How to become a documentary filmmaker?

How to Become a Documentary Filmmaker

• Answer:

  A career as a documentary filmmaker can provide personal satisfaction as well as monetary gain. A documentary filmmaker can entertain and educate simultaneously. With the right subject, a director can receive critical acclaim, awards and financial compensation. To begin a career making documentaries, you must first learn the craft of filmmaking. Once you know the techniques, find a subject you are passionate about and set about making your documentary. Difficulty: Moderate Instructions Watch documentaries to familiarize yourself with the style. Watch multiple documentaries by the same director, notably acclaimed directors such as Ken Burns, Joe Berlinger, Errol Morris and Morgan Spurlock. Note how the individual director's voice is present in each documentary. Apply to film school. A number of schools have highly rated programs that train documentary filmmakers, including Duke, Stanford and the University of Florida. Study the legal ramifications of documentary filmmaking. Documenting real people and situations opens you up to dissatisfaction and even legal action from your subjects. Compile a list of subjects you feel would make a compelling documentary. Narrow that list down to subjects that are feasible given your budget and access level. Choose one topic out of the remaining list to make a documentary about. Write a script for your documentary. Unlike a narrative film, your script will consist of shots you wish to accomplish, narration and interview questions. The finished script will be more of an outline than a strict guide. Create a budget for your documentary. Be realistic and look for creative ways to cut costs, such as renting or borrowing equipment as opposed to purchasing it. Purchase or rent film equipment. A camera and editing software constitute the bare minimum. If you have a slightly larger budget, consider purchasing lights, microphones and a c-stand as well. Film your documentary. Ensure that anyone appearing in the film signs a waiver acknowledging that they are a willing participant in the process and that you have their permission to put their image and voice in the finished product. Edit your documentary. Only include your best footage that properly explores the subject without getting repetitive. The film should have a logical beginning, middle and end. The process starts with making your point, providing evidence to support it and wrapping it up in the end. Submit your documentary to film festivals to gain exposure. Look for reputable festivals that provide exposure to studios and distributors. The goal is to get your film picked up for distribution. Build on your success -- or failure -- from your first documentary and make another. Continue making films as long as you have subjects you are passionate about and the means to obtain financing. If your films are well received, you can sustain a career as a documentary filmmaker.