Workshop Series: Documentary + Nonfiction Filmmaking - Content Production and Editing
Course Introduction
This four-part workshop series offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how nonfiction stories are built from the first interview question to the final edit. Participants will learn how to prepare, conduct, and shape interviews; translate raw transcripts into narrative structure; write compelling voiceover; and work confidently across visual and audio production. Each session blends hands-on techniques with real industry examples, giving emerging creators a step-by-step understanding of how documentary and news content come together.
About the Speaker
Alex Vincent Blumberg is a documentary filmmaker and writer with extensive experience shaping nonfiction stories for global audiences. He has written and produced nature documentaries narrated by Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep, and has conducted, shot, and edited hundreds of interviews with artists, scientists, public figures, and community voices. His work spans cinematic documentaries, broadcast news, and digital storytelling, offering a practical, craft-focused perspective on how strong narrative emerges from real people and real events.
Schedule
Tuesday, December 2, 21:00 MSK
Thursday, December 11, 21:00 MSK
Tuesday, December 16, 21:00 MSK
Tuesday, December 23, 21:00 MSK
Session 1: Writing for Nonfiction Filmmaking + News Content
Tuesday, December 2 | 21:00 MSK
Overview
“Documentary films are written four times. The first time is when you conceive your questions, because those questions have to lead to a narrative. You have to know that the answers of your subject are going to start piecing together the film. The second part is when you get the transcripts back. I highlight them and start to puzzle all the different bites together. Where there is a break and it needs to be redirected, you write the voiceover. That is the third part of the process. The fourth time you write is when you are in the edit bay and you look at the footage. You do it all over again. It is really about taking your subjects' voices and giving them narrative.”
— Stacey Peralta, documentary filmmaker
This session introduces the foundations of nonfiction writing and how narrative is shaped across interviews, transcripts, voiceover, and the edit itself.
What We’ll Cover
What “writing” means in nonfiction filmmaking
When narration is necessary—and when the edit itself becomes the writing
How interview prep and interview execution shape the story
How transcripts become the foundation for narrative (the “paper edit”)
Basics of voiceover writing and writing to picture
Interview Preparation and Execution
Research
Finding background material on interview subjects: LinkedIn, social media, websites, publications, podcasts, previous media
Adapting questions to fit the subject’s expertise and communication style
Drafting Questions
Balancing guidance with openness
Writing questions that elicit both clarity and authenticity
Pre-Interviews
Conducting email/phone/Zoom pre-interviews as the first “draft” of your questions
Recording pre-interviews (with permission)
Understanding time limits and prioritizing accordingly
Making Subjects Comfortable
Starting with light questions for non-media-trained subjects
Managing rehearsed or overly polished responses from public speakers
Strategies for encouraging genuine, unscripted answers
The Power of Listening
Creating conversational flow instead of rigid Q&A
Reading emotional cues and following promising threads
Using reflective listening: “Something you said stood out—can you elaborate?”
Getting Usable Soundbites
Teaching subjects to repeat the question in their answer
Why contextualized answers are essential for documentary editing
Asking for repeats when necessary
Reviewing Interview Transcripts (the “Paper Edit”)
Using transcription tools
Treating soundbites like puzzle pieces: finding beginnings, endings, and transitions
Ethical editing: cleaning up speech while respecting intent
Writing Narration
Writing for narration vs writing for print
Short, declarative sentences and strong sentence endings
Writing to picture: using temp images or stock footage during drafting
Working with Editors
A brief introduction; explored in depth during the editing session.
Timing narration to edit pacing
Adjusting story structure based on available footage
News-style editing and writing workflows
Session 2: Visual Production + Post-Production
Thursday, December 11 | 21:00 MSK
Topics
Basic interview setups: cameras, lighting, subject positioning
Gathering B-roll: practical tips and visual strategy
Editing theory fundamentals
Working with video and still photography in the edit
Session 3: Audio Production + Post
Tuesday, December 16 | 21:00 MSK
Topics
Audio hardware + software overview
Recording techniques for clean dialogue
Editing audio
AI tools for fast cleanup and enhancement
Session 4: Creator Resources
Tuesday, December 23 | 21:00 MSK
Topics
Fair use and public domain basics in the U.S.
Where to find stock media
Research tools
Legal resources for filmmakers
Documentary ethics: best practices and common dilemmas
Register:
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