Documentary is any video or non-fiction film that informs viewers about a real person, topic, event or issue. Some documentaries provide educational information about things that not many people know. Others tell detailed stories about important people and/or events. Still others try to convince the audience to agree with a certain point of view. No matter what topic you choose, shooting a documentary can be something that requires commitment. Follow this guide for some tips on making a documentary you can be proud of.
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Part 1 of 5: Writing and Developing Ideas
Step 1. Choose a topic worth watching
What will be covered in your film? Your documentary has to be commensurate with the audience's time (not to mention your own time). Make sure your topic is not commonplace or has been generally agreed upon. Instead, try to focus on a subject that is controversial and unknown to many, or try to present new information about a person, issue or event that has shaped public opinion. For an easy explanation, try to record interesting things and avoid boring and mundane things. This doesn't mean that your documentary has to be big or grand – documentaries that are smaller and more intimate have the same chance of being accepted by the audience if the story is interesting.
Step 2. Find a topic that interests you and enlightens and moves your audience
- Test your idea verbally first. Start telling your family and friends about your documentary in the form of a story. Based on their reaction, you can discard the idea or refine it and move on with your business.
- Even though they are educational, documentaries must still retain the attention of the audience. In this case, a good topic can make a big impact. Many documentaries deal with controversial social issues. Other documentaries tell of past events that evoke strong emotions. Some documentaries examine things that are considered normal by society. Others tell the story of a particular person or event to draw conclusions about a larger trend or issue. Whether you choose to take one of the approaches above or not, be sure to choose a subject that has the potential to hold the audience's attention.
- For example, making a documentary about everyday life in a small town is a bad idea, unless you really believe that you can make the lives of ordinary people look interesting and meaningful in some way. Showing everyday life in a small town linked to the gruesome murders that took place there is a better film idea -- showing how these crimes affect the town's residents.
Step 3. Create a goal for your movie
Good documentaries almost always have a core – a good documentary may ask questions about how things work in our society, try to prove or disprove the certainty of a certain point of view, or provide information about an event or phenomenon that the general public does not know about. encourage an action. Even documentaries about things that happened far in the past can be linked to the present. Despite the name, documentaries don't just aim to document something that happened. The goal of a documentary shouldn't just be to show that something interesting has happened-an excellent documentary has to convince, surprise, question, and/or challenge the audience. Try to show why viewers should experience certain feelings about the people and things you are filming.
Acclaimed director Col Spector says that, apart from not choosing an appropriate subject, the two most serious mistakes a documentary filmmaker can make are not asking meaningful questions and not choosing an important theme. According to Spector: "Before making a film, ask yourself, what questions do I ask and how can this film express my views?"
Step 4. Do some research on your topic
Even if you are already familiar with your chosen topic, doing extensive research before you start filming is still recommended. Read as much material on your topic as possible. Watch existing films on the same topic. Take advantage of the internet and any libraries you can access to find information. Most importantly, talk to people who know and are interested in your subject – the stories and details they provide will be a guide in planning your film.
- Once you've determined a general topic that interests you, use the results of that research to help narrow the topic down to more specifics. If, for example, you are interested in cars, list people, events, processes, and car-related facts that you came across and interested you specifically while doing your research. For example, you might be able to narrow the topic of a documentary about cars to a discussion about a group of people who work on classic cars and come together to show off and discuss them. Documentaries that focus more on specifics are often easier to film and sometimes easier to keep the audience interested.
- Study as much of the subject as possible and do some preliminary research to see if there are already documentaries or similar media projects. As much as possible, the documentary and your approach to the subject should be different from anything else that might also be out there.
- Do some preliminary interviews based on your research. This will give you the opportunity to start developing your story idea from the point of view of the main subject.
Step 5. Write an outline of the topic
This is very practical to use as a project guide as well as to show potential funders. The outline will also give you story ideas, as your project should center on a story with good story elements. In outlining, you'll also need to dive into the conflict and drama you'll need to keep the story building as it unfolds.
