Resources & Guides

Making a documentary: An expert guide

Documentaries have never been so popular as they are today. With technology making it possible for more people to develop ideas and make documentaries, the genre has been increasing over recent years. With documentary festivals now a regular feature in a growing number of cities worldwide, there’s never been a better time to make a documentary.

While many documentaries appear deceptively simple, creating a film that does justice to your story and will get noticed takes a combination of creativity and technical know-how. The best documentaries have a strong theme, an authentic voice, and the right production platform from which to shine.

At Eight Engines, we’ve worked on a wide variety of documentary projects for our clients. Here we look in more detail at how to make a documentary film, how long they take, and other factors that would-be documentary makers need to consider.

How do you make a documentary?

When we’re approached by people with ideas for a documentary we’re often asked how are documentaries made.

There are several key steps to making a documentary. Each is crucial to the overall success of the project. While every project is different, there are some elements that are common to most if not all documentary projects.

Here’s a brief overview of the documentary filmmaking process:

Research & Planning

You may have a great idea but you need to be confident it contains enough material to produce a complete documentary. Conduct thorough research to gather information, identify key subjects, and then develop a narrative structure. A production plan is then developed that outlines the goals of the project, as well as the timeline and budget.

Pre-Production

During this phase the story is finalised, the crew is assembled, the filming locations identified, interviews are arranged, and permissions are sought. It takes careful work with close attention to detail to get it right. A shooting schedule is drawn up, and all the necessary equipment and expertise is gathered.

Production

Now it’s time to move on to the filming stage where all of the footage that’s needed is captured. Filming will broadly follow the shooting schedule drawn up in the pre-production phase.

Postproduction

After filming, the footage is edited, where it’s assembled, refined and polished to create a coherent and compelling narrative. During this stage, other elements such as music, sound effects, and graphics are added. The footage is fine-tuned and the final cut is delivered.

Distribution

Once the documentary is complete it’s time for it to be distributed. There are a range of distribution options available, from film festivals to streaming services and television networks. Online channels can also provide an accessible way to allow people to discover your documentary.

How are documentaries filmed?

A range of techniques and styles are used to film documentaries. Different approaches can be used for different projects, depending on the filmmaker’s vision and the nature of the subject matter. How to create documentary footage that meets your requirements will need careful consideration and a successful outcome will depend on a range of factors.

Here are some of the most common filming techniques used in documentary production:

Handheld Camera

Handheld, on-the-move footage gives documentaries a raw and intimate feel, capturing candid moments, and allowing the filmmaker to closely follow subjects.

Interviews

Interviews are commonly used in documentary filmmaking, often providing the backbone of some documentaries. Filmed subjects speak directly about events and their own perspective.

Archive Footage

Often, documentaries will incorporate historical and archival footage to create a convincing and compelling narrative, linking together the past and present. Carefully chosen and deployed archive footage can help to strengthen the documentary maker’s arguments and perspective, providing depth and authenticity.

Re-enactments

Sometimes key events in the narrative are not captured on film and may need to be re-enacted. This may involve professional actors and a script to ensure accuracy is maintained. Re-enactments can be a valuable tool in the documentary makers' armoury of storytelling techniques.

Cinematic Techniques

If handheld and candid footage creates a raw, realistic feel, then a range of cinematic techniques can be used to elevate documentaries into works of art. Combining advanced cinematography with handheld and other footage can create a compelling documentary with the potential to reach a wider audience.

How do you write a documentary?

A good documentary will have a compelling narrative that engages audiences and effectively communicates your message.

Here are some of the key stages in documentary writing:

Research

The importance of thorough research cannot be overstated. Take time to research your topic, gathering facts, statistics, and personal stories that will form the basis of your documentary.

Outline

Create a detailed outline that sets out the basic structure of your documentary. This should include the introduction, main segments, and conclusion.

Script

Next up it’s time to write the script. This will outline the narration, interviews, and other footage for each segment of your documentary. Your script should be clear, concise, and engaging.

