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make a documentary


 

How to make a documentary by EdgyVeggie

"Collaborating on a documentary ended up being completely rewarding, and really helped to pull me out of my shell."

How I did it: I did it by getting a backbone. It really took a lot of guts to approach total strangers, especially those who've worked with experience members of the media dozens of times. To pull this off, my documentary partner and I really had to be professional, on task, and engaged.

Lessons & tips: -Get all sides of the story. Even if you're trying to work an angle, it's more convincing if you are able to refute the opposing side.
-Study up on your camera before you start shooting. Looking professional is key.
-Don't trust the camcorder's microphone to pick up the sound you need. It would really be a shame to have to interview someone twice.
-Follow up your interviews with a thank you email. This is one thing I wasn't very good at remembering to do, but it's absolutely important (especially if you want another interview).
-Do your research. Don't just learn about how to shoot a documentary, but study up on your topic and the interview subjects.
-Be a member of the press. We went to a press conference, and it was really cool to be in the center of the action.


1 person found this helpful
 

Dec 24, 09:03PM PST | 0 comments | 4 cheers


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    Panama Law

    Untitled 2 weeks ago

    I’ve been compiling all the information for my documentary in the form of articles on my website (http://www.panamalaw.org). Soon, I will be making a documentary on asset protection, as the international game is changing. I would have gotten this done sooner, but we had to withdraw from Panama due to upcoming privacy violations.

    Jun 24, 02:02PM PDT | 0 comments


    ksera reviewing script

    In the middle 3 months ago

    Well, I started this project half a year ago. I have a lots of footage to edit. I am planning to shoot one more time and wrap up hopfully. I will start logging my around 30th tape now…

    Apr 06, 10:22AM PDT | 0 comments


    cwinkler school's out for summer

    i made a ski movie 5 months ago

    well it may not be a legit documentary, but it’s as close as i’m gonna get for now. A few of my buddies and i went on an all day excursion to find crazy sledable terrain haha. i brought a small video cam that i got for christmas and ended up makin a video of our day. it was so much fun, lot of good things to remember the day by most def

    Jan 21, 01:39PM PST | 0 comments


    puttingonmars is flowered

    about 6 months ago

    the human condition or the fluid meaning of all things or touch

    Jan 06, 02:28AM PST | 0 comments


    starryeyedfish

    Untitled 6 months ago

    i have an idea, i have a passion, i have friends who are willing to help out.

    Now…. I just have to do it!!

    Dec 26, 07:01PM PST | 1 comment


    rainbowscorpion wondering how the past is relevant to the future

    Ahh I have my concept now 7 months ago

    well i have a concept for my documentary..well im not writing it here are u crazy! its starts on the 1st of january and goes for a year. I can not wait to start this project

    Nov 28, 04:33PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    rainbowscorpion wondering how the past is relevant to the future

    doco art 7 months ago

    My documentry would more than likely be through photos drawings and writing, id love to put it in a book, like a collage.. I dont know what i am documenting yet, maybe im just documenting me and then ill put it in a book and sell it to myself, i really dont think anyone else would be intersted in it.
    actually as of new years day, next year i am going to document my own life for a year

    Nov 22, 09:46PM PST | 0 comments


    Say_Su

    Doc this... 7 months ago

    Documentaries have never been my cup of tea… to spark enough interest for me to do one.
    But of late, last 3 years, I have watched some really good ones that were, developed, structured, and INTERESTING….
    Who knew.
    Documentaries have come a long way….....
    And if you do a good one, it can come just like a feature.
    with IMPACT.

    Nov 14, 08:04PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    TryingLikeCrazy

    I have all the footage 8 months ago

    I bought the new Mac Pro computer. Need a monitor, and to get the software from my buddy, then I start uploading the footage and organizing.

    Oct 13, 12:34PM PDT | 1 cheer | 3 comments


    Elin

    Yeah, I did it! 10 months ago

    As a project in school, I made a 30 minutes long documentary about happiness. Thats about the best thing I’ve done in my entire life.

    Aug 19, 2008, 02:44AM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


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