9781422287088

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Creating Films and Documentaries

Special effects are also inserted during postproduction. Computer- generated imagery (CGI) replaces the green screen from the raw footage. Sometimes when you take photographs, the color doesn’t come out the way you want or expect. This can happen in movies and documen- taries, too. Color can be corrected during postproduction. In most documentaries and some movies, narration is added. The narration can be used to tell the story or tie up loose ends. Distribution The film or documentary is not going to be successful unless people see it. The project gets to the audience during the distribution process. If the film is not affiliated with a major studio , the first step is to find one to support the film, if possible. Film distributors take the completed project to theaters and sell rights to show it on television. DVDs, cable and satel- lite channels, and the Internet increases a project’s potential audience. An intense postproduction marketing campaign also occurs. Actors appearing in the project go on extensive promo tours. A film’s director, producer, or writer may also make promotional appearances. They are more likely to do so with documentaries, because most do not have a big-name star in the project. Besides driving audiences to theaters, television sets, or computers to watch the finished products, those involved in marketing also focus on other things. Ads are placed in trade publications to encourage award nominations, including the Academy Awards. Some films have products associated with them, such as toys, clothing items, and books. Market- ing departments make the connections and help promote the products.

SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, although technically documentaries are films, people often use the two words to talk about two somewhat different things.