Part 2 of 5: Staff, Engineering and Scheduling
Step 1. Recruit staff, if necessary
Doing research, planning, recording and editing a documentary alone can still be done, especially if the scope of the documentary is relatively small or intimate. However, many people find the "one person, one camera" approach too difficult or produce amateurish and grainy footage. Consider hiring or hiring experienced helpers to make your documentary, especially if you want to work on an ambitious topic or want your film to be of a clean, professional quality.
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For help, you might try recruiting friends and acquaintances who have expertise, advertising your project through flyers or online ads, or contacting talent agencies. Here are some types of professionals you might consider hiring:
- cameraman
- Lighting
- Writer
- Researchers
- Editor
- Actors (for scripted sequences/replays)
- Voice recorder/editor
- Technical consultant
Step 2. When hiring or recruiting your team, look for people who share the same values when it comes to the subject of the documentary
Also consider hiring a crew that is new and young and inspired and knowledgeable about markets and audiences that you may have missed.
Always have discussions with cameramen and other creatives involved in documentaries. This will help make your documentary a collaborative effort, with a unified vision. Working in a collaborative environment will often result in your crew seeing things and contributing to projects in ways you might otherwise have missed
Step 3. Learn the basic techniques of filmmaking
The serious documentary filmmaker should at least understand how films are produced, shown, recorded and edited, even if he or she can't do it all alone. If you don't understand the technical process behind filmmaking, it may be a good idea to study filmmaking before making a documentary. Many colleges and universities provide filmmaking courses, but you can also gain hands-on experience by working around filmmaking locations both in front of and behind the scenes.
Although many directors have backgrounds from film school, practical knowledge can trump formal filmmaking education. For example, comedian Louis C. K., who has directed films and television series, gained filmmaking experience early on by working for a public-access television station in his area
Step 4. Get equipment
Try to use the best quality media equipment available (the most advanced cameras, etc.). Request or borrow equipment you can't afford, and use your contact list to gain access to filmmaking subjects and supplies.
Step 5. Create an arrangement, outline, and schedule for your filming
You don't need to know exactly how your documentary will be put together before the filming process begins – you may find things during the process that could change plans or provide new opportunities for research. But you should have a plan before you start filming, including an outline of the specific images you want to shoot. Planning ahead will give you time to schedule interviews, manage conflicting schedules, etc. Your filming plan should include:
- The people you want to interview specifically-contact them as early as possible to schedule an interview.
- The event you want to record as it takes place – arrange a round trip to the event, purchase tickets if necessary, and get permission from the event organizer so you can record during the event.
- Specific text, photos, pictures, music, and/or documents that you want to use. Get permission to use from the author or creator before you add it to your documentary.
- The dramatic re-enactment you want to record. Look for actors, properties, and filming locations ahead of the scheduled time.
Part 3 of 5: Shooting Documentaries
Step 1. Interview people related to the topic
Many documentaries devote time to one-on-one interviews with people who are knowledgeable about the subject of the film. Select relevant people to interview and collect as much footage as possible from those interviews. You can incorporate this footage throughout your film to help prove your point or get your message across. Interviews can be conducted "news style"-in other words, simply holding a microphone in someone's face-but you may be better off relying on a one-on-one sitting down interview, as this will give you the opportunity to control the lighting, background, and sound quality of the interview. your recording and allow your subject to feel comfortable, take advantage of his time, tell stories, etc.
- They can be famous or important people-for example, well-known authors who have written about your subject or professors who have researched your subject extensively. Yet many of them may not be well known or important. They may be ordinary people whose field of work makes them familiar with your subject or people who have simply witnessed events firsthand. In some cases, they don't even care about your subject-it can be enlightening (and entertaining) for the audience to hear the differences between the knowledgeable and the ignorant.
