How to create a mini documentary

Last Updated: May 7, 2021 | Author: Dana-Henry

What is a mini documentary?

A mini documentary or “mini–doc” is a 10 to 30-minute nonfiction video that aims to document reality for the purpose of education. It’s shorter than feature-length, but also a lot longer than the typical two-minute marketing video which the world seems to run on.

What are the 5 elements of a documentary?

Contents
  • Actuality in relation to documentary films.
  • Voice-over.
  • Direct and indirect interviews.
  • Archival footage.
  • Re-enactment.
  • Montage.
  • Exposition.

How much does it cost to make a short documentary?

For documentary film–making at the lowest-budget level, ‘$1000 per finished minute’ is the cheapest starting point for costing. We recommend using $2000 – $4000 per finished minute as a beginning point or ball park. And you should expect that even a ‘simple film‘ may cost more.

How do you shoot a documentary by yourself?

How do you shoot a movie without a budget?

Click to view the storyboard
  1. Choose One Location. If you barely have a budget, don’t try to shoot in a million places, especially if you’re working with multiple actors.
  2. Schedule by Location or Actors.
  3. Thrift Shops or Actors’ Closets.
  4. Take Care of Cast & Crew.

What makes a good documentary film?

Great documentaries go deep. They take time. They help the subjects, the makers, the users, the audiences to think, feel, do, listen, speak, shake, cry and sing.

What makes a good short documentary?

So here are five tips to help you rise above.
  • Research. Image via Rawpixel.com.
  • Outline. While narrative films have a script, documentaries live and die by an outline.
  • Find the Deeper Story. Image via Andrzej Sowa.
  • Invest in Sound. Sound is important in any film.
  • Less is More.

What are the key features of a documentary?

Characteristics documentaries have in common that are distinct from other film types (especially from the fiction film) can be thought of in terms of: 1)subjects; 2) purposes, points of view, or approaches; 3) forms; 4) production methods and techniques: and 5) the sorts of’ experiences they offer audiences.

How do I find documentary ideas?

Another way to find great documentary ideas is to pay attention to the news. Read your local newspaper, follow blogs in your areas of interest, follow thought leaders on Twitter. Keep an eye out for odd bits of information or a nuggets of a story that could lead to something bigger.

How do I find someone to make a documentary?

Attend a local film festival and/or find the organization who organizes the festival and ask them to make recommendations on filmmakers who may be interested in your project. Contact documentary filmmaking organizations such as the International Documentary Association or Center for Independent Documentary.

How do you ask someone to be in your documentary?

How do you film a documentary interview?

5 Tips For Conducting a Successful Documentary Interview
  1. Make your subject feel comfortable. Many subjects go into their interview nervous, especially when in front of a camera crew.
  2. Establish clear expectations.
  3. Don’t interrupt.
  4. Have the subject repeat your question.
  5. Take breaks.

What is a documentary definition?

A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to “document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record”. Early documentary films, originally called “actuality films”, lasted one minute or less.

What are the 6 types of documentaries?

In 1991, American film critic and