Episode 270 | Charles Olivier on Editing "Surviving Ohio State" for HBO

Episode 270 | Charles Olivier on Editing "Surviving Ohio State" for HBO

Emmy-winning editor Charles Olivier reveals how he restructured HBO's Surviving Ohio State and what it's like getting notes from George Clooney.

Charles has cut some of the biggest docs of the last decade—The Jinx, Magic and Bird, The Redeem Team. Surviving Ohio State, produced by Clooney and directed by Oscar winner Eva Orner, exposes decades of abuse in college athletics. In this episode, Charles breaks down how he pitched a new vision to the production team, why he structures documentaries like symphonies instead of three-act narratives, and his advice for editors finding their voice.

What You'll Learn:

  1. How documentary editors get hired (the "fresh eyes" audition)
  2. The editor as "midwife" to the director's vision
  3. Structuring docs like music—themes, movements, dynamics
  4. Editing trauma narratives without losing emotional resonance
  5. Finding your film's "grain" (why the lead isn't always who you expect)
  6. What it's actually like working with George Clooney

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:00 What is Surviving Ohio State?

09:00 How Charles got hired

12:00 The editor as "midwife"

14:00 Career path: film school to HBO

17:00 Why relationships matter more than subject matter

19:00 The message of the film

24:00 Layers of betrayal: institutions vs. individuals

28:00 Structuring documentary like a symphony

34:00 Finding the emotional center

37:00 Trusting yourself as an editor

41:00 Collaboration: when to push back

44:00 Working with George Clooney

49:00 Advice for emerging editors

52:00 DocuView Déjà Vu: FYRE (Netflix)

About Charles Olivier:

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning editor. Credits: Surviving Ohio State (HBO), The Jinx, The Redeem Team (Netflix), Magic and Bird. Based in France.

If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a review!

Episoder(281)

Episode 263 | Crowdfunding for Filmmakers — Lessons from the UnScarred Campaign

Episode 263 | Crowdfunding for Filmmakers — Lessons from the UnScarred Campaign

In this episode of Documentary First, return guest filmmaker Elise Jaffe, first-time director of documentary project: UnScarred, and special guest, Stacie Rae Weir, a tattoo artist and breast-cancer p...

23 Okt 202549min

Episode 262 | Why Josh Roush Made “Long Lonesome Highway: The Michael Parks Story”

Episode 262 | Why Josh Roush Made “Long Lonesome Highway: The Michael Parks Story”

In this episode of Documentary First, filmmaker Josh Roush opens up about his deeply personal journey creating the documentary Long Lonesome Highway, a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor Michael Par...

9 Okt 202545min

Episode 261 | Doc First Members Have Entered the Chat

Episode 261 | Doc First Members Have Entered the Chat

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor opens up with heartfelt personal updates and reflections on the journey of documentary filmmaking. Fresh off a moving trip to Normandy, Chri...

24 Sep 20251h 2min

Episode 260: "Saving Private Ryan": How to Really Listen to a Veteran - Part 2

Episode 260: "Saving Private Ryan": How to Really Listen to a Veteran - Part 2

In Part 2 of our crossover with MovieRob Minute WWII veteran Ceo Bauer (95th Infantry Division, “Iron Men of Metz”) continues his powerful story. At 102 years old, Ceo reflects on forgiveness, receivi...

11 Sep 202556min

Episode 259 | “Saving Private Ryan”:  How to Really Listen to a Veteran - Part 1

Episode 259 | “Saving Private Ryan”: How to Really Listen to a Veteran - Part 1

In this powerful crossover episode, Christian Taylor joins Rob of MovieRob Minute to introduce a very special guest: Ceo Bauer, a 102-year-old WWII veteran of the 95th Infantry Division, 377th Infantr...

27 Aug 202555min

Episode 258 | "Saving Private Ryan": Corey Johnson (D-Day, Camaraderie, John Williams) - Movie Rob Minute #131, Part 2

Episode 258 | "Saving Private Ryan": Corey Johnson (D-Day, Camaraderie, John Williams) - Movie Rob Minute #131, Part 2

In Part 2 of this special Movie Rob Minute episode, Christian and Corey Johnson continue their conversation with Rob about Saving Private Ryan, diving into the intricacies of Corey's role on set, mili...

14 Aug 202551min

Episode 257 | HBO Max "Billy Joel And So It Goes" Interview with Executive Producer, Steve Cohen - Part 2

Episode 257 | HBO Max "Billy Joel And So It Goes" Interview with Executive Producer, Steve Cohen - Part 2

In Part 2 of this powerful interview, Emmy-winning producer Steve Cohen reflects on his 50-year journey with Billy Joel and the collaborative heart behind the HBO documentary And So It Goes. A masterc...

24 Jul 202548min

Episode 256 | HBO Max "Billy Joel And So It Goes" Interview with Executive Producer, Steve Cohen - Part 1

Episode 256 | HBO Max "Billy Joel And So It Goes" Interview with Executive Producer, Steve Cohen - Part 1

In this profoundly moving first installment of a two-part episode, Documentary First host Christian Taylor interviews Steve Cohen, Billy Joel’s longtime creative director and the executive producer of...

16 Jul 202544min

Populært innen Samfunn

rss-spartsklubben
giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
konspirasjonspodden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
aftenpodden-usa
popradet
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
rss-henlagt-andy-larsgaard
wolfgang-wee-uncut
grenselos
min-barneoppdragelse
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
synnve-og-vanessa
rss-dannet-uten-piano
alt-fortalt
frokostshowet-pa-p5
fladseth
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
opptur-med-annette-og-ingeborg