- Let's say we want to make a documentary about classic car lovers in Bandung. Here are some ideas for people to interview: members of the classic car community in and around Bandung, wealthy classic car collectors, grumpy old people who have complained to the city government about noise interference from classic cars, people the person who first visited the classic car show and the mechanic who worked on the cars.
- If you are confused about what to ask in an interview, have a discussion using basic questions such as "who?", "what?", "why?", "when?", "where?", and "how?". Often, asking someone a few basic questions about the subject will be enough to make him or her find a connection with an interesting story or insightful detail.
- Remember––a good interview should feel like a conversation. As an interviewer, you need to be prepared, have done your research and try to gather as much information from the interview subject as possible.
- Take as many B-roll records as possible. Record the subject after the official interview is over. This allows you to fill the movie with images other than recordings of faces of people speaking.
Step 2. Get live recordings of the related events
One of the advantages of documentaries (over dramatic films) is that they allow the director to show the audience real footage of real events. By not violating privacy rights, take as much real footage as possible. Record events that support your documentary's point of view, or if the subject of your film takes place in the past, contact the agency or person who owns the historical footage and ask for permission to use it. For example, if you are filming a documentary about the atrocities that occurred in the Trisakti Tragedy, you may need to contact the people who participated in the demonstration and collect existing handheld camera footage.
In our car documentary example, footage from classic car shows being held in and around Bandung would be much needed. But if you're a creative person, there's a lot more you might need to record. Take, for example, a town hall discussion about banning car shows, which might provide a dramatic tense atmosphere
Step 3. Record the establishing shot
If you've watched documentaries before, you're no doubt aware that the entire film isn't just recorded interviews and live events without anything in between. For example, there are often pre-interview pictures that set the scene or show where the interview is taking place by showing the exterior of the building, the urban skyline, etc. This image is called an establishing shot, and is a small but important part of your documentary.
- In our car documentary example, we need to take an establishing shot where the interview takes place. In this case in classic car museums, repair shops for spare parts, etc. We may also need to take pictures of downtown Bandung or Bandung's distinctive landmarks to show the nuances of the area to the audience.
- Always take sound recordings when shooting movies, including the atmosphere of the room and the unique sound effects of the location.
Step 4. Get the B-roll recording
In addition to establishing shots, you'll also need additional footage called a B-roll - this could be footage of an important object, an interesting process, or archival footage of a historical event. B-roll recording is important for maintaining the visual fluidity of your documentary and ensuring a fast pace, allowing you to keep the film visually sound while still having someone have to say.
- For our documentary example, we need to collect as much car-related B-roll footage as possible-images of shiny and dazzling car bodies or headlights up close, as well as footage of moving cars.
- B-roll footage is especially important if your documentary is going to use a lot of narration. Since you can't play the narration on an interview tape without removing the subject's voice, you usually have to put the narration on a B-roll recording. You can also use a B-roll to cover up flaws in an interview that didn't go perfectly. For example, if your subject is coughing in the middle of an interview that should be going really well, then during the editing process, you could cut out the coughing part and then insert the interview sound on the B-roll recording, thus masking the footage.
Step 5. Record a dramatic reenactment
If there is no original footage of the events covered in your documentary, you can use a number of actors to recreate the incident using your camera, provided that the reenactment is based on real facts and the viewer clearly knows that the footage is a reenactment.. Try to keep the dramatic re-enactment you're filming plausible -make sure whatever you decide to record remains rooted in reality.
- Sometimes, dramatic re-enactments will blur the faces of the actors. This is because it can feel strange to the audience to see an actor playing a real person in a film that also contains real footage of that person.
- You may need to film or edit the footage to give it a different visual style from the rest of your film (for example, by muting the color palette). This way, it's easy for your audience to tell the difference between the "original" recording and the rework.
Step 6. Keep a diary
While shooting your documentary, keep a diary of the daily filmmaking process. Include any mistakes you made as well as any unexpected surprises you came across. Also consider writing a directive outline for the filming process the next day. If the interview subject says something that makes you want to pursue a new angle for your film, take note of this. By keeping track of all the events on a daily basis, you are more likely to carry out everything according to plan and on time.
