Documentary

Documentary:

Steps to making a documentary:

1. Find someone who has a story to tell OR find someone with a clear goal

2. The story will be most interesting if the stakes are increased as the story progresses

3. Suspense comes from your audience not knowing whether the goal will be achieved. You want to make it seem progressively more difficult

4. SHOOT B-ROLL! (use the 9-shot sequence)

   1. 2 x establishing shots

   2. 2 x wide

   3. 2 x medium

   4. 2 x CU

   5. 1 x creative / unique

5. The majority of your documentary film should be your B-Roll (at least two-thirds of the time). 

   1. If you are doing this project to make up for an incomplete film project, you will need to use the following proportions:

      1. no more than 1/3 "talking head" (your subject(s))

      2. 2/3 or more must be B-Roll

      3. Half of the B-Roll must be supplemental shots that you took.

6. Your B-Roll should match and support what is being spoken. Be creative!

7. Your documentary will be marked using the film rubric linked on the main page. You do not need to submit a script or storyboard. Please ensure you have all of the other items included in the rubric.

8. Everything in your documentary must be 100% created by you. You may use open source music or creative commons music and sound effects, however, you must provide a link to the author / source in your credits.

9. Nothing can created with AI.