Cut! Find the story!
Sometimes there’s a better story hiding in plain sight
We all get attached to our ideas. It is a natural part of the creative process, but sometimes that attachment can lead us into a rut. We find ourselves stuck. Stuck in stories that aren’t saying much, that feel unresolved (but not in an intriguing way), or that simply will not move forward. When this happens, it can be frustrating and disheartening. Sometimes, getting unstuck requires a bold move: physically breaking the story apart to see what’s there.
Why this matters
In filmmaking, as in any creative endeavor, it’s easy to become so invested in an idea that we lose perspective. We cling to a narrative, a sequence, or a shot because we have put time and effort into it, even when it’s not working. But what if there is a better story hiding in plain sight, waiting to be discovered?
When my students get stuck in an edit, I encourage them to step away from the screen and take a different approach. I ask them to print out their storyboard, or if they don’t have one, to capture stills from their existing edit and lay them out as if it were a storyboard. Then, I give them scissors and have them cut it apart. The pieces become a puzzle, and their task is to rearrange those pieces to explore new narrative possibilities.
This exercise of cutting an edit apart is about rethinking narrative structure. By physically manipulating the pieces of the story, students can see connections they might have missed and experiment with pacing, sequencing, and character development without the labor-intensive process of digital editing. It’s a low-stakes, high-reward way to play with narrative.
Bringing this into the classroom:
*You can use the storyboard provided here or create your own; the one here is intentionally neutral and imperfect to encourage exploration.
Start with a neutral storyboard
Use a storyboard that no one is particularly attached to, or provide a set of images for the exercise. This ensures that students focus on the process rather than defending ideas.
Print and cut
Print out the storyboard or stills, and then cut them apart. Encourage the students to treat the pieces like a puzzle that can be rearranged in multiple ways.
Rearrange the narrative
Ask students to rearrange the images into a possible narrative. This step is crucial for exploring different narrative arcs and seeing how different sequences can alter the story’s impact.
Develop a backstory
Once the images are in place, have students write a short backstory. This helps them think about character motivations and the underlying themes of the story.
Identify missing or redundant frames
Encourage students to discuss which frames might be missing and add those in, or identify any that feel redundant and remove them. This sharpens their editing skills by focusing on what’s essential to the narrative.
Justify choices
Have students negotiate their changes with you, explaining why they made certain decisions. This step reinforces their understanding of narrative and editing principles.
Create a rough cut
Invite students to scan their rearranged images and create a simple rough cut of the new storyboard. This brings their suggested narrative to life and allows them to see how the changes play out on screen.
Share and reflect
Finally, have students share their stories with the class. Discuss the different narrative arcs and editing choices that emerged from the exercise.
This exercise is more than just a tool for when students are stuck; it is a powerful method for teaching the importance of flexibility and experimentation in storytelling. By breaking apart a narrative and piecing it back together, students learn to see their work from new perspectives and discover the hidden potential in their stories. And when they find themselves stuck in future projects, they will have a proven strategy to help them move forward.