How to Prepare for a Documentary Shoot

Preparing for a documentary shoot can be a thrilling yet daunting task. Getting your film right involves meticulous planning, creativity, and a deep understanding of your subject matter. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned filmmaker, having a clear roadmap is crucial for a successful documentary. In this blog post, we will explore essential steps that will help you prepare effectively for your documentary shoot.

Understanding Your Documentary Preparation

Before diving into the logistical aspects, it's vital to grasp the essence of your documentary. What story do you want to tell? How will you approach that story? What's the end result you hope to see? Yes that end result may change but you have to have a roadmap to aim at something and understanding your subject matter will guide your preparation and help focus your filming style. Spend time researching your topic thoroughly. Consult books, articles, and even existing documentaries to gain insights.

Pro Tip: It's especially important to watch other documentaries that focus on your subject or niche, not to copy them but to actively try and find your own unique voice, what worked well, what didn't work, did they say something you didn't think about or did they miss explaining an important topic? If your documentary is saying nothing new, then why would you expect viewers to watch?

Additionally, consider your target audience. Who are you creating this documentary for? Having a broad category like "nature enthusiasts" isn't enough. What gender, age range, even income status are they? Narrow it down as much as you can, because knowing what their interests and expectations are will enable you to tailor your narrative accordingly. It really is a foundational step to ensure your documentary resonates with viewers.

Creating a Detailed Plan

Once you have a clear vision, it’s time to create a detailed plan. This plan should cover various aspects, including scheduling, location scouting, and equipment checks. A well-structured plan can mitigate potential issues on the shooting day.

1. Scheduling: Create a timeline for your shoot. When will you be filming? Who will be involved? When should you be going into post-production? And when is the release date? Having a clear schedule will not only ensure that everyone on your crew etc is on the same page, but will allow potential investors in your project to know what to expect.

   
   

2. Location Scouting: When possible, visit the shooting locations in advance. Note any potential challenges or changes in lighting conditions throughout the day. Sometimes even a quick Google Street View look at the location will help you get your bearings for what you can shoot. If you'll be using interior locations like a store or house, what's the best time for filming? Will you need lighting? Right down to simple things like is there a place to safely set up and store gear? Familiarizing yourself with the environment will allow for smoother transitions during filming.

   
   

3. Equipment Preparation: Make a list of all the equipment you need. This includes cameras, microphones, and lighting gear. Then importantly make sure everything is in working order before the shoot, charge all the batteries, make sure you've got more than adequate storage (memory cards, hard drives etc). If you haven't used a particular piece of equipment before, study up on it and put it to the test. You want to make sure you can run smoothly through shoot days and You definitely don't want to discover a malfunctioning microphone in the middle of an interview.
   

4. Detailed Checklist: I believe a little bit of OCD can do a long way in preparing for a shoot. Take the time to create a extensively detailed checklist of everything you need, and triple check it's all packed and in the car for shoot day. On a documentary film you may also be travelling to multiple locations, so you'll be in and out of hotel rooms and setting up and packing down in multiple spots. So keep that checklist handy to ensure you don't leave anything behind.

   
   

Engaging with Your Subjects

Engaging with your subjects is a pivotal part of documentary filmmaking. Whether you're interviewing experts or everyday people, building rapport is essential. So take time to communicate with them before filming, go over some preliminary questions to give them a sense of what might be asked on shoot day, do what you can to make them feel relaxed, allowing them to express their stories comfortably.

Side note: Even if you know you will likely be facing a hostile interview situation, it's best to make them feel like you're going to be fair and hear their story with open mind. The more they relax with you, the more they'll likely spill the beans.

When conducting interviews, always use open-ended questions. This technique encourages subjects to delve deeper into their experiences, providing richer content for your documentary. There's nothing worse than asking a question and only getting "yes" or "no" as a response. And unless you will be a focus of the film, like an onscreen host, you need your subject to help set up the context for their answers or else you're left having to use your bad audio asking the question off screen in the final edit. So, for example, instead of asking, “Did you enjoy the event?” consider asking, “What was your experience like during the event?” This shift can lead to more compelling and insightful responses.

I personally always start my interviews, before the camera rolls, with a version of this simple set up to let the subject know what's coming, I'll say "When I ask a question, what can really help you flow into your answer is to paraphrase my question a bit. So if I ask 'What did you have for breakfast this morning?', you could start your answer with, 'For breakfast this morning I had...'".

Moreover, be respectful and sensitive to your subjects’ emotions. Documentaries often explore deep and personal themes. Acknowledging your subjects' vulnerability creates a safe environment conducive to open dialogue.

Filming and Post-Production Considerations

Once the filming begins, it's vital to stay flexible. Often, unexpected events can lead to better stories. So be sure to embrace unknown while sticking to your main narrative or even be aware enough to know when you need to throw your main narrative out the window to refocus on the real story that unfolds. Remember, documentary filmmaking is about capturing real moments.

As you wrap up your shooting days, it is critical to think about post-production. Review your footage regularly to ensure you've captured everything you need and importantly STORE IT! We've worked as post-production on many projects and seen whole days worth of shoots be lost because the crew didn't properly back up their files. Which in some cases could add up to tens of thousands of dollars lost, locations and experts you can't reshoot, and the loss of important parts of your documentary. So not only review your footage, but back it up (preferably on multiple drives). This process can save time and heartache later on and help identify any additional shots you may require.

Editing is where your story takes shape but you should start piecing that story together in your mind during the shoot. Don’t just throw together scenes when you reach post, think about how each segment links to the overall story arc. And if you're doing this while shooting, you may find some obvious gaps that need to be filled, and you can resolve it before you find out in the edit suite.

Final Thoughts on Documentary Preparation

Preparing for a documentary shoot requires a blend of organization and creativity. By understanding your subject matter, creating a detailed plan, and engaging with your subjects, you can set a strong foundation for a compelling documentary. Remember to stay flexible, as some of the best moments are often unplanned. With careful preparation and a collaborative spirit, you can produce a documentary that resonates with audiences and stands the test of time.

Incorporating these essential steps not only develops your skills as a filmmaker but also helps bring your vision to life. As always if you want to talk to our award-winning crew about how we can support your film or series, just get in contact and we'll be happy to help. Happy shooting!