How to Make Professional Documentaries

Documentaries have been making a splash in the film world in recent years, partly due to the success of Michael Moore's films on various subjects. These films are meant to educate people and open their eyes to realities occurring under their own noses, as well as distant lands and cultures. One increasing popular documentary type is the social-problem film, which examines an ill in a society and often offers possible solutions. Anyone can make a professional documentary--it just takes a good deal of time, some money and lots of patience.

Things You'll Need

• Access to filming and editing equipment
• Interview subjects/access to subjects
• Research materials
• Small crew

Instructions

1. Get familiar with documentaries, various styles, subjects, film-making techniques and approaches to the concept. Watch as many as you can to see all the differences and take note of what you think worked, what didn't and why. You might also get some new ideas about what you would like to do by watching the work of other before you.

2. Take film-making classes or hire a small crew that knows exactly what to do and will listen to your every word to ensure you get the shots you want and convey the story correctly. You can probably get some college film school students to help; they need experience and things for their reel and resume and will work for free (do provide food).

3. Find a subject that interests you and you think will interest others. Also make sure it's feasible and that you will have access to all the people, tools, research and events required to effectively tell the story. Take a common topic and put a twist on it. Find a person living in your city who has had a fascinating life and has a great story to tell. Have fun with your options.

4. Become an expert on the subject. Do lots and lots of research. Research online, go to the library and read and then make phone calls to ask more questions, find experts and so on. You should know everything there is to know, or as much as possible.

5. Write out a general outline or structuring of what you envision. Documentaries don't have set scripts to follow, but at least lay out the framework of how you see this story being told and what will become of it in the end. Describe footage you hope to get and interviews you will be shooting. Just give yourself and others a general look at how the film should turn out.

6. Set up all your interviews and filming dates. Confirm all interviews and set shooting schedules. Go out and shoot. Get more footage than you think you need and don't be afraid to just let the cameras continue to roll. You may catch the perfect moments in the times you didn't plan on shooting.

7. Edit the footage. Import everything, sort through it all and then edit it. Add in music, voice-over narration, special effects and graphics as needed. Find the best way to tell your story then share it with the world.

Tips & Warnings

• Overshoot everything so you have much more footage than you will ever need

• Keep the camera rolling, you never know what you will catch

• Be open to changing your concept halfway through if the footage starts to give you new ideas and twists to the story