For the first time, the Grierson DocLab training focus shifted to Unscripted Editing – with case studies, workshops and challenges (using rushes from a yet-to-be-published Netflix production!) designed to prepare our latest editing trainees to step up to working on large-scale, complex productions.

After the training, the group reflected on some highlights, what pushed them out of their comfort zone, what surprised them and more.

“It’s very easy to forget that behind every Netflix unscripted blockbuster there is an army of passionate people committed to create the best telly content. From editors and commissioners to directors and producers. Meeting some of them during the editing training programme was a privilege. All masterclasses were exquisitely curated to enable us with the technical and storytelling skills we need, as junior editors, to thrive in an industry that keeps reinventing itself and a format that is constantly transgressing the rules.

“Each speaker was incredibly generous by sharing their savoir-faire. Learning from their failures and achievements was very reassuring, inspiring and empowering. The cherry on the cake was implementing all that knowledge into a practical editing exercise. We had access to the rushes of an upcoming show, and we were invited to explore, take risks and put our skills to the test.” – Gibran Ramos

The editing challenge could not have been possible without the support of partners, Avid, who generously donated year licenses to Avid Media Composer to each trainee. Putting new learning to the test using industry-standard software and the trainees then being able to practise more in their own time to hone and maintain their skills is invaluable.

• “Despite feeling overwhelmed by the exercise on the first day, it became very clear after only a couple of the talks that what we learned from the speakers would enrich our edits as we were creating them. It became less about what we made but how we made it.” – Sophie Hurry

• “The editing exercise we did as part of the training was intense, but exhilarating. From the initially hugely daunting task of watching through countless hours of footage to find a story, to the elation at finally exporting my finished video, it was a journey that pushed me to be a better editor every day to meet the challenge at hand. It was so much fun to see and work with the footage we were given.” – Patrick D’Arcy

The trainees were treated to a fantastic array of industry speakers throughout the training, which helped inform their own edits and expand their knowledge of the unscripted industry landscape, processes and content. The speakers included…

• Stephen Yemoh, Executive Producer, Studio Lambert
• Jordan Gitahi, Editor
• Gareth Hicks, Editor
• Chris Bird – Director/Editor
• Nick Walker, Exec Producer/Showrunner, Netflix
• Ben Kelly and Daisy Lilley, Directors in the Unscripted team, Netflix
• Stephen Hunt, Head of Production, Unscripted, Studio Lambert
• Nigel Austin, Post Lead Editor and Post-Production Consultant, Lifted Entertainment
• Gabe Turner, Producer/Director and Ben Turner, Producer/Director and founding partners of Fulwell 73 Productions
• Anna Price, Editor
• Luke Macfarlane, Manager, Unscripted at Netflix

We would like to extend huge thanks to all for lending their time to inspire and inform the trainees on editing challenges to come during their placements!

• “My personal highlight of the training week was hearing from award winning editor Anna Price. Anna was the editor on the now iconic Educating Yorkshire episode featuring Musharaf Asghar and his English teacher Mr Burton. Since it aired in 2013, it’s been burnt into the nation’s psyche, showing just how powerful and emotive unscripted storytelling can be. Anna gave us a detailed breakdown of how she approached the edit, explaining her decision-making process and her thinking behind the creation of that now famous scene when Musharaf manages to overcome his stammer.” – Lucy Armitage

• “Ben and Gabe Turner of Fulwell 73 Productions were infectious in the greatest possible way. I was inspired by their passion for storytelling and the incredible team spirit that appears to be inherent at Fulwell 73.” – Sarah Cogan

• “All of the speakers were amazing and gave us such unique insight from their respective backgrounds that it’s difficult to pick a favourite, but what really stuck with me was Chris Bird showing us how fixed rig shows can tell such uniquely compelling and emotional stories – despite their technical limitations – through intelligent and thoughtful editing.” – Dane Cross

Helping to curate the incredible mix of speakers, and guiding the trainees with advice and structure throughout the week, was our course leader, Claire Ferguson. Big thanks to Claire for convening the sessions and skilfully coaching the trainees through their editing challenge.

“The industry speakers were so generous with their knowledge and gave us practical tips and tricks throughout the week that we were able to apply to our own editing practice, but it was the course convenor and renowned documentary editor Claire Ferguson that gave us the advice ‘Don’t get it right, get it written’. That’s a statement that’s become invaluable to me. As an editor, it’s often daunting knowing just where to begin when faced with piles of rushes and infinite choices, and the thought that you must get everything ‘right’ on the first go can be overwhelming. It’s taught me that it’s better to get something down on the timeline, and go from there. It’s a deceptively simply sentence that will stay with me the rest of my career.” – Lucy Armitage

Additional thanks to Netflix, our headline partners for the Grierson DocLab In Focus: Unscripted Editing programme, who generously offered their office space, colleagues’ time and support across the entire initiative. Special mentions to Matt Tegg and the Post-Production team at Netflix and Alison Small for the impromptu drinks on our final evening!

• “To suddenly be surrounded by broadcast professionals with such a breadth of experience and talent was overwhelming, but by the end of the week I felt like I had really grown into the programme. I just wanted to absorb every word that was being said, and every day felt like being bombarded with the best advice I’ve ever received as an editor!” – Patrick D’Arcy

• “I knew that the week would be full of heightened emotions — a busy, dense experience with people brimming with enthusiasm, passion and talent. What was unexpected was truly how powerful those emotions would become at points. Some of the sessions were so tender and heartfelt, the safe space that was held between the trainees, hosts and speakers enabled some moving moments that speak to the value that this experience and career holds in people’s lives. I will carry those moments with me for many years to come.” – Sophie Hurry