Before going solo with Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser (1988), a portrait of the renowned jazz artist, Zwerin was best known for her long-term collaboration with filmmakers David and Albert Maysles, having worked as an editor on such landmark documentary features as Salesman (1969) and Gimme Shelter (1970).

Filmography of Charlotte Zwerin

• 1962 Showman editor
• 1964 What's Happening New York Meets the Beatles director, editor
• 1966 Meet Marlon Brando editor
• 1969 Salesman director, editor
• 1970 Gimme Shelter director, editor
• 1977 Running Fence director, editor, producer
• 1986 Islands director, editor, producer
• 1988 Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser director, editor, producer