How to Become a Documentary Researcher
A documentary film sets out to capture true and accurate portrayals of someone's life or to preserve the memory of a historical event while using just enough creative vision to captivate viewers. Filmed as real events unfold or presented through filming material that has been researched such as archival documents, photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, animations or film. As a documentary researcher, you will be charged with the task of finding and fact-checking this information.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Acknowledge your craving for intellectual pursuits and your natural fascination with the world and use those traits to guide you toward a career as a documentary researcher. Let your enjoyment for seeking information, learning obscure historical information or the fact that you always loved listening to your grandfather's childhood tales guide you.
-
2
Research your course of study. Look into universities with programs that fit your desired niche, whether it be English studies, history, journalism or another relevant major program, which will most likely fall within a liberal arts program. If you feel confident that you will become involved with documentary film production, look into universities with documentary film production programs so you can follow that discipline or study both in complement, such as at The New York Film Academy or the Muhlenberg College, for example.
-
-
3
Attend your chosen university and complete your chosen field of study. Use this time and your courses to "develop skills to tell your own story," according to The New York Film Academy. Think of your future career as that of being a storyteller, where you will ask people--much like yourself who are interested in the beauty of nonfiction stories--to trust in you and the story that you will tell them.
-
4
Approach your university's film department and request to be a part of its research team and film crew. If your chosen university does not have a film department, seek out an internship with the local public television station or public access station. By working in a real film or television department, you will learn what documentary filmmakers will expect of you once you have graduated and seek a job. Internships and volunteer positions also give you an opportunity to network for a potential inside connection upon graduation.
-
5
Start at the bottom. Send out your resume and don't write something off because you feel it may be beneath you or your education. See it as an opportunity in the making. Fetching coffee, coiling cables or breaking down equipment after a shoot will all be opportunities to show your willingness to work as part of a team. While you're working in the background, share ideas when the opportunities present themselves to you, or even better, when you seek them out. Talk to the directors of photography and all other staff to remind them that you want to use your research skills to help crew members fulfill their vision.
-
6
Continue to sharpen your skills once you have found your dream job as a documentary researcher. Always be mindful of possible storytelling ideas and be open to unusual angles for stories on which you are already working. Actively listen to conversations and be welcome to surprising ideas that come from unusual places.
-
7
Ensure that you stay updated on research materials and resources. Maintain your own personal collection of books and online resources. The library will be an invaluable resource so be in tune with your local library's online database as well as its permanent collection.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The New York Film Academy offers one year and a master of fine arts documentary filmmaking programs.
Other universities that offer documentary film programs include Prescott College, George Washington University, Emerson College, Ithaca College, Long Island University and Burlington College.
Learn about writing grants since documentary productions may sometimes be publicly funded.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
