How to Make a Family Documentary

You've got the film bug. Experimenting with a video camera has inspired you to work with the vast possibilities of cinematography, and you've decided to start with your family. A family documentary can be a great service to your family that will be enjoyed for years to come. With a little attention to detail and a good map of where you want to go, you can shine as a family film maker.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A good digital movie camera

1. Get permission from your subjects. In the family, there are no release forms, but it doesn't hurt to inform your parents, sisters and brothers that you're wanting to make a film. For most families, it shouldn't be a problem. If you find yourself having to work around the concerns of family members, be sensitive about it, is your film worth strained relations?

2. Get old family movies. Some families have collections of old "Super Eight" or reel-tape films. Many companies now offer to make these old movies digital. Old family movies will be a powerful addition to your new footage, a contrast in time and a great addition of cinema elements. Don't ignore any stock footage you may have lying around.

3. Rely on direct testimony. You can run around the house for hours chattering to your viewers, but for best filming practices, getting a variety of people talking on screen provides a much better experience for viewers and a more interesting documentary. Think about what questions you can ask family members to really break ground in your film.

4. Keep an eye to the future. It's easy to get wrapped up in the exciting process of documenting your family and home, but in the end, you want to create something that people will want to watch for years. Think about what topics and scenes will make for interesting viewing down the road, and make sure those kinds of elements are front and center in your film.

5. Edit, edit, edit. That slow pan of the living room? Cut. Your sister mumbling on the stairway? Cut. Everything that is not crucial to the "plot" of your family film must go. This is the key to the difference between a really great family documentary and a careless, random piece of film that will sit in the closet forever.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid overkill. The most common mistake of family members behind the videocamera is TOO MUCH COVERAGE. Things happen SLOWLY, and viewers find themselves having a "realtime" experience. If we were meant to live the same hours of our lives over and over again, we'd have rewind buttons on our foreheads. Be reasonable with the camera, and use it sparingly for maximum effect.