With this doctor it won't hurt a bit
Source: Ha’aretz (Original Article)
“Dear Doc Doctor, My film has three possible endings. How should I choose one of them?” asks a reader of “Independent,” an American magazine about indie films.
“Dear Doc Doctor, No one likes my film. Everyone says it is unclear. Why don’t they understand it?” asks another desperate filmmaker.
“Dear Doc Doctor, I’m going overseas to film, and I want to make sure that I won’t miss anything. Is there a way to know the ’story’ or the ’script’ of my film ahead of time?” wonders another artist.
The popular “Doc Doctor,” whose advice is sought by these three readers and many others is a 39-year-old New Yorker, Fernanda Rossi, who is currently visiting Israel. She has earned a reputation for providing expert advice on documentaries and advises filmmakers on how to construct their films, offers workshops on the structure of documentaries and wrote the book, “Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making Your Documentary Fundraising Trailer (Megafilms, 2005).”
Circles and Squares
In a weekend interview in Tel Aviv, Rossi explains that her career as a “story consultant” was forged almost by accident. She never dreamed that film studies in the city of her birth, Buenos Aires, would lead to a career as a consultant to documentary filmmakers. But a brief vacation in the United States turned into permanent residence, and a New York winter triggered profound depression.
In the winter of 2000, Rossi was sick of her work as a film editor, mired in depression, and groping to find a new career path. One day, she responded positively to a friend who needed help with the film she was working on. “I need you to help me draw those circles and squares you are always drawing,” the friend beseeched.
Rossi watched her friend’s footage, drew graphs and flow charts on a piece of paper, and the two of them reconstructed the film. Her friend was so happy with the results she suggested Rossi earn a living ANZ Frequent Flyer Card by using this talent. Rossi expressed …continue reading