When finished, make notes by looking at the recording and noting the pictures that should be saved and discarded
Part 4 of 5: Putting Together and Sharing Your Movies
Step 1. Create a new outline for your finished film
Once you've gathered all the footage for your documentary, arrange it in an order that's interesting, logical, and keeps the viewer interested. Make detailed outlines based on one image at a time as a guide in the editing process. Include a logical narrative so the audience can follow the evidence that proves your point of view. Decide which footage to use in the beginning, in the middle, at the end, and which ones will not be used at all in the film. Show the most interesting footage, while discarding anything that feels tortuous, boring and pointless.
- In our classic car documentary example, we might be able to start the film with footage that follows interesting and fun activities to invite the audience into the world of classic car lovers. Then we can show an opening section with the names of the people involved, followed by recorded interviews, excerpts from car shows, etc.
- The end of your documentary should be something that pulls together all the information in the film and reinforces your main theme-this could be a standout final image or a memorable good commentary from an interview session. In our car documentary, we can choose to end the film with footage of a beautiful classic car being disassembled for spare parts-a commentary on the fact that classic cars are disappearing.
Step 2. Narrative recording
Many documentaries use voice narration that appears throughout the film, linking film interviews with real footage with clear narration. You can record your own narration, ask a friend for help, or even hire a professional voice actor. Make sure your narrative is clear, concise and understandable.
In general, voice narration should be played along with recordings containing unimportant sound-lest the audience miss something. Place your narration along with establishing shots, B-roll recordings, or original recordings with a voice that the audience doesn't need to hear to know what's going on
Step 3. Create graphics/animations to insert into the film
Some documentaries use animated or static graphics to convey facts, figures, and statistics directly to viewers in written form. If your documentary is trying to prove an argument, you may need to use it to provide facts that prove your argument.
- In our car documentary, we can use the text on the screen to convey statistics specifically about, for example, the declining classic car club membership in Bandung and nationally.
- Limit its use-don't constantly bombard your audience with written and numerical data. Viewers can tire if they have to look at a lot of posts, so only use this direct delivery for the most important information. A good rule is, whenever possible, "show, don't tell."
Step 4. Think of the music (original) while you are in the production process
Try hiring local musicians and people with musical talent in your films. Avoid copyrighted music by making your own music. Or you can find them on public domain sites or from musicians who want to share works based on their talents.
Step 5. Edit your movie
All the pieces are in place-now it's time to put them together! Use a commercially available editing program to combine your computer footage into a clear film (many computers are now sold with basic video editing programs). Get rid of anything that doesn't logically fit into the topic of your film. Make the most of your time during the editing process-give yourself plenty of time to make it fit. When you think the process is complete, leave it for a day, then watch the whole movie again and make any credits that you feel are necessary. Keep in mind the first draft. by Ernest Hemingway.
Keep your film as streamlined as possible, but be a logical and ethical editor. For example, if at the time of making a film, you come across strong evidence that contradicts your film's point of view, it would feel a little dishonest if you didn't think it existed. Instead, adapt your film's message, or better yet, find a new argument against it again
Part 5 of 5: Testing, Marketing and Delivering
Step 1. Have a movie screening
After editing your movie, you may want to share it. After all, movies are made to be seen! Show your film to people you know-could be your parents, friends, or other people whose opinions you trust. Then market your project as widely as possible. Host public screenings and rent, request or borrow a place where viewers can enjoy your work.
- Involve as many people as possible. For one person to appear in your project, that means two viewers who will come to your screening or buy your documentary.
- Submit your documentaries to film festivals but choose festivals carefully. Choose a festival that screens film projects similar to yours.
