Documentary Filming

Before you start to shoot, you have to learn how to shoot documentary style. Of course take notes on these. Label it Documentary Filming. View this short video to review composition (label these notes as composition under Documentary Filming. Then label b-roll and cutaways and continue to take notes so you will know how to film and edit your mockumentary.

Key Review Points

    • Interviews aka (talking heads) - look off camera
    • dissolve transition to show time has passed
    • always use look room & rule of thirds
    • use head room for medium shots but not needed in closeup interview shots
    • Film effective b-roll clips using the various b-roll techniques (e.g. different angles of the same scene, sliding the camera, etc).
    • Cutaways - your secondary shots (include a variety: long, medium, closeup)
    • watch video on cutaways and take notes and apply
    • watch the boring video on the difference between cut-in and cutaway shots
    • use Nat Sound Breaks effectively
    • backgrounds with blurred out movement (low number aperture on camera lens) behind the subject or depth of field can be more effective than merely a wall

Shoot the interview

When shooting the interview the camera should be still. Try to set it up on a tripod, a desk or pile of books, or hold it really really still while supporting your arms and elbows so that you don't shake.

Do not record the interview shots anything larger than a medium shot. Stick with medium and closeup shots while making sure the camera is close enough to the subject to clearly hear their voice.

Always take a practice video shot and play it back while listening to the audio to make sure that it is clear and loud enough and that the video quality is set high enough while making sure you have enough space to record.

Make sure there are not any noises going on in the background of the interview. It helps if you have a phone and set it down on the table or close by so that it is near the person but out of view of the camera and use it to record a backup of the audio. You may find this to be more clear compared to your video you are shooting and you can just sync the audio later in iMovie.

It really helps to have an extra camera that you can set up so you can record two different angles of the interview at the same time and then you can cut and choose between the angles when you edit. If you do not have a second camera you should change your angles of the camera 2-3 times but no more.

You will not be including any of your voice or questions in the interview so it is important that what they are saying will flow well. For example, if you ask them a specific question like "Who inspired you growing up?" Don't have them just answer the question "My father" because he never gave up his passion" because then the audience will not know the context of this statement. They need to say "My father inspired me when I was young never to give up on my passions" or "I was inspired to never give up on my passions by my father when I was young." Do not let them just answer questions, you need to dig deeper and get them to formulate the story. For example your next question would be, "Why did your father inspire your...what did he do?"

Lighting is everything in the interview. It is best filmed during the day either outside or inside but near a window with natural sunlight. If you cannot and have to risk shooting at night then make sure you use plenty of lamps and position the subject and lights appropriately from what you learned about photography and shooting subjects.

If you are not using a tripod, film with your arms and hands close to your body and stabilize your arms against your chest and elbows on something like your lap or desk if you can. A little camera shake can sometimes ruin a shot.

Optional: Watch the last half of his video starting at 3:18 where IndyMogul discuss how to shoot a documentary.