Episode 237 | Making a Hit Mini TV Series feat. Evan Wise

Documentary First

In this episode, host Christian Taylor sits down with Emmy-nominated editor and producer Evan Wise, ACE, to delve into his career journey and unique approach to documentary filmmaking. Evan shares his path from a rebellious skate punk in New Jersey to becoming a highly respected editor, working on acclaimed series like HBO’s The Circus and Q: Into the Storm. The conversation turns to his latest project, Chimp Crazy, a four-part HBO series that explores the complex world of primates.

Evan offers a behind-the-scenes look at Chimp Crazy, discussing the creative and technical challenges of editing a real-time documentary. He emphasizes the importance of finding a compelling story arc, balancing multiple perspectives, and allowing the audience to interpret the narrative independently. He also shares his unique workflow, which involves producing, writing, and editing simultaneously—an approach that fosters flexibility and creativity.

Throughout the episode, Evan provides valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring editors. He highlights essential skills like negotiation, teamwork, and self-advocacy, offering listeners an inside view of the collaborative and often intense world of documentary editing.

DocuView Dèjà Vu

• Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, 1996, 150 mins, Watch on Amazon / Prime, IMDB Link: Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996) ⭐ 8.2 | Documentary, Crime

• Diamond Hands: Legends of WallStreetBets, 2022, 89 mins, Watch on Peacock, IMDB Link: Diamond Hands: The Legend of WallStreetBets (2022) ⭐ 4.7 | Documentary

Takeaways

• Hard work and enthusiasm are key for advancing in documentary filmmaking.

• Building relationships with experienced editors and filmmakers is invaluable for growth.

• Film school offers resources but isn’t necessary for success in the industry.

• Starting in entry-level roles, like logger or assistant editor, can lead to an editing career.

• High-profile projects and recognition, like Emmy nominations, can open new doors.

• Creating a series involves tailoring the format, episode length, and story to the footage available.

• Presenting multiple perspectives lets the audience form their own opinions.

• Filming, writing, and editing at the same time allows for creative, flexible storytelling.

• Creative problem-solving makes scenes more engaging and visually dynamic.

• Negotiation skills and self-advocacy are crucial for an editor's success.

• Building positive relationships and being kind to others is essential in the editing world.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping 03:21 Evan Wise's Journey in Documentary Filmmaking 07:52 The Importance of Hard Work and Building Relationships 14:30 The Role of Loggers and Assistant Editors 18:14 Turning Points in Evan Wise's Career 21:40 Creating 'Chimp Crazy' 25:16 Discovering the Story 28:26 Filming, Writing, and Editing Simultaneously 31:35 Revealing Unseen Processes 37:32 Editors as Writers 40:05 The Importance of Being Nice 45:50 DocuView Dèjà Vu