Where do documentaries get footage?

Documentaries rely on engaging visual material to tell their stories. Obtaining this footage can be a complex and challenging task, requiring a range of different skills and approaches.

The methods used to gather documentary footage will depend on the subject being investigated, the budget, and the goals of the film. Some documentaries may have a budget for extensive travel to remote locations, while others will focus more on material currently in archives or interviews with key figures.

In every case, securing the footage you need is an essential part of the documentary-making process. The right footage shapes the documentary being made and provides authenticity and context, as well as the impact the finished film has on the viewer.

Many rookie documentary filmmakers wonder how they will secure interviewers, gain access to particular information, and how to get archival footage for documentaries. In most cases, a systematic approach is what’s required, allied with the flexibility to adapt and change course if necessary.

Here are some of the primary ways documentary makers obtain their footage:

Primary footage

Most documentaries will include some original footage that has been specifically filmed for the project. Typically, this will include real-time footage of events, interviews with key people, and live action that relates directly to the topic of the documentary.

For instance, wildlife documentaries involve complex filming techniques and situations often in some of the wildest and least hospitable places on earth. Capturing the unique footage viewers expect is a highly skilled and time-consuming task.

Other footage may be live action at an event, such as a political rally, backstage at a concert, or following an individual in their professional or personal lives.

It’s essential to give some thought to the kind of footage you want to include in your documentary and the role it will play in shaping the narrative. Once you have a firm understanding of what’s required this can guide your planning.

Archival footage

Archives of all kinds provide a rich array of audio-visual sources that can be incorporated into documentary films. Archives have been set up to store footage for geographical regions, industries, sports, organisations, and many others. Knowing how to get archival footage for documentaries is critical if your documentary is going to incorporate historical clips. These might be old news clips, home videos, government footage, or excerpts from other films or TV productions, such as historical interviews.

Knowing where footage is stored and how to access it is essential and requires thorough research and planning. Permissions should be sought well in advance, licence fees negotiated, and any work to digitise or reformat the footage undertaken.

User-generated content

In the age of smartphones, most of us carry around basic video recording equipment. This has led to an upsurge in user-generated content and citizen journalism, where ordinary people are often first to capture breaking news and events.

Documentaries increasingly feature footage that was captured by ordinary people at the scene. When used intelligently, it can give a documentary a sense of urgency and immediacy. Documentaries about the Arab Spring uprisings and the Maidan Protests in Ukraine relied heavily on user-generated footage to tell the story of the events.

Much of this content is shared on social media so can often be accessed by contacting the person who captured it and asking for permission. People involved in campaigns and protests are often more than willing to share their footage as a means to get their message across.

Public domain and stock footage

Public domain footage is media that is no longer under copyright protection so is freely available for anyone to use. Stock footage might be used to fill gaps or add visual context without the need to shoot new material. It could, for instance, include drone footage of a city or historical site, that provides geographical context for your film.

Stock footage libraries such as Getty Images have a vast collection of clips covering thousands of different subjects. This makes it easier for filmmakers to access the footage they need at a reasonable price.

Creating engaging documentaries with Eight Engines

If you’re developing an idea for a documentary, then the team at Eight Engines wants to hear about it.

As one of the leading documentary film production companies in the UK we produce industry-quality documentaries for a wide range of clients. Unlike other production companies, our clients retain all the rights to the material we produce for them, meaning that your completed documentary is yours and yours alone.

Do you have a great story to tell, an idea for a documentary, or a burning passion to explore a subject? Then we’d like to hear from you.

Contact us to learn how we can help you find your audience.

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