Documentary Editing Program
A structured approach to visual storytelling through editing—from assembly to narrative construction.
Learn to work with footage, build sequences, and develop your editorial judgment through hands-on projects.
Curriculum Overview
What you'll actually learn
Module 01
Fundamentals & Software
Interface navigation, timeline mechanics, file organization systems. DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere basics with real project files.
3 weeksModule 02
Cutting Techniques
J-cuts, L-cuts, match cuts, continuity editing. Frame-level precision work with interview footage and b-roll integration.
4 weeksModule 03
Narrative Structure
Three-act structure in non-fiction, pacing analysis, building tension without fabrication. Story arc construction from raw material.
5 weeksModule 04
Audio Design
Dialog cleanup, room tone matching, music placement strategy. Working with ambient sound and building audio beds.
3 weeksModule 05
Color & Finishing
Basic color correction, shot matching, export specifications for different platforms. Delivery formats and compression settings.
3 weeksModule 06
Final Project
Edit a 10-minute documentary from provided footage or your own material. Complete workflow from rough cut to final delivery.
4 weeksHow the program works
Weekly sessions
Two live sessions per week covering new techniques and reviewing student work. Sessions run 90 minutes with direct feedback on your edits.
Practical assignments
Each module includes editing exercises using provided footage. You'll cut interviews, assemble sequences, and work through real editorial problems.
Peer review process
Share rough cuts with other students for feedback. Learning to articulate editorial choices and receive critique is part of the skill development.
Portfolio piece
Your final project becomes a portfolio piece. We work through multiple revisions to ensure it demonstrates what you've learned.
Skills you'll develop
Editorial judgment comes from repetition—making cuts, watching results, adjusting based on what works. This program gives you structured practice with different types of footage and storytelling challenges.
You'll learn to recognize pacing issues before they become problems, maintain narrative momentum across scene transitions, and make editorial decisions that serve the story rather than showcasing technique.
Technical proficiency develops alongside creative skills. Understanding how your software actually works—keyboard shortcuts, efficient workflows, troubleshooting common issues—makes the creative process less frustrating.
By the end, you'll have edited multiple short pieces, completed a full documentary workflow, and built the foundation for professional editing work.
Who teaches this
Instructors with documentary editing credits and years of teaching experience
Halyna Bilak
Lead Instructor
Edited feature documentaries for international film festivals. Specializes in narrative structure and pacing. Teaches the core modules on cutting techniques and story development.
Oksana Sotnyk
Technical Instructor
Handles workflow optimization, color grading, and audio post-production modules. Background in broadcast documentary production with focus on delivery standards.
Ready to start editing?
The program runs for 22 weeks with enrollment open now. Sessions start as soon as we have a full cohort—no waiting for fixed start dates.
Contact Us to Enroll