The art of making documentaries is a challenging but fulfilling endeavor. Phases of the process include searching for ideas, honing scriptwriting skills, seeking videography tips and soliciting lighting suggestions. However, the best advice for making a documentary is to jump right in and begin the filmmaking journey. In the past, short films were pitched in theaters before they became feature presentations. Because the market for short movies waned, advertisements and trailers became their replacements, making finding investors nearly impossible. Conversely, with the emergence of the internet, festivals and crowdfunding, filmmakers have more options than ever for producing their stories.

Sharing Your Passion

A short movie is an excellent approach for sharing a story or launching a message within a limited timeframe. Filmmakers traditionally utilize this strategy for sharing the mission of a non-profit business or organization. Accordingly, there are several critical distinctions to keep in mind when producing a documentary. First, the movie will likely need to pass through an approval process, making it crucial that expectations for the film are explicit. Also, the producer ultimately determines the film techniques. With that in mind, here are eight basic steps for making a documentary.

1. Research the subject

Learning everything possible and searching for leads about the documentary subject is essential, because the story lines may not always be obvious. The data gathering process includes mining the internet, conducting pre-interviews and recording sources to shape and focus initial ideas. The investigation uncovers facts, determines background information, identifies characters and defines actual filming locations.

2. Devise a plan

Creating an outline that incorporates the overall structure, existing photos or footage, characters and core story points is essential. Highlight and showcase the compelling elements of the story and determine how employing them can lead to audience intrigue. For instance, there may be an existing situation for filming instead of recreating an event.

3. Check copyrights and legal issues

Make sure to investigate legal and copyright issues at the beginning and throughout the entire filmmaking process. The right to copy law protects producers and the original movies they create, including deciding who views and copies them. It is also necessary to obtain permissions for interviews and locations as well as clearances for using photographs, music and artwork in the production.

4. Develop a shot list

Creating a footage schedule and an interview list is necessary to start filming the movie. Depending on the complexity of the project, building a budget can be helpful. Also, while there are no rules for shooting documentaries, keep in mind that it is difficult for audiences to relate to more than seven or eight characters in a movie.

5. Begin filming

The viewing platform dictates the storytelling and shooting styles. For instance, determine whether the documentary is for theaters, television, the web or mobile devices, because small details are difficult to see on smartphones. Make sure to capture a diverse range of angles such as wide, medium and close-up shots when filming the event.

6. Outlining the script

After shooting the footage and gathering several production components, start organizing the details into a script by pinpointing the most gripping features of the story and crafting small scenes around those particular situations. Remember, a script is a description of what the audience sees and hears, not just a voice-over.

7. Start the editing process

The editing process is similar to completing a large puzzle. First, choose the video editing computer and software, and then review clips of the footage in a sequence. Remember, the art of editing is to focus on generating emotion and creating a powerful viewing experience.

8. Distribute your documentary

There are multiple alternatives for filmmakers to exhibit their movies. Innovative distribution platforms are always being invented, making showcasing documentaries easier than ever.

The purpose of a documentary or short film is to ask the right questions and teach others about something interesting. That means understanding the fundamentals of the subject before starting the project to enable the production of some highly entertaining footage. Regardless of the topic, an engaging film should say something new about the world. A short film is nearly as time-consuming as a feature-length movie, and Thor Halvorssen confirms that planning a documentary is frequently the best method for turning a vision into reality.

Fundraising Tips

Make it a priority to build a fundraising team of three to five people to develop strategies for raising money, and then plan to show a professionally edited and compelling trailer. In addition to the trailer, create a proposal clearly outlining the project, including a synopsis, crew biographies, detailed budget and production schedule. Also, create a social media community around the film with a donate button next to the trailer and search for documentary film grants. Even though the fundraising process is daunting, conveying a passion for the cause and a strong belief in its mission can make a difference.