Ask the Doc Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling
In this month's column Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores good stories v. good marketing. Which one is more like to find an audience?
May 15th, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi, discusses how to find an audience for your film. Is it the story that grabs viewers, or is it all about the marketing? Using her expertise as a story consultant for over 300 documentaries, scripts and fundraising trailers, Fernanda breaks down the statistics on just how much is in the directors hands, and how much is just good marketing. Don't miss out on the Doc Doctor's structure and trailer workshops coming up this month. Learn more about it at her website, www.documentarydoctor.com.
Myth #3
“A good story will find its audience no matter what.”
Or
“Good marketing can make any story succeed.”
The myth in all its glory
Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling
In her latest column, Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores the myth: “If I keep shooting/editing, the story will come to me--eventually.”
April 15th, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
In the second installment of her latest column for The Independent Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi breaks down the common myth that continuous shooting and editing will eventually lead to a story and highlights common ruts that all filmmakers fall into at some point in the career, from following a stale formula to spotting the difference between story and storyline.
Myth #2
“If I keep shooting/editing, the story will come to me -eventually.”
Practical?
The myth in all its glory
Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling
In her new column, Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi explores the myth: “If you don’t have a conflict you don’t have a film.”
February 20th, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
In a brand new column for the Independent, Documentary Doctor Fernanda Rossi, story consultant for the 2009 Oscar nominated documentary, The Garden, directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy (view the trailer here), will expose the myths of documentary storytelling. This month, Rossi tears down a common misconception to which many filmmakers subscribe: No conflict? No film.
Introducing....Story Strategies
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela"
The Doc Doctor profiles the making of Thomas Allen Harris's latest documentary, "Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela."
January 12th, 2009 | Fernanda Rossi
This month, Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi, breaks down the making of Thomas Allen Harris's latest documentary, Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela (view the trailer here), which explores Harris's journey to South Africa to confront the death of his stepfather who, with his eleven comrades, spoke out against the apartheid system and helped raise support for Nelson Mandela in the 1960s.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: Made In L.A.
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Almudena Carracedo's "Made In L.A."
November 6th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc Doctor, Fernanda Rossi, checks out Made In L.A. (See the trailer here), a documentary that takes a look at the experiences of three immigrant women fighting for their rights as they struggle, working in the garment sweatshops of Los Angeles.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Soy Andina"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Mitchell Teplitsky's "Soy Andina."
October 8th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc studies Mitchell Teplitsky's first film, Soy Andina (check out the trailer) and takes a behind-the-scenes look at how Teplitsky went from marketing director to successful filmmaker living in Peru. This October, the Doc will be presenting her signature workshops on story structure and fundraising trailers in Tucson, AZ and San Francisco, CA. For details check www.documentarydoctor.com. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Sync or Swim"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's "Sync or Swim."
September 1st, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
In the spirit of the Summer Olympics, the Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's Sync or Swim, which goes behind the scenes with the synchronized swimmers of the 2004 Summer Olympics. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "This Is Where My Dog Is Buried"
July 10th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc Doctor takes a look behind the success of Israeli Producer and Director Nir Keinan's documentary This Is Where My Dog Is Buried. He describes the mistakes he made and the smart moves that ultimately led to the financing of the film. Also, check out the Doc Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Muskrat Lovely"
A look at Amy Nicholson's film, which aired on PBS's "Independent Lens"
June 5th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
To make Muskrat Lovely (view the trailer), her first full-length documentary, Amy Nicholson packed a small crew into a car and drove from New York City to rural Maryland. Her subjects were the women participating in the 50th anniversary muskrat-skinning competition, which they refer to as a pageant. She had only one camera and under three weeks to get all of the footage she needed. Here, she explains how she pulled it off. Also, check out the Doc Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea"
Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer braved camera-melting heat to film their documentary
May 6th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Independent's Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi analyzes the success of Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea (view the trailer), directed by Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer. The filmmakers talk about sleeping in their car, having a camera melt in the heat, landing John Waters as a narrator, and re-editing their film after its world premiere at Slamdance. Also, check out Rossi's last "Anatomy" column on The Longing. Attention Colorado Filmmakers: The Doc will be conducting her signature workshops on story structure and trailer mechanics in Denver on May 17 and 18; she is also speaking at the Boston Media Market on May 30. For details, visit Documentarydoctor.com.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
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