I came to documentary making from a journalistic background. This is a little unusual because most people come to it from a cinema-graphic background. I learned about videoing, sort up, about what cameras work, and what cameras don’t, mic-ing up, and editing- at least from a voyeuristic perspective.
Briefly, I returned from the Middle East in February 2014, where I was head of a news service in Middle East and Africa. I knew that part of the world far better than I knew any other, so I wanted to produce something that used my knowledge of that area. That was difficult, not only because of the censorship laws operating in the region, which would have meant not filming there, but, as I found it later, any documentary had to be based in New Zealand and have a NZ perspective.
I chose the University of Canterbury to complete a Masters Degree because I have done by post grad diploma in Journalism there some years only and I had won the scholarship, which had enabled me to go to the UK. So I completed a Masters Degree in Fine Arts.
I’ve read the suggested rules for producing a documentary, and although I’ve followed them, with hindsight, it didn’t feel like that at the time.
(1) Tell a story you care about.
Start with a subject that excites you. If you’re lukewarm about the subject matter, chances are, the final movie will be too. Make a documentary you're passionate about and makes sense to YOU. There will be plenty of people who don’t “get” your idea. But if YOU get it, that’s what counts. – I chose refugees, and that was before it became “topic of the moment.” The completed documentary is called: “Stepping Up: NZ’s response to the refugee crisis”.
(2) Research
Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. Sometimes the story lines are obvious, sometimes not. Do a lot of digging and follow leads. This is where you put on your reporter hat. Gather facts and search for leads on interesting characters and story lines. The gems of your story are sometimes buried deep out of sight.
(3) Make a Plan
Create an outline. Think about HOW you’re going to tell your story. What’s the structure? The style? Is there existing footage or photos that help tell your story or will everything need to be shot brand new? Who is your primary character(s)? What are you core story points? What are the elements of your story that are compelling and/or make you “tingle” with intrigue? How can you create that intrigue for your audience? Is there some existing situation you can film or do you need to create the moment?
(4) Create a Shot List
This is a list of the footage and interviews you’ll need to make your movie. Think of it as your list of “ingredients”. Depending on the complexity of your project, you may or may not need to create a budget.
Although I interviewed a lot of people, not everyone can go into the documentary, especially when it’s talking heads, which mine is.
(5) Start Shooting
Are you making documentaries for the web, mobile devices, television, theater? Maybe a combination? Keep in mind HOW your movie will be viewed because that can dictate your shooting and storytelling style. (Hint: tiny details off in the distance will not be seen on an iPhone). Make sure when you're shooting an event to capture a variety of angles including close-ups, medium shots and wide shots. Click here for a list of low-budget documentary filmmaking gear.
I started shooting using a Sony HD video, from the campus. It isn’t difficult to use. I could manage it, but it was so much easier when I was shooting other people, rather than myself. Supposedly, it can be done but I think it is much better for me to do what I’m good at- that is interviewing people, than do the filming.
So all the footage that I used was from the Sony camera- a Sony PMW-5kit.
(6) Write a Script
Once all of the footage is shot and you’ve gathered the various production elements, time to start organizing it into a script. Pinpoint the most compelling elements of your story and start crafting "mini-scenes" around those events. Remember, a script isn't necessarily what's spoken or a voice-over. A script describes what the audience is seeing AND hearing.
(7) Begin Editing
This is actually one of my favorite parts of the process. It’s like putting together a great big puzzle! First you'll need to choose your video editing computer and video editing software. Once you're all set with equipment, you'll start putting down your clips of footage one right after the other in a sequence. The art with editing is to create a "roller coaster" ride of emotion, some parts fast, some part slow to create a dynamic viewing experience.
(8) Check Legal and Copyright Issues
Even though this is near the end of the list, it should actually be something you keep in mind from the very beginning and throughout the ENTIRE filmmaking process.
(9) Distribute!
Of course, now that you’ve done all the work making your documentary, you want people to see it, right? Never before have there been so many options for filmmakers to showcase their work. From theaters to television to DVD to the web, a new world of distribution is being invented right in front of our eyes. Making documentaries and showcasing your work is easier than ever. I used online. You can either find it on this website https://www.luciadore.com/blog/stepping-up-nz-s-response-to-the-refugee-crisis or go to https://vimeo.com/347214113
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