Avid Technology > Case Studies > Leveraging Avid Media Composer in Documentary Production: A Case Study

Leveraging Avid Media Composer in Documentary Production: A Case Study

Technology Category

Sensors - Acoustic Sensors
Sensors - Camera / Video Systems

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
Security & Public Safety

Use Cases

Security Claims Evaluation
Time Sensitive Networking

About The Customer

Phil Bowman is a seasoned editor with a wealth of career experience in fiction and documentary that cover military missions, true-crime, and ghost stories that cross into sci-fi. He has worked on the feature film Pickups, the Discovery show Gold Rush, and Obsession, a series telling the harrowing stories of victims of stalking. He is currently the editor for Arrow Media’s true crime documentary series, See No Evil. Despite being typecast as a true crime editor, Phil likes to keep his work varied. He never loses sight of the fact that there are real people involved in the stories he edits, and he believes it is critical to do right by the families.

The Challenge

Documentary programs cover a wide range of topics and are often produced on a tight schedule. The success of a series heavily relies on a talented editor equipped with the right software. The editor must have a natural sense of timing for drama and a journalist’s devotion to the truth. The challenge lies in managing the fast-paced production schedule while ensuring the quality of the content. The dialogue in documentaries is key to engaging the audience, which means the editor must work hard to get the best from the audio. The editor also needs to be mindful of the real people involved in the stories, especially when the subject matter can often be delicate and heartbreaking.

The Solution

Phil Bowman, an experienced editor in both fiction and documentary, relies on Avid Media Composer for editing stories. The software provides timeline editing features like asymmetrical trimming and audio mixdown, which allow editors to easily feel the timings and align music with video segments. Phil uses the audio mixdown tool to add reverb to a single beat and create an artificial climax to a song that falls wherever he needs it to on the timeline. This helps him punctuate a piece of action or line of sync. The asymmetrical trimming feature supports his feel for timing, enabling him to keep up with the fast-paced production schedule. Avid’s plugins also allow him to provide the best sonic experience possible during the offline. He also learns from other editors to improve his skills and practices.

Operational Impact

The use of Avid Media Composer has allowed Phil to effectively manage the fast-paced production schedule of documentary programs. The software's features have enabled him to enhance the quality of his work, particularly in terms of timing and audio. The audio mixdown tool and asymmetrical trimming feature have been particularly useful in aligning music with video segments and maintaining control of the material. The software's plugins have also allowed him to provide the best sonic experience possible during the offline. Furthermore, the software has supported him in his commitment to truth and sensitivity when dealing with real stories and people.