[Josh Rose]

Time spent shooting and editing documentaries is definitely where you will learn your personal style and techniques.

I’ve done a lot of studying on how to edit stories and articles, so I edit with those techniques in mind (clearness, conciseness, beginning, middle, end). I’ve also heard from someone with musical background say they edit with musical theory in mind.

The idea is to apply what you know or something you’re interested in into the creation process.

Here are some books I’ve found helpful in learning editing:

– Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
– The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and EB White
– On Writing Well by William Zinsser
– Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R Hofstadter

and to get a historical perspective on documentary film making read
– Documentary: A History of the Non-fiction Film by Erik Barnouw

But whatever you do, just keep creating and getting hands on experience.

Mr. Rose
Elephant Room Media
Video Production and Web Development