How to Make a "Kick Ass" Documentary

Preproduction

Your first step is to settle on which team you will work on. Remember, each group can be no larger that three members. Take these questions and make up a slide show using Keynote to answer them. You should start scheduling your shooting time now. You will be able to check out a camera for 24 hours at a time (except for weekends). You must have your interviews scheduled in advance.

The questions for your pre-production are below. Here is a text only version of the questions if you like that you can look at and use in your slide show.

Name of your documentary:

Names of team members (max 3)

How do you plan to tell your story (interviews, existing footage, photos, animation, et al)?

What style will you use (interview, fly on the wall, narration)?

Who is your primary character?

Describe this person in some detail.

What other characters will you use?

Describe them in some detail.

List your core story points (the essential ideas that will make your documentary interesting).

Create a shot list. List all the important shots, interviews, etc. that you will be shooting.

List the type of "B" roll (background footage you will need to create).

What kind of "special elements" will you include (recreations, cartoons, animations, music)?

A great documentary should have a strong start, something that hooks the audience and makes them want to watch it. What are some ideas you have for the first minute or so of your documentary?

What is the "take away" (what is it you want people to walk away with after they see your movie)?