Documentaries are the darling child of the film industry, and many in the industry aspire to create them. They possess a special, wholesome allure, allowing creators to escape the confines of money-hungry producers found in reality and narrative programs. But what exactly is a documentary or docu-series? Do you or someone you know dream of making it big with documentaries? Follow along as we explore what a documentary is and what it takes to make one.

What Is a Documentary?

At its core, a documentary, or doc as it's known in the film industry, is a non-fictional program that presents real events, issues, or people. Unlike narratives, documentaries aim to capture and portray reality. They often use interviews, footage, photographs, and sometimes reenactments to tell a compelling and factual story. However, they are more similar to reality TV since both genres use interviews, B-roll, and produced scenes to tell their stories. The differences emerge when you look closely at the program's intent. What is the program's purpose? Is it trying to educate first and entertain second? These are crucial questions when deciding if something is a documentary.

There is also a distinction between a documentary and a docu-series. A documentary is typically feature-length, while a docu-series takes the same concept and breaks it into episodes. A famous example of a docu-series is the Planet Earth series, an hour-long nature documentary with new episodes premiering weekly. While the distinction between a documentary and a docu-series is relatively unimportant in the industry, it's good to know the difference.

Documentaries can cover a wide range of subjects, including social issues, historical events, biographies, nature, and more. You can create a documentary on just about anything. There are various ways to tell a documentary story, often categorized by documentary modes. While knowing these terms is not essential unless you're pursuing a degree in the field, it's important to understand the creator's vision and how they tell their story. Do they act as if the camera does not exist, merely observing things as they naturally happen? Is there a narrator explaining everything? Do the people on camera talk directly to the camera? Does the documentary make sense, or does it seem chaotic?

To sum up, a documentary is a collection of stories aiming to educate or empower more than entertain.

The Ethical Dilemmas in Documentary

While making a documentary, creators must decide how "real" they want their project to be. If it's too educational, it risks not attracting much attention, potentially losing money. But if it becomes overly dramatic, bordering on sensationalism, it may be perceived as fake, causing public backlash. Most documentarians strive to balance education and entertainment. Some, however, may choose to lean towards sensationalism for more attention. An example is the documentary Super Size Me, which highlighted the negative effects of eating only McDonald's for thirty days. It was entertaining, though disturbing, and very successful, garnering much attention and making its money back. However, its credibility was questioned due to its focus on shock and awe.

This ethical dilemma is something documentarians must consider when planning their projects.

The Process of Making a Documentary

The Idea

It all starts with an idea, whether it's a personal passion, a societal issue, or a quirky subculture. An original idea attached to a compelling story is essential.

Research

Once you have your idea, it's time to research. Filmmakers need to understand the ins and outs of their subject to create a plan for who and what they will film.

The Plan

Filmmakers must outline who and what they will film. Documentaries often cannot plan every scene in advance, as much of the story is discovered in the field. However, having an outline with goals, a general list of scenes, interviewees, and necessary B-roll is crucial, along with logistics like locations and crew.

Interviews

Interviews are a common element of documentaries. Filmmakers sit down with experts, witnesses, and sometimes the protagonists. Capturing genuine, unscripted moments is key to bringing the narrative to life.

B-roll

B-roll is the term used for supplementary shots that enhance a scene or interview. In documentaries, B-roll is vital, adding elements to scenes and interviews, creating backdrops for stories, and serving as transitions.

Editing

Editing a documentary is a lengthy process, sometimes even taking years. Filmmakers must sift through countless hours of footage to find snippets that tell their story. Patience and perseverance are crucial. The editor's vision must align with the filmmaker's to ensure the project feels cohesive.

Distribution

After completing the documentary, the next step is distribution. Filmmakers often showcase their work at festivals to gain exposure. If you're looking for more advice on submissions, here's a great checklist to make sure you have your ducks in a row. Festival screenings are crucial as they attract potential buyers. If festivals don't work out, filmmakers must pitch their documentary to networks, which requires marketing skills and patience.

Documentaries have shown audiences that a film or series can be both entertaining and informative. Many film industry professionals dream of traveling the world, creating unique stories to share. However, challenges like logistics, ethics, and the entire process itself require enormous patience and dedication. Despite these challenges, documentaries offer creators the chance to make something within their power that can change public perception, free from corporate influence. Because of this, many consider documentaries the sweet, innocent darling child of the film industry.