https://independent-magazine.org/2010/12/22/doc_doctor_fernanda_rossi_debunks_producer_myth/
Obsessed with Independent Film Since 1976
Obsessed with Independent Film Since 1976
Internationally renowned author and story consultant Fernanda Rossi has doctored over 300 documentaries, scripts, and fundraising trailers including the 2009 Academy Award® nominated The Garden by Scott Hamilton Kennedy and the 2007 Academy Award® nominated Recycled Life by Leslie Iwerks. In addition to private consultations, lectures, and seminars worldwide, she has served as festival juror and grant panelist. Ms. Rossi shares her knowledge and research of story structure and the creative process in columns and articles in trade publications. She is also the author of the book Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making your Documentary Fundraising Trailer.
Myth #7 “I’ll go on with the film when I find the right producer.” Keep looking! The myth in all its glory Who wouldn’t want a producer or co-producer if working alone? Especially the right producer? The myth does not only concern the proverbial almighty producer, it can apply to anyone onto whom we project… Read more »
Myth #6 “All technical glitches, or disasters, can be avoided with preparation.” Wait, what about those who say: “Obsessing over technology is a waste of time I could devote to the story.” The myth in all its glory Two opposing myths: the first one, the self-assured cry of the virtuoso or technophile, the second, the… Read more »
Myth #5 “Narration in a documentary is bad storytelling.” Says who? The myth in all its glory Narration, a.k.a voiceover, is as vilified by the filmmakers of the verité persuasion as it is glorified by their counterparts, the lovers of the investigative genre. For those in the middle, however, the question of whether to add… Read more »
Myth #4 “If the structure doesn’t work, put yourself in the film.” And everything will magically work? Not quite. The myth in all its glory When desperate to solve some structural issues, the eager-to-help colleague blurts out, “How about you? Make it your story!” You might cringe because you had mixed feelings about this approach…. Read more »
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 This is a twin myth, two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, there is the idea that a story can propel itself above and against the… Read more »
Myth #2 “If I keep shooting or editing, the story will come to me — eventually.” Practical? The myth in all its glory Shooting and editing are not myths at all, but necessary and very creative steps in filmmaking. However expecting the story to materialize as something external to the filmmaker, the result of following… Read more »
Introducing….Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling In this age of instant messages, blogs, and Twitter, information travels fast. So does misinformation. That’s why the Independent is thrilled to introduce yet another remedy from longtime contributor Fernanda Rossi, aka the Documentary Doctor. Her new column, “Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling” will do exactly… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »