What documents to help plan a documentary? at DVinfo.net

Ben Davies · February 25th, 2013, 01:28 PM

Hi

In the process of planning a documentary.

So far I've got a document with a basic outline of projected deadline I want to get things done by. I've also got some storyboards and a document with my interview questions.

Is there anything else which can help me in the process of planning a documentary? (first time doing a project of this scale).

Thanks

Les Wilson · February 25th, 2013, 01:53 PM

I always considered watching the National Film Board of Canada's interviews with 30 top documentary filmmakers a helpful activity before I undertook my own first documentary. YMMV
Playlist : Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary - NFB

Ben Davies · February 25th, 2013, 02:15 PM

Cheers. Will rent it and check it out, anyone else got any tips?

Kevin Lewis · February 25th, 2013, 04:44 PM

As part of the process you should start thinking about what release forms you will want to use. You should get everyone thats appearing in your documentary to sign a relase form. If you are using photographs that you dont own, you will also need to have a release for those. The last thing you want to do is put together a really great documentary and then not be able to use portions of it. Also, you should consider getting anyone thats helping you film, to sign a document stating that all footage belongs to you and that you are the sole copyright holder. You may want to consider speaking with an attorney for addtional guideance.

Les Wilson · February 25th, 2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Davies

Cheers. Will rent it and check it out, anyone else got any tips?

It's online. No charge.

Frank Maxwell · March 22nd, 2013, 07:02 AM

Any interviews you do make sure you use some cut-aways shoots. Pick a topic what will interest the audience. Then again if the subject material is limited for example how to grow a lawn make it exciting to watch.
What subject are you planing to tackle?.

February 25th, 2013, 01:28 PM	#1
Ben Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Birmingham, England. Posts: 61	What documents to help plan a documentary? Hi In the process of planning a documentary. So far I've got a document with a basic outline of projected deadline I want to get things done by. I've also got some storyboards and a document with my interview questions. Is there anything else which can help me in the process of planning a documentary? (first time doing a project of this scale). Thanks

February 25th, 2013, 01:53 PM	#2
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: What documents to help plan a documentary? I always considered watching the National Film Board of Canada's interviews with 30 top documentary filmmakers a helpful activity before I undertook my own first documentary. YMMV Playlist : Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary - NFB

February 25th, 2013, 02:15 PM	#3
Ben Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Birmingham, England. Posts: 61	Re: What documents to help plan a documentary? Cheers. Will rent it and check it out, anyone else got any tips?

February 25th, 2013, 04:44 PM	#4
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Re: What documents to help plan a documentary? As part of the process you should start thinking about what release forms you will want to use. You should get everyone thats appearing in your documentary to sign a relase form. If you are using photographs that you dont own, you will also need to have a release for those. The last thing you want to do is put together a really great documentary and then not be able to use portions of it. Also, you should consider getting anyone thats helping you film, to sign a document stating that all footage belongs to you and that you are the sole copyright holder. You may want to consider speaking with an attorney for addtional guideance.

March 22nd, 2013, 07:02 AM	#6
Frank Maxwell New Boot Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Trowbridge,England Posts: 11	Re: What documents to help plan a documentary? Any interviews you do make sure you use some cut-aways shoots. Pick a topic what will interest the audience. Then again if the subject material is limited for example how to grow a lawn make it exciting to watch. What subject are you planing to tackle?.