9781422287088

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Creating Films and Documentaries

FIVE STEPS OF FILM AND DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION

Films tell a story. They often use actors and various effects to create a story. The story could be true or fiction, or a combination of both. Documentaries, on the other hand, are always nonfiction. The people who are actually involved in the story often appear in the documentary. Technically speaking, all documentaries can be called films, but not all films are documentaries. Whether making a film or a documentary, projects go through the same steps. Not all steps are completed in the same way or in the same order, but all must be tackled if a project is going to be successful. The Idea Before anything else, there needs to be an idea. You’ve probably thought from time to time, That would make a great movie! Or you learn about an event or person, and then you search for a documentary on the same subject. But you’ve also probably seen enough bad movies and docu- mentaries to know not every idea makes a good film. To increase the likelihood of success, you have to think beyond your likes and interests. You must accept the fact that just because something interests you, it may not interest others—at least not in the numbers nec- essary to attract the interest of those with the power to get the project made. But if you’re a filmmaker (or you want to be a filmmaker), this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write about whatever interests or is important to you. Do you have special knowledge of or experience with a particular subject? This perspective can make a subject interesting to an audience. Once you come up with an idea, it’s time to turn it into a script. Many scriptwriters like to summarize the project in one sentence. This helps them clarify the project in their minds. After all, if it’s not clear to the screenwriter, it is unlikely audiences will understand it either. Ask your- self who you want to see the film, how you want the audience to feel