Voice-over

If your documentary includes narration you will need to write a voice-over script. This should introduce subjects, provide context, and guide viewers through the story.

Editing Notes

Editing notes or a rough-cut script should be prepared to guide the editing process, highlighting key moments, transitions, and visual elements.

Different documentary makers work differently, developing an approach that suits their priorities, footage, and overall objectives. Think about the documentaries you admire and how they were made, what precisely did you like about them, and what you think could be improved. Think creatively, engaging with your subject matter in new and interesting ways.

How do you start a documentary?

Having an idea for a documentary isn’t enough. As well as being compelling, you need to be confident that there is enough subject matter available to make the documentary. Preliminary research should be conducted, with a clear vision for your film developed and set out.

Turning that idea into a workable concept that can be delivered is perhaps the most challenging aspect of documentary filmmaking. Taking a step-by-step approach can make the process simpler.

Here are a few tips to help you get started on your documentary journey:

Identify your topic

Finding the right topic for your documentary will play a large part in determining its success and even the chances of it getting completed. You should opt for a subject that you’re passionate about and which you think will interest other people. It doesn’t matter if your idea isn’t fully formed at this stage, it can develop as you gather more information.

Research your Topic

Once you have identified your topic, thorough research will be necessary to gather information, identify key themes, and begin locating potential subjects and interviewees. By the end of your research you should know if your project is viable and the shape it will take.

Develop a concept

You should then outline your documentary’s concept. This defines the style, tone, and structure of your film, and sets out its purpose, message and target audience.

Create a treatment

Next up, write a treatment or a proposal that outlines the documentary’s storyline, main character, visual style, and production plan. This is useful to share with documentary film companies you may wish to work with, as well as for pitching to potential funders, collaborators, and broadcasters.

Consider funding

You may already have funding options for your documentary in place, but if not you may need to explore other sources of finance. Grants, partnerships, and crowdfunding are all utilised by documentary filmmakers to ensure their projects can be completed.

How long does it take to film a documentary?

The filming stage of the documentary will vary in length depending on the amount of footage required, availability of subjects and locations, travel, and other practical requirements. Even with the best planning, sometimes changes need to be made that can create delays and hold-ups. Interviewees pull out, a location is no longer available, or the weather makes filming difficult.

You might be able to complete most of your filming but still require an extra piece of footage that requires extensive travel or an appointment a few weeks in the future. It’s important to be realistic about the challenges you face as well as potential factors that could cause delays.

At Eight Engines, we’re experienced in overcoming challenges, providing creative solutions, and keeping projects moving forward to completion.

How long does it take to make a documentary?

Documentary films are often labours of love, where people with a passion for a subject take their time to create something important to them. As a result, documentary films can be subject to delays and setbacks, with stories about documentaries getting stuck in development, or taking years to complete. Luckily, this isn’t the case with most documentary films.

In reality, most documentaries with a clear purpose and without huge travel requirements can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 36 weeks from planning to the final edit. Many will take significantly longer. Documentaries taking less than that time may be cutting corners, but in some cases with shorter films with a well-defined scope, it may be possible to complete them quicker.

Some elements of the documentary process are more liable to create delays, such as the need for research. If research isn’t well-defined it’s easy to go off on tangents, adding unnecessary time to the process. At other times, filmmakers may hit a dead end and have to revise their plans.

While delays are not inevitable it’s good to be aware that unforeseen circumstances may create hold-ups. Sometimes these can easily be overcome with creative thinking and a different approach. Working with a professional documentary film production company can make the process easier. They will be experienced in handling projects, helping you to meet your objectives and stay on track with your timelines.

Turn your documentary ideas into reality with Eight Engines

Eight Engines is one of the leading video production companies in the North West. We work with clients in Manchester and beyond to create compelling, professional, and persuasive documentary films that engage and inspire.

If you’ve a great idea for a documentary and would like to learn more about the process and how we can help, then we’d love to hear from you.