How Do You Film Documentary?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Tell a story you care about. Start with a subject that excites you. …
  2. Research. Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. …
  3. Make a Plan. Create an outline. …
  4. Create a Shot List. …
  5. Start Shooting. …
  6. Write a Script. …
  7. Begin Editing. …
  8. Check Legal and Copyright Issues.

What techniques are used in documentaries?

  • Voice-over. The voice-over in a documentary is a commentary by the filmmaker, spoken while the camera is filming, or added to the soundtrack during the production. …
  • Archival . …
  • Reenactment. …
  • Direct and Indirect Interviews. …
  • Montage. …
  • Exposition. …
  • Wallpaper Technique. …
  • Actuality.

How much does it cost to film a documentary?

By industry standards, a documentary costs

between $750 -1250 per minute of the duration

. However, you can easily make a low-budget documentary under $15000. A big-budget documentary can run beyond $2 million in production.

What equipment do you need to film a documentary?


Camera

: You can use DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, action cameras, and even smartphones to record footage. For the best versatility, pick a camera that lets you change lenses and settings. Microphone(s): At a minimum, you'll want a shotgun mic, but many documentary filmmakers rely on lavalier mics as well.

Can you film a documentary on a phone?

Portable Sound Recorder + Mics – An absolute must-have necessity when shooting a documentary with your phone (or DSLR) is an external audio recorder such as the Zoom H6n or at the very least a plug-in mic such as the Rode smartLav + lavalier microphone.

What are the 5 elements of a documentary?

  • Subjects. The subject is what your documentary is about. …
  • Purpose. The purpose is what the filmmaker is trying to say about the subjects of their film. …
  • Form. The form is the formative process of the film. …
  • Production method and technique. …
  • Audience experience.

Do you get paid for being in a documentary?

If you are a documentary filmmaker,

you NEVER pay anyone for participating

. … But a documentary takes us into the world of journalism, and journalism has certain rules and standards. One of these rules is, you never pay people to participate.

What camera is best for shooting a documentary?

  • Canon Vixia HF G40.
  • Panasonic Lumix GH5.
  • Sony DSC-RX10 IV.
  • Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.
  • Canon EOS C100 MK II.
  • Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H.
  • Sony PXW-FS7 II 4K XDCAM.
  • Canon C300 MK II.

What makes a good documentary film?

  • Subjects. The subject is what your documentary is about. …
  • Purpose. The purpose is what the filmmaker is trying to say about the subjects of their film. …
  • Form. The form is the formative process of the film. …
  • Production method and technique. …
  • Audience experience.

What are the steps to making a documentary?

  1. Tell a story you care about. Start with a subject that excites you. …
  2. Research. Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. …
  3. Make a Plan. Create an outline. …
  4. Create a Shot List. …
  5. Start Shooting. …
  6. Write a Script. …
  7. Begin Editing. …
  8. Check Legal and Copyright Issues.

Which app is best for making documentary?

  • BEST APPS FOR FILMMAKERS 2021. Scriptation. …
  • FILM PRODUCTION SOFTWARE. Studiobinder. …
  • BEST FILMMAKING APPS. Artemis Pro. …
  • APPS FOR FILMMAKERS. Helios Pro. …
  • FILM PRODUCTION APPS. LumaFusion. …
  • FILMMAKER APP. Upcast. …
  • 2021 FILM APPS. FiLMiC Pro. …
  • BEST FILMMAKING APPS. Adobe Premiere Rush.

Can you shoot a movie with an iPhone?


You can shoot pretty much any kind of film with an iOS device

. But if you're planning to shoot and edit on your phone, it's best to keep the movie short and simple. It's tricky to manage a long, complex movie on a phone or tablet.

How do you shoot a video on your phone?

  1. Choose a good background. Find a quiet space that isn't echoey and make sure we can hear your talent. …
  2. Shoot horizontally. …
  3. Keep your phone level. …
  4. Capture the best audio possible. …
  5. Check the focus. …
  6. Double check your video.

How do you film a documentary by yourself?

  1. Tell a story you care about. Start with a subject that excites you. …
  2. Research. Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. …
  3. Make a Plan. Create an outline. …
  4. Create a Shot List. …
  5. Start Shooting. …
  6. Write a Script. …
  7. Begin Editing. …
  8. Check Legal and Copyright Issues.

What is the key element of documentary?

Documentaries

focus on something other than the general human condition

. It involves individual human actions and relationships. These elements are considered a region of narrative fiction, and drama. Generally, documentaries focus on something more specific and factual.

What are the key features of a documentary?

Characteristics documentaries have in common that are distinct from other film types (especially from the fiction film) can be thought of in terms of: 1)subjects; 2) purposes, points of view, or approaches; 3) forms; 4)

production methods and techniques

: and 5) the sorts of' experiences they offer audiences.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.