How to Film a Documentary Part I: Pre-Production

What goes into a professional documentary production? Is a seasoned filmmaker or a certified production company required in order to produce a legitimate documentary? Not necessarily. In this blog we’re going to cover some quick tips on what’s required in pre-production, filming, and post-production in order to turn out a professional quality video that would adequately represent you, your business or your brand.

With the onset and accessibility of modern video technology, something of the old school art of film and photography has been lost. The internet is flooded with random video clips such as in TikTok posts or YouTube shorts while professional quality video advertisements or documentaries are left mostly to the film industry which we know little about.

The Big Screen

Our fascination is less piqued by “The Big Screen” now that the movie theatre experience has been replaced by Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and other popular platforms that can be found right on the big screen TV in our own homes. Much has been gained by the general public with the advancement and accessibility of video technology, but would an uncut Tik-Tok post satisfactorily represent your growing business or your brand?

What actually goes into a professional video production, and why can’t you capture that same quality of video with a quick recording on your cell phone? Why doesn’t it quite look or even feel the same as a movie quality production when playing it back? Well, the good news is that with a few simple tricks, you can produce a professional quality video that would properly represent your brand, convey your message to the world and inspire your audience. Let’s dive right in and get your production underway!

Pre-Production

This is the foundational stage where all the planning and preparation for the video are done. It’s critical to set a clear vision and organize the logistics before the actual filming begins. In this article we’ll discuss only the steps pertaining to a low budget production, since that is what we’re aiming for. A fully funded and staffed production would include steps such as casting, costumes, scheduling, permits and production design, which we’re not going to cover in this article. So let’s get down to the basics:

Concept Development: The first step is to define the overall concept or goal of the production. What is the purpose of the video? Who is the target audience? What message or story do you want to convey? How long will the finished product be?

3 to 5 minutes: In some cases, mini-documentaries can be as short as 3 to 5 minutes. These are often created for online platforms, social media, or as promotional content for brands or events. The goal is typically to provide an impactful, bite-sized story that is quick to consume, while still maintaining production values and storytelling quality.

5 to 10 minutes: This is a very common length for professional mini-documentaries. At this length, filmmakers have enough time to introduce a subject, provide context, offer insights, and tell a focused story without losing the viewer’s attention. This is a popular length for platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or for branded content, corporate videos, or short film festivals.

10 to 20 minutes: Some mini-docs might extend to 10-20 minutes, especially when they delve into a slightly more complex subject or provide more narrative depth. This is often the ideal length for streaming platforms, educational content, or public service campaigns.

Scripting/Storyboarding: Once the concept is defined, a script is written to outline the narrative, dialogue, and other elements of the video. Storyboards or shot lists are often created to visually plan how each scene or shot will be framed, how the video will unfold, and what visual elements are needed.

In some cases it can be practical to script out a narrative even if you yourself are the only one delivering this narrative in front of the camera. If you’re going to be conducting an interview such as in a two-person set, it can be helpful to write out the interview questions and give the interviewee an opportunity to consider these questions prior to filming.

If this is an on-the-job style of documentary such as on a construction jobsite, you may consider capturing some shots before, during and after construction. Think of all the creative and interesting ways you can showcase a product or a service. Design a compelling story both in words (narrative) and in picture (video).

Location Scouting: Identify and secure the locations where the video will be filmed. Locations could be studios, offices, conference rooms, outdoor settings or indoor venues. This process involves ensuring that each location aligns with the creative vision and desired concept.

An example of a good film location may be in nature in front of a beautiful landscape such as in a garden, at a park, a river or a lake. It could also be someplace in the city with lofty architecture or the city skyline in the background.

Another example of a good location may be in a nice office building with high ceilings, beautiful design or other or aesthetic appeal. It may be you sitting at a desk as if working and coincidentally delivering your narrative from this exact spot.

Plan on putting yourself in character with the scene as well. For example, a business suit or a white collar shirt goes nicely in a business environment. A hard hat or a reflective construction vest looks appropriate on a construction site. A friendly smile looks good in just about any occasion.

Notice that every small detail in filming is tailored to the scene, the vision and the overall message or ambience that is being conveyed. This is known as cinematography, and we will cover that in our next blog.

Continue reading with How to Film a Documentary Part II: Production here.

See our most recent documentary in the video below.