Danger Quote by Errol Morris
“People think in narratives - in beginnings, middles and ends. The danger when you edit something too severely is that it no longer makes sense; worse still, it leaves people with the disquieting impression that something is being hidden.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Documentary filmmaking, 2015
Narrative structure aids understanding, but over‑editing can obscure meaning and feel deceptive.
In simple terms: Stories need flow, but too much editing hides truth.
Edit for clarity, not concealment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film editing
- writing workshops
- documentary production
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does editing become manipulation?
- How can you preserve intent while refining?
Excessive cuts may alienate viewers.