Midwifing The Story: The Art of Editing

We’ve all heard the old adage: Everyone needs an editor. Whether you’re working in print, film, or narrative audio — you need someone to check for structure, make sure you’re meeting deadlines, and generally help get the story to the finish line.

Jen Chien, who works as an editor at Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, compares it to being a midwife: Editors help people give birth to their projects and make sure they come to life.

In this session from the 2019 Third Coast Conference, Jen Chien laid out what it takes to be a great editor, from the art of nurturing creativity in the people you work with to hands-on project management tips to keep the project moving. She also shared lessons from some of the top editors in the field on how to successfully guide producers through the process, without sacrificing rigor or craft.

Click here to view the visual presentation that accompanied this session.

Since this session was recorded, Jen Chien & Casey Miner have created an online survey to see who’s interested in trainings specifically for narrative audio editors.

Mixed by Neroli Price.