How do I Make a film documentary? Any tips or sites that might help?

Question

I got a new video camera for christmas and I want to do I documenatry on my hometown and its historical landmarks. I need help making it!

Answer 1

The first step would be to make a brainstorm sketch of what you want to make.

Make Notes of every idea that pops in your mind.

Select areas and times you want to record with your cam.

after recording the stuff you wanted edited with any video editing program:
MS MovieMaker or any other(can't recall the other titles)

Answer 2

"Find or be your own producer. Get some paperwork ready for things like:
-On camera releases or depiction releases
-Location agreements
-Artwork releases

Anyone you film needs to sign the first one. Anywhere you film from needs the second and any video game you film needs something like the third.

Get a camera. Get or be your own camera man. Gets lots of tapes. Start filming everything you can. Find people you know. Set up interviews.

Once you have footage, get or be your own editor, and import it onto a computer. Get editing software, some are free. Put it together. Send it to festivals."

"well, to make a documentary requires

1) camera, try and borrow one.

2) there are free movie makign software on the net, but right now, i can't think of one right now. if you know somebody with a macintosh with the latest software, i think it has movie editing software on it.

3) to make it look professional, you gotta read some books on movie making, learn how to make the movie visually interesting, but not shocking, and exploitative. oh yeah, do not exploit anybody, or harass ppl, you have to learn about ethics in reporting.

4) and even before you consider putting to gether your documentary you have to first discover what you want to document, or interview. you have to put together a proposal on what you want to do, how you go about doing it, and what kind of research (library, living people, photos, etc.) to include in your documentary. you can just spontaneously go out and document something, because you'll only look foolish, and unprofessional.


5) very important: bias, if you are interviewing ppl, or gathering data, you have to ask questions that do not introduce personal bias/propaganda into the documentary. this is very difficult. if you want to win any kind of documentary contest, this is one skill you will have to learn and master."

"Forget about "spend no more money." You'll have to spend some. That doesn't mean you'll have to blow your life savings, but some practical purchases are in order.
Get a tripod.
Get an extra battery.
Get an external microphone. And headphones.
Get lights. Even worklights from Home Depot will work in a pinch.
Don't zoom in and out a lot.
If you want a closer shot, get physically closer, don't zoom in. Your shot will be more stable.
Turn off the TV and the stereo.
Avoid unnecessary special effects in editing. Cuts and fades will do.

Basically, you don't need anything fancy--it's your skill and creativity that will make the difference. But that doesn't mean you can go without some essential tools."

Or buy a book... http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/1VKI2M0WD0GVN/104-3702518-8730352?ie=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0

Hope this all helps?

Answer 3

A documentary about your home town sounds good to begin. First, have a good study about the historic and present nature of the subject and prepare a visual order as you need to write the narration of the visuals. Start visualising the subject in detail selecting a pattern of presentation that your subject needs to get conveyed to those who see it. Script down the needed visual vocabulary in order to have a good idea of what you are going to shoot. Select locations that registers your subject details and shoot it calculating the needed time required to convey the matter. Time is very decesive and precious in a documentation. After the shoot, edit it, place the commentry and music. Always have a professional attitude and approach when you film. Technology helps you a lot in filiming, but, remember, you are the decesive factor in determining what you want to shoot and show to the audience. So, study the subject well and film it.

Answer 4

I reccomend devianART for everyone. go to http://deviantart.com
It helps! Browse tutorials, ask other people questions, etc.