ABSTRACT
A trailer should include the best bits of the programme or film without giving away too much of the plot. The term documentaries can cover a huge range of the television output, from the daytime house buying and selling programmes, to a documentary about the life and works of Alfred Schinttke. Another headache for documentary editors is that the source material can sometimes continue to arrive in the edit suite as researchers uncover some new and highly significant facts about our subject long after the programme has started to take shape. Eventually, with all the material in and the 'good ideas' only now serving to make the programme different and not necessarily better, it is time to stop and leave it alone. Sadly, all too often, the only whistle that is blown on this outpouring of 'creativity' is the fact that the programme is about to be transmitted.
