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Articles / Columns / Webisodes

Filmmakers, industry professionals, film teachers and publishers are avid readers of Fernanda’s written material because of its clarity and depth of storytelling knowledge. Her writing is based on original research and combines her theoretical background on semiotics with her hands-on experience in the fields of story structure and fundraising trailers.

 

She has published over 200 columns, trade articles and webcasts on The Independent, Documentary Magazine and DOX, among others. You can access her body of work here for free in order to contemplate an issue, share a thought with your crew, or for your class, blog or publication.

 

For your convenience you can read online or download a pdf. Please cite the source and link to this page when quoting, forwarding, or paraphrasing.

 

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> columns

Story Strategies: Debunking the Myths of Storytelling
12 common storytelling myths explored, unmasked and archived here.
Current issues appearing monthly at DER and The Independent and syndicated in several publications.

 

Ask the Doc Doctor
Over 150 questions answered on storytelling, story structure, fundraising trailers, creative process, documentary business etiquette and more. Ask the Doc Doctor launched at The Independent in 2002 and soon became a classic, establishing Fernanda as a witty yet incisive writer. Archived and current issues here.

 

Film’s Anatomy
14 case studies on how filmmakers have made it, revealing the hard-to-find data like how long it took them to finish, how much money they raised and how much they spent. All in an easy-to-read format. Originally published in The Independent and archived here.

 

The Documentary Clinic: Diagnoses
15 common ailments that affect beginner and senior filmmakers alike. A fun and easy read, useful as a jump starter when getting stuck in rough-cut, or for a point to debate in the classroom. Originally appeared on DER, Documentary Educational Resources, and soon to be published as an anthology. Selected issues available here.

 

 

The Documentary Clinic: Case Studies
25 case studies from real life story structure consultations, precise and methodical procedures to find inspiration or for debate with your editor or class. Originally appeared on DER, Documentary Educational Resources and soon to be published as an anthology. Selected issues available here.

 


> articles

Documentary Magazine
print magazine published by the International Documentary Association in the United States
tiownriaonv by Fernanda Rossi August 2003

 

DOX
print magazine published by the EDN, European Documentary Network in Europe
Can You Show Me Something by Fernanda Rossi, June 2005

 

  

 

Beyond the Box
print magazine published by the ITVS International Television Service in the United States
Unveiling the International Commissioning Process by Fernanda Rossi, September 2006

 

Film Arts Magazine
print magazine published by the Film Arts Foundation in the United States
New York, The City Where Filmmakers Never Get to Sleep by Fernanda Rossi, July 2007
Shooting People
online newsletter published in the United Kingdom and the United States
Ask the Experts by Fernanda Rossi, July 2007 and 2009
Readers submitted question on story structure and trailers.

The D-Word
online discussion forum for professional documentary filmmakers founded by Doug Block
Story Structure – Free Surgery Hours, Guest Speaker Fernanda Rossi, June 2009
Online Conference – Members debated and presented. Document here has been updated, and organized in an article form for easy reading.
The D-Word
online discussion forum for professional documentary filmmakers founded by Doug Block
Trailer Mechanics, Guest Speaker Fernanda Rossi, September 2009

Online Conference – Members debated and submitted questions. Document here has been updated, and organized in an article form for easy reading.

 


> webisodes

What is Success?

Fernanda Rossi is interviewed by Max Flower at WestDoc Conference, Los Angeles California, USA, September 2010.

 

Going to <Doc> Market
webisode on the major conferences and markets of the world with interviews to the organizers. Available here and at syndicated webcasts.

 
Documentary Story Structure: From Great to Excellent
lecture recorded at the Making Media Now Conference in Boston, May 2008.
Fernanda Rossi explains story structure models and how to make a great film excellent with a case study of Del Guercio's work-in-progress, Abandoned in the Attic.