What Is A Documentary? "Documentaries bring viewers into new worlds and experiences through the presentation of factual information about real people, places, and events.” Sheila Curran Bernard, Documentary Storytelling
May 12, 2015
What Is A Documentary?
"Documentaries bring viewers into new worlds and experiences through the presentation of factual information about real people, places, and events.”Sheila Curran Bernard, Documentary Storytelling
A Documentary Has
• Factual Information• Real People• Real Places
A Documentary Has:
• Factual Information– Not distorted– Not one-sided• Daniel Patrick Moynihan – “Everyone is entitled to his
own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
A Documentary Has:
• Factual Information– Not distorted– Not one-sided
• Real People– Actors - sometimes such as in Civil War films– Recreations – sometimes in crime reports
A Documentary Has:
• Factual Information– Not distorted– Not one-sided
• Real People– Actors - sometimes such as in Civil War films– Recreations – sometimes in crime reports
• Real Places– Maps– Graphics
Essential Elements
• The Open– Grabs Your Attention– Sets up the subject matter– Draws in the viewer
How To Do That
• Emotion• Shock• Interesting Video• Interesting Information
Emotion
Shock
Interesting Video
Interesting Information
The Documentary
• Set Up• Body• Conclusion
The Documentary
• The Set Up– Tell them what you are going to tell them– Brief outline of the subject– Make the audience want to watch
The Documentary
• The Body– Tell them what you are telling them• Voice Over narration• Video that shows the subject matter – B-roll
– Sometimes voice over– Sometimes full sound
• Interviews that add information, impact or emotion• Graphics that enhance the viewer’s understanding
The Documentary
• The Conclusion– Tell them what you just told them• Summary of important elements
– Use different graphics– Additional information
– Opinion of the producer• The viewer has the information to understand the
subject• Now the producer can present a point of view
The Close
• Title– Music Full Sound
• Credits• Fade to black
How To Get There From Here!
• Find a subject– Something you are:• Want to know more about• Angry about• Confused about
– Something related to a constitutional issue• Free speech, Freedom of Religion, Free Press• Interstate commerce• Taxation, Gun control, Criminal prosecution
How To Get There From Here!
• Do some research– Get the basic information– Find potential interviews– Locate places for B-roll video
How To Get There From Here!
• Write a treatment– A basic outline– Explains the subject– Tells why we should care– Shows how you will get it done
How To Get There From Here!
• Line up and shoot interviews– First prepare questions– Listen to responses and follow-up– Take notes
How To Get There From Here!
• Shoot B-roll video– Match video to elements of interviews– Use video to show subject matter– Video is essential to cover voiceover narration
How To Get There From Here!
• Produce a Rundown– An outline of the documentary– Lets everyone know the order and flow– Organizes elements for everyone working on the
video
How To Get There From Here!
• Create Graphics– Help explain subject– Reinforce visually the narration
How To Get There From Here!
• Write the voiceovers– Provides the basic information– Short declarative sentences– Keep them tight and to the point– Remember to coordinate with the video
How To Get There From Here!
• Edit the elements– B-roll edited to match the narration or vice-versa– Interviews edited for proper effect• For emotional impact• For credibility
– Cut for proper length
How To Get There From Here!
• Assemble the documentary– Pull all the elements together in a cohesive piece– Trim videos or re-cut when necessary– Rewrite and record voiceovers where necessary