- Be prepared to receive honest feedback. Ask viewers to review your film. Ask them not to refine their review-you need to know exactly what they like and don't like. You can decide to get back into the editing process and fix what's missing based on their opinion. This could mean (but doesn't have to) re-record and add some scenes.
- Get used to rejection and brace yourself. After setting aside hours to make a documentary, you'll want the audience to react and respond. Don't be disappointed if they don't "clap in awe" at your work; we now tend to live in a world where media consumption and audiences have high expectations and low tolerance.
Step 2. Spread the word
Once your film is exactly what you want it to be and as good as you imagined it to be, it's time to show it off. Invite your family and friends to watch the final edits and attend a "director meet" session. If you dare, you can even upload your film to a free streaming website (like YouTube) and share it via social media or other online distribution platforms.
Step 3. Take your film to various places
If you think your documentary is really good, you should try having a theatrical launch. Often, the first place to show a documentary is at a film festival. Look for festivals that are near where you live. Often, film festivals are held in big cities, but some are sometimes held in smaller cities. Submit your film to the festival so that your film has a chance to be shown. Usually, you have to submit a copy of your film and pay a small fee. If your film is selected from a large number of applicants, your film will be shown at the festival. Films that generate "festival talk"-that is, films that get great acclaim at festivals-are sometimes purchased by film distribution companies for wider release!
Film festivals also offer an opportunity for you to gain the spotlight as a director. At film festivals, directors are often asked to talk about the film and himself in panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions
Step 4. Get inspired
Making a documentary can be a long and strenuous process, but it can also be a very rewarding process. Shooting a documentary can provide an opportunity to entertain and captivate audiences and educate them at the same time. What's more, documentaries provide a rare opportunity for filmmakers to change the world in a tangible way. Great documentaries can raise neglected social issues, change perspectives on certain groups of people or events, and even change things that run in society. If you're having a hard time finding the motivation or inspiration to make your own documentaries, consider watching or researching the influential documentaries listed below. Some of these documentaries are still considered highly controversial and/or generate debate – the makers of good documentaries welcome controversy with open arms!
- Born Into Brothels by Zana Briski & Ross Kauffman
- Hoop Dreams by Steve James
- Tupac: Resurrection by Lauren Lazin
- Supersize Me by Morgan Spurlock
- Thin Blue Line by Errol Morris
- Vernon, Florida by Errol Morris
- American Dream by Barbara Kopple
- "Roger & me" by Michael Moore
- Spellbound by Jeffrey Blitz
- Harlan County U. S. A by Barbara Kopple
- Burden of Dreams by Les Blank
- Zeitgeist: Moving Forward by Peter Joseph
Step 5. As a final message- enjoy the process
It is a creative experience and you will surely learn from your mistakes.
Tips
- Learn to edit. This will save you a lot of time that could be wasted putting together something difficult during editing.
- If you provide multiple points of view, you will create a more balanced and objective film.
- After burning your movie to DVD, try to find a license to sell your movie.
- You can also use Sony Vegas. The software is more complicated, but can make better movies and even comes with training DVDs. It's a great device for all kinds of movies.
- For more complex productions on a Mac, try Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere.
- Windows Movie Maker is great software to use! It's simple and can make a great movie.
- Try iMovie if you are using a Mac computer. It's similar to Movie Maker in that it's simple and can create great movies, and there are a number of templates available to polish your movie projects.
- Create a YouTube account and publish your movies online for the whole world to see. But don't use copyrighted music.
Warning
- If you include music in your movies, be sure to obtain permission to use the music.
- Be sure to include informative interviews, reenactments of events (or original footage, if possible) and factual documentation that supports the story from all sides. Documentary films are meant only to show the facts and let the audience make their own conclusions. Most importantly, make sure you don't edit or include your personal opinion in the documentary. If that happens, your work will become propaganda and not a documentary.
- Documentary films, like any other type of film, are a storytelling process. Most documentary filmmakers go out of their way, alternating the order of material to change the context of the interview, etc. Don't be afraid to make your story more interesting.
