What does it take to be an editor for a documentary? I had the opportunity to chat with Tyler Cragun of Avalanche Studios. Tyler was the editor of the short documentary while attending the Desertscape International Film Festival in St. George, UT.  “The Disappearance of Brandon Mull.” In the film, New York Times Best-Selling Author Brandon Mull attempts an unusual experiment of method writing to complete his 20th novel.

“I joined Avalanche Studios about a year and a half ago, and they had already filmed the majority of the documentary about four years back,” Tyler Cragun shared. “They sat on it for a while for reasons I won’t spoil, but when I came aboard, they thought I’d be a good fit to edit the project.”

Ever wondered about the nitty-gritty details of editing documentaries versus corporate videos? Tyler shed some light on the matter: “There are similarities, sure. Interviews, B-roll, you name it. But documentaries require a narrative, a story that captivates. It was my first dive into the documentary world, and let me tell you, it’s a whole different ball game.”

But after taking a look at what whats shot, Tyler noticed a glaring problem, “We realized there was no real ending,” Tyler confessed. “So, back to the drawing board it was. We reached out to Brandon Mull himself to fill in the blanks, shaping the ending from there.”

For all you aspiring editors out there, Tyler had some words of wisdom: “Patience and organization are key. Editing is both fun and frustrating, but it’s the true art of filmmaking. You’ve got to be detail-oriented yet able to see the bigger picture.”

Now, picture this: the lights dim, the audience hushes, and the film unfolds on the big screen. How does it feel for Tyler to witness this film in front of a live audience? “Scary, yet satisfying,” he admitted. “Seeing it with fresh eyes, with people who have no connection to the project, it’s a whole new experience. I get to disconnect and just enjoy the story.”

If you are interested in the filmmaking process I recommend attending a local film festival and meeting those in your hometown bringing their stories to the silver screen. Get inspired and start your filmmaking journey and I may be chatting with you soon. 

The short documentary “Free Play,” directed by the talented Alex Astrella is about a mother’s resilience leads to the creation of middle Tennessee’s largest all-inclusive playground, where everyone is welcome. I had the privilege to sit down with Alex and delve into the journey behind the lens.

For Alex, the inception of “Free Play” wasn’t just about fulfilling an academic requirement; it was about telling a story close to his heart. “I had to do a thesis project for being a master’s student at Vanderbilt University,” Alex explained, his eyes gleaming with passion. “Most people are doing data collection and case studies, which are fantastic. But I wanted to do something different because of my background in documentary film.”

“I reached out to the appropriate people, and that led me to Karen, our protagonist, and the other amazing families in the film,” Alex recounted, his respect for Karen evident in his words.

As with any creative endeavor, the documentary evolved during the filming and editing process. “We were initially planning on it being more like about a 30-minute piece,” Alex shared. “But as we did the edit, we realized… this can be a more compact story.” The focus shifted to Karen’s journey, her relationship with her daughter Tabitha, and their pivotal role in building the playground.

For aspiring filmmakers, Alex had these words of advice: “Just keep going… keep persevering.” He emphasized the importance of passion and determination, urging filmmakers to manifest the change they wish to see. “Perseverance is the number one thing,” he affirmed, a testament to his own unwavering dedication.

In the realm of film festivals, choosing where to submit a film can be daunting. However, for Alex, the decision was clear. “Festivals that are passionate about showing stories of people who might be underrepresented,” he explained. “That’s been a big part of submitting Free Play to festivals that highlight people in underrepresented communities.”

As our conversation drew to a close, it was evident that “Free Play” is more than just a documentary for Alex Astrella —it’s a celebration of inclusivity, community, and the power of storytelling. With Astrella at the helm, this film is poised to inspire audiences far and wide, reminding us all of the importance of perseverance and the beauty of embracing diversity.