Documentary Editor for Hire
I'm Robin Piree, a freelance documentary editor and director with over a decade of experience in filmmaking and post-production.
I've directed and edited two feature-length documentaries about DJ Hardwell, alongside music videos, concert films, and other projects for international artists and production teams.
I'm based in Dubai and available for documentary editing projects worldwide.
Whether you've just finished filming or already have hours of footage waiting to be edited, I can help you find the story and bring it together into a finished film.
Selected Documentary Editing Work
I've spent much of my career working with documentary footage, live performances, interviews, and moments captured behind the scenes. Here are three projects that have shaped the way I approach editing.
I Am Hardwell — If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It
My first feature-length documentary followed DJ Hardwell as his career grew from playing local shows to performing on some of the world's biggest stages.
The film brought together footage captured over several years, including touring, performances, interviews, and personal moments.
Much of the challenge was in the edit: finding a narrative within material recorded across different locations and turning it into a film that followed the person behind the music, not just the performances.
I Am Hardwell — Living the Dream
The second Hardwell documentary followed his international concert tour and the people working behind the scenes to make it happen.
I directed and edited the film, bringing together live performances, travel footage, interviews, and moments away from the stage.
With so much material to work through, the edit became an exercise in choosing which moments mattered, building tension, and balancing the spectacle of the shows with the human story behind them.
Documentary Editing Services
I work with directors, producers, artists, and production companies who need an independent editor to shape their documentary footage into a finished story.
Feature & Short Documentary Editing
Whether you're developing a feature-length film or a shorter documentary, I can help with the editorial side of the project.
That includes reviewing footage, developing narrative structure, assembling sequences, and refining the edit through feedback.
Music, Artist & Concert Documentaries
My strongest background is in music documentaries and films built around artists, live performances, touring, and creative people.
I've spent years working with footage where interviews, music, real-life events, and performances all need to support the same story.
I'm also open to discussing documentary projects outside the music industry.
Editing Existing Documentary Footage
You don't need to hire me to direct or film your documentary.
If you already have material captured by another director, cinematographer, or production team, I can join specifically as the editor.
That could mean starting with raw footage, working from an existing assembly, or discussing a project that's already partway through post-production.
Finding the Story in the Footage
One of the things I enjoy most about documentary editing is discovering what the material is really telling you.
You can begin with a clear idea of the story, only to find something more interesting in an unexpected interview answer, a quiet moment behind the scenes, or an event that wasn't part of the original plan.
During the Hardwell documentaries, I learned how important it is to give those moments space while keeping the larger story moving.
For me, good documentary editing isn't about making every sequence faster or more dramatic. It's about finding the right structure, knowing what to leave out, and giving the audience a reason to keep watching.
Working With Directors & Production Teams
I understand that a documentary is often a deeply personal project, especially for the director or producer who's spent months or years gathering the footage.
My role as an editor is to understand what you're trying to communicate, bring an outside perspective to the material, and work with you towards the strongest version of the film.
I'm happy to collaborate with an existing director, producer, or creative team. I don't need to have been involved in production to contribute to the edit.
I'm based in Dubai, but I work remotely with international clients. We can discuss footage transfers, creative reviews, feedback, and delivery around your project's requirements.
How a Documentary Editing Project Begins
Every documentary is different, so I prefer to understand the material before recommending a schedule or budget.
We can start by discussing the story, the footage you've already filmed, your current edit, and what you're hoping to achieve.
From there, I'll assess the editing scope, whether there's an existing assembly or rough cut, and what needs to happen before the film is ready for its intended next stage.
We can then agree on the editing approach, schedule, review rounds, and deliverables. If additional colour grading, sound mixing, graphics, or other specialist finishing work is required, we'll identify what needs to be arranged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. You can hire me specifically as your documentary editor, even if I wasn't involved in the filming. I can collaborate with your director or producer and work with the material your team has already captured.
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Yes. I've directed and edited two feature-length Hardwell documentaries, and I'm open to discussing both long-form and shorter documentary projects. The approach and editing schedule will depend on the material and intended final length.
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Yes. I'm based in Dubai and available for remote documentary editing worldwide. We can arrange how footage is shared, how feedback is collected, and how the project moves between the people involved.
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My standard editing rate is $1,000 USD per day. Project-based pricing may also be possible. The total depends on footage volume, narrative complexity, editing time, revisions, and deliverables.
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It helps to know what the documentary is about, how much footage you have, whether an assembly or rough cut exists, and the intended runtime.
Any creative references, delivery deadlines, and budget expectations are useful too. You don't need to have every detail figured out before getting in touch.
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We'll agree on the feedback process, review rounds, and deliverables before editing begins. My role is to develop and refine the cut with your team. Specialist finishing services, archival licensing, and other requirements can be scoped separately where needed.
Let's Talk About Your Documentary
If you're a director, producer, artist, or production company looking for an experienced documentary editor, I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Whether you've already filmed your documentary or are planning post-production, tell me a little about the project, the footage, and where you'd like to take it.