentary editing techniques for the pretitle. The Lead-In, the Highlights Moment and the Cold Open. Time, pacing, rhythm and style will make each and every pretitle different and unique. This is the launch pad of any film or programme and deserves all the attention and flair it can receive. It’s one of my favourite parts of any edit and a moment that can redefine the entire tone and flow of a documentary. Have ideas bubbling, or need a fresh perspective? I’m always happy to discuss pretitle styles and ideas and review existing pretitle edits so please feel free to contact me to discuss any requirements or work in progress edits!
