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Unearthing Stories: Editing The Parkinson's Drug Trial for BBC Two

Writer's picture: Zoe DavisZoe Davis
Feb 27, 20194 min read

Working on the two-part series The Parkinson's Drug Trial for BBC Two has been a deeply rewarding experience. Directed by Jemima Harrison, this groundbreaking documentary follows the journey of a group of participants in a clinical trial testing a revolutionary treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Filmed over several years, the series combines deeply moving observational scenes with an extensive archive of footage, weaving together a narrative that is as poignant as it is informative. For an editor, the process of shaping such a complex story—particularly one that relied heavily on archive material—was both a challenge and a privilege.

The Parkinson's Drug Trial: A Miracle Cure? on BBC Two

The Role of Archive in Storytelling


Archive material plays a unique role in documentary storytelling. It provides historical context, emotional depth, and visual richness that can elevate a narrative. For The Parkinson’s Drug Trial, the archive footage was crucial in illustrating the progression of the disease, the history of treatment development, and the personal lives of the participants. However, working with archive also brings specific challenges:

  1. Volume of Material: The sheer amount of footage can be overwhelming. For this series, we had access to years of archive material, from early trial recordings to personal videos provided by participants.

  2. Quality and Format: Archive material often comes in a variety of formats and resolutions, requiring careful preparation to integrate seamlessly with newly shot footage.

  3. Accuracy and Attribution: Ensuring the proper use and accurate attribution of archive material is a critical part of the editorial process.



Working with Archive in Adobe Premiere Pro


One specific technique I use when working with extensive archive footage is to place all archive shots on a single video track. This organization allows me to easily create an Edit Decision List (EDL) of just that track directly from Premiere Pro, which gets sent off for approval. For this, I rely on the website EDL Hacker (designed by our friends over at Films at 59) which simplifies the process and ensures a clean, focused output (in this case an Excel spreadsheet). This approach streamlines communication with the post supervisor and production manager, especially when providing precise references for the archive material used in a sequence. Adobe Premiere Pro proved to be an invaluable tool for managing and editing the vast archive for The Parkinson’s Drug Trial. Here are some key strategies I employed:


  1. Organizing the Archive:


    • Bins and Labels: I created a detailed folder and bin structure within Premiere Pro, organizing footage by theme, participant, and timeline. Custom labels and metadata helped streamline the search process.


    • Proxy Workflow: For large or high-resolution files, I used Premiere’s proxy workflow to ensure smooth playback and efficient editing.


  2. Integrating Multiple Formats:


    • Archive footage came in a mix of formats—from VHS and MiniDV to modern digital files. Premiere Pro’s ability to handle a variety of codecs and resolutions made it easy to integrate these disparate sources.


    • I used tools like the Lumetri Color panel to color match archive footage to the newer observational scenes, ensuring visual continuity.


  3. Building the Narrative:


    • Stringouts: I created thematic stringouts of archive material to identify key moments and patterns. These stringouts served as a foundation for constructing each episode.


    • Layering the Story: Archive often acted as a counterpoint to the observational scenes, enriching the story by providing context or contrast. For example, juxtaposing early trial footage with present-day scenes illustrated the participants' progression and the trial's impact.

Balancing Emotion and Information

One of the greatest challenges in editing The Parkinson’s Drug Trial was balancing the emotional resonance of the participants’ stories with the scientific rigour of the trial. The archive played a pivotal role here, offering glimpses into the participants’ pasts that humanised the medical journey. Moments like a participant playing football with his grandchildren or the scenes with couples embracing before surgery added layers of depth and poignancy to the narrative.

Lessons Learned

Working on The Parkinson’s Drug Trial reinforced several key lessons about editing with archive material:

  1. Organization is Everything: The more time you spend organizing your archive, the smoother and faster your editing process will be.


  2. Respect the Material: Archive footage carries its own integrity and history. Treat it with care and ensure it’s used thoughtfully and ethically.


  3. Embrace the Texture: Rather than trying to make archive footage look “perfect,” embrace its authenticity. The grain, format quirks, and imperfections can add to the storytelling.



A Collaborative Achievement


Editing The Parkinson’s Drug Trial was a deeply collaborative process. Directors, producers, and researchers all contributed to shaping the narrative, ensuring the story honored the participants while delivering an accurate portrayal of the trial. The use of archive footage was a testament to the power of the past in illuminating the present, and I’m proud to have played a role in bringing this important story to life.


For editors working on projects with significant archive components, I hope these insights are helpful. Whether you’re delving into decades-old footage or integrating family home videos, the goal remains the same: to tell a story that resonates, informs, and endures.

See the full list of Cast and Crew here on IMDB.



The Telegraph gives The Parkinson's Drug Trial BBC Two series 5 stars










 

Film Editor Zoe Davis edited the Parkinson's Drug Trial series in 2019. The two-part series, directed by Jemima Harrison, won the Grierson British Documentary Award for Best Science Documentary and the RTS Best Documentary (Science and Natural History).

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