YAML
---
name: auditing-documentary-narratives
description: Analyzes documentary footage through narrative frameworks (Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, Jungian archetypes) to identify story structure, character arcs, and thematic elements. Use when reviewing raw documentary footage or planning narrative flow.
---

# Quick Start

```python
# Basic narrative audit workflow
footage_segments = ["interview_subject_a_01.mov", "broll_factory_floor.mov", "interview_expert_b_01.mov"]

for segment in footage_segments:
    audit_entry = {
        "timestamp": "00:03:45-00:08:12",
        "narrative_function": "ordinary_world",  # Campbell's Hero's Journey
        "character_archetype": "innocent",       # Jung
        "emotional_beat": "setup",               # Save the Cat
        "story_value": "establishing_stakes"     # McKee
    }

Workflow

Progress:

• Initial Review: Watch all footage, note key moments and characters
• Framework Application: Apply 3-4 narrative frameworks systematically
• Character Mapping: Identify archetypal roles and character arcs
• Structure Analysis: Map footage to three-act or Hero's Journey structure
• Thematic Extraction: Identify recurring motifs and symbolic elements
• Edit Recommendations: Suggest narrative flow and missing pieces

1. Catalog Content

   • Create timestamp log of all interviews, b-roll, and key moments
   • Note emotional tone and energy level of each segment

2. Apply Hero's Journey (Campbell)

   • Ordinary World: Status quo footage
   • Call to Adventure: Inciting incident or problem introduction
   • Refusal/Threshold: Resistance or initial attempts
   • Tests/Allies/Enemies: Challenges and supporting characters
   • Ordeal/Reward/Return: Climax, resolution, new normal

3. Character Archetype Analysis (Jung/Pearson)

   • Hero: Main protagonist driving change
   • Mentor: Wisdom providers, experts
   • Shadow: Opposition, obstacles, inner conflicts
   • Threshold Guardian: Gatekeepers, bureaucracy
   • Shapeshifter: Ambiguous characters, changing situations

4. Beat Sheet Analysis (Snyder/Weiland)

   • Opening Image: Visual metaphor for theme
   • Setup: World and stakes establishment
   • Inciting Incident: Story catalyst
   • Plot Points: Major turns and revelations
   • Midpoint: False victory/defeat
   • Climax: Final confrontation/resolution

5. Story Values Mapping (McKee)

   • Track positive/negative value shifts
   • Identify turning points and reversals
   • Note gaps in emotional progression

Examples

Example 1: Environmental Documentary Input: 3 hours of footage about factory pollution Output:

Hero's Journey Map:
- Ordinary World: Factory workers daily routine (0:05-0:15)
- Call to Adventure: Health report revelation (0:23-0:28)
- Mentor: Environmental lawyer interview (1:15-1:45)
- Ordeal: Confrontation with factory owner (2:15-2:30)

Missing Elements:
- Need "Refusal of Call" - worker hesitation
- Weak "Return" - need community impact footage

Character Archetypes:
- Hero: Maria (factory worker) - Everyman archetype
- Shadow: Factory owner - Explorer gone wrong
- Mentor: Dr. Chen (researcher) - Sage

Example 2: Personal Journey Documentary Input: Artist overcoming creative block Output:

Snyder Beat Sheet:
- Theme Stated: "Art requires suffering" (0:08:30)
- Catalyst: Gallery rejection (0:15:20)
- Debate: Should quit art? (0:18:45-0:22:10)
- Break into 2: Decides to experiment (0:35:15)
- Midpoint: Breakthrough moment (1:12:45)

Gaps Identified:
- Missing "All is Lost" moment
- Need stronger "Final Image" callback

Best Practices

Framework Selection

• Use 2-3 frameworks maximum per audit to avoid analysis paralysis
• Campbell's Hero's Journey for transformation stories
• Save the Cat beats for character-driven narratives
• Jung archetypes for ensemble or complex character dynamics

Documentation Standards

• Always include exact timestamps
• Note emotional energy levels (1-10 scale)
• Flag "money shots" - powerful visual moments
• Identify natural edit points and transitions

Narrative Gaps Analysis

• Look for missing story beats, not just missing footage
• Identify emotional holes in character arcs
• Note setup without payoff and vice versa
• Flag unclear character motivations

Thematic Consistency

• Track visual motifs and recurring symbols
• Note contradictory messages or unclear themes
• Identify moments that support or undermine central thesis

Common Pitfalls

Over-Analysis

• Don't force footage into frameworks that don't fit
• Documentary reality doesn't always follow narrative structure
• Some segments may serve purely informational purposes

Ignoring Documentary Conventions

• Real people aren't always archetypal
• Chronological order may matter more than dramatic structure
• Talking heads can be powerful even if "undramatic"

Framework Mixing Confusion

• Don't blend incompatible systems (Snyder beats with Aristotelian acts)
• Be consistent with terminology within chosen frameworks
• Campbell's "tests" ≠ Snyder's "fun and games"

Missing the Unique Story

• Don't impose generic narrative templates
• Look for the specific story this footage wants to tell
• Consider non-traditional structures for experimental documentaries

Timeline Assumptions

• Non-linear editing may require non-linear narrative analysis
• Flashbacks and parallel storylines need separate character arc tracking
• Consider how time manipulation affects narrative frameworks