Great Documentary Editing Needs Notes: How to Give Great Feedback

Giving notes on a documentary is an art form. Effective feedback can shape a stronger story, foster creativity, and empower editors to do their best work. In this post, I share my perspective on how executive producers can master the note-giving process

Great note-givers are a gift. 

Take it from me: great documentary editing needs great feedback.

I’ve been on the receiving end of countless notes from executive producers over the years, and a few stand out as exceptional. Think about the juggling act EPs face: reacting like the ideal audience, identifying what’s not working and why, envisioning better possibilities, staying aligned with the big-picture direction from on high, and communicating all of that to the filmmaker and editor—often after just one viewing.

I've also had projects where I got very little feedback at all, and frankly, the project suffered for it.

It’s no easy feat, and when it’s done well, I’ve been immensely grateful. Having also given notes myself, I understand the challenge from both sides.

 

How to Give Notes on a Documentary

Here are some tips for Giving Strong, Supportive Editing Notes and make your editor feel respected and happy.

1. You Don’t Have to Solve the Problem - save your effort!

Your job isn’t to provide the fix—it’s to highlight the issue. Trust your filmmaker and editor to come up with creative solutions. If you dictate exactly how to fix something, you may inadvertently cut off better, more effective outcomes.

2. Match Your Notes to the Stage of the Cut - save your effort!

• Rough Cut: Focus on the big-picture issues—structure, content, and direction. Is the story clear? Are the beginning and ending compelling? Are there scenes that don’t belong? Save comments on pacing, graphics, or shot choices for later.

• Fine Cut: Now’s the time to get specific. Dial in on pacing, music cues, shot choices, and wordsmithing.

3. Don’t Overnote When Things Are Going Well - save your effort!

Sometimes a cut is on track, and your team doesn’t need a barrage of notes. It’s perfectly fine to say, “Keep going—it’s really coming together.” Trust your team to refine the show without micromanaging what they’d improve anyway.

4. Acknowledge the Effort and the Artist

Editing is deeply personal. Your team has poured hours of creativity, heart, and soul into the project. Hearing only criticism can deflate morale and stifle creativity. Balance your feedback by recognizing what’s working and acknowledging the challenges they’ve overcome to get here.

5. Appreciate Creative Risks

Notice when your team stretches creatively and call it out. The best work often comes from taking risks, and your feedback can either foster or discourage creative courage. By creating an environment where it’s safe to experiment, you empower your team to do their most inspired work.

Great note-giving is an art, and when done thoughtfully, it can elevate a project in ways that make everyone proud. To all the EPs out there: thank you for the balancing act you perform. Your trust and guidance can make all the difference.

What do you think? Are there other approaches to note-giving that have worked well for you?

Check out more of my tips for collaboration:

Help your editor by asking simple questions in the interview

The Price of Admission: Flaws in the edit