How to write a documentary

Please outline what information i would put in a documentary

Reply

• Re: How to write a documentary
  Lamine Konkobo
  - 3rd Jun 2006 3:06
  I am studying the art of documentary making, so I find your question interesting. I am not an expert. I just want to share what I have learnt on the subject.
  
  Basically a documentary project is similar to that of a fiction, in terms of the shooting techniques. It is all about the light, the pictures and the sound. You should not take this lightly. Go for the great pic; record a great sound and you will dramatically enhance your production outcome. Do not envisage something that you wouldn't be able to show.
  
  Where fiction and documentary do part is how you write them. In a fiction you can set about writing the dialogues of your characters, as well as dictate them how they act.
  
  But with a documentary, you can't know in advance what a character will say. You may have an idea through your researches, but it can not be accurate. So depending on the type of documentary you are working on, you can start shooting straight away (experimental documentaries, based on observation) or go first into the footage stock libraries to find what visuals evidence you have available for your project (historic documentaries.
  
  Every writing as such comes after the visual evidence gathering stage. There is no way round that when you deal with documentary. However, if you want to reconstruct a scene for your documentary, you should be able to write a script as with a fiction project.
  
  I am working right now on a documentary project and I am more than happy to invite you to collaborate with me. It is my first project and I am going for it as a way to get to practice.
  
  
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary Garry - 16th Aug 2006 16:04
    Thank you for putting the info i was needing out there for others to learn from. The comment i was going to make was i start my HND at Edinburgh`s Telford college i know (just) how to write in script form for a peice of fiction but you hit the nail on the heaed when you wrote that theres no script for some documentary`s i stay in na inner city part of edinburgh and want to be a film director but were i stay it is the place is going to explode due to the ammount of police harrassment and i just want to get the story out i am the only person that the stupid theif to the gansta`s will talk to on camera ive been taking statements i just dont know were to start i dont have a camera i dont have a PC what i do have is enthusiasim and balls so once again thank you and if you have any free info to point me in the right direction i would be most gratefull
    
    
    • Re[3]: How to write a documentary
      Lamine Konkobo
      - 17th Sep 2006 23:03
      Hi Garry, Try to apply for even a short experience with a production company. Because you have enthusiasm, it won't be difficult for you to get an internship. Then, after some time in observing the process a film is taken through in its making, you will have enough confidence to pitch any idea you have to those who are likely to fund it. By the way check out the following:
      
      
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary golria - 9th Nov 2006 12:09
    could you please show me the structure of a documentary script, please?
    
    
    • Re[3]: How to write a documentary
      Nancy Line
      - 30th Jun 2007 19:19
      please give me an overview of how to write a documentary...
      
        See 3 more comments...
      
      
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary danito - 15th May 2007 7:53
    i want to know to know how to write a script
    
    
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary Ramu joshi - 13th Dec 2008 10:43
    I am a teacher but intrested in making documentries.I have explored a lot of areas.But i am technically unware to do so.Pls help me and in return i too cal let u know the areas to shoot.I am from nepal.
    
    
• Re: How to write a documentary
  Charles
  - 14th Jul 2006 20:12
  Is there a specific structure to the writing of a documentary. I understand how to plan out shots and the whole 9 but is there a structure?
  
  
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary
    Lamine Konkobo
    - 12th Aug 2006 4:26
    Hi Charles, As for a fiction film, structure is the core matter of documentary making. With the documentary though, you have the choice of going first for the pictures, and later on start the structuring at the editing stage; or have an outline of structure and then go chasing your pictures according to that structure. Either way, the bottom line is that you must have a teaser exposing what the documentary is about, and a dramatized development of what you exposed in the teaser. Give you advice: go out there, rent a documentary film you liked and watch it alone in your room with a critical eye. See how the whole thing will unfold and you definitely will spot that it's got structure. If you are undecided as to what doc film to rent, I recommand you "bowling for Colombine", by Mike Moore or "Farenheit 9/11 by the same director. The subject it covers may be controversial, but the technique and the procédé used is professional above the standards of the industry. To recap: You must structure your documentary. Gather your pictures, and knowing what you have got, you will then start the structuring thing at your Final Cut pro console. Alternatively, through your preliminary research you may have gathered a lot of information about your suject that can help you structure your movie beforehand, in which case shooting comes later. But such an a priori structure should remain flexible as everything is not bound to work out as you planned it on paper.
    
    
  • Re[2]: How to write a documentary
    Lamine Konkobo
    - 12th Aug 2006 4:29
    Hi Charles, As for a fiction film, structure is the core matter of documentary making. With the documentary though, you have the choice of going first for the pictures, and later on start the structuring at the editing stage; or have an outline of structure and then go chasing your pictures according to that structure. Either way, the bottom line is that you must have a teaser exposing what the documentary is about, and a dramatized development of what you exposed in the teaser. Give you advice: go out there, rent a documentary film you liked and watch it alone in your room with a critical eye. See how the whole thing will unfold and you definitely will spot that it's got structure. If you are undecided as to what doc film to rent, I recommand you "bowling for Colombine", by Mike Moore or "Farenheit 9/11 by the same director. The subject it covers may be controversial, but the technique and the procédé used are professional above the standards of the industry. To recap: You must structure your documentary. Gather your pictures, and knowing what you have got, you will then start the structuring thing at your Final Cut pro console. Alternatively, through your preliminary research you may have gathered a lot of information about your suject that can help you structure your movie beforehand, in which case shooting comes later. But such an priori structure should remain flexible as everything is not bound to work out as you planned it on paper.
    
    
• Re: How to write a documentary pietro molica lazzaro - 1st Dec 2007 14:56
  Hi everyone, my name is Pietro and I need your help. I’m writing a TV programme brief and I really don’t know how to do this because I never done anything like this before.
  
  The brief I need to submit requires the following area to cover:
  1. Programme Title
  2. A statement of the Problem Area to be Investigated
  3. Statistical Data to Quantify the Problem
  4. Creative & Innovative products/services to help solve the problem
  5. A statement of the visual style of the programme
  6. A statement of the content delivery – key presenter, or various experts being interviewed.
  7. Critical Analysis of the problem & suggested ways forward for the sector in general
  
  I’ve already done most of the points but I’m stuck on the 5 – 6. I’m not a media student and I don’t have any knowledge on the subject so any help would be much appreciates.
  
  Thanks so much
  
  Pietro
  
  PS if anyone sends me something could you please reference because I need this stuff for an academic peace of work.
  
  
• Re: How to write a documentary jt - 9th Dec 2007 18:48
  how do i write a documentary i am writing one.. and everything i say has to be backed up with a page or site and i don't knoe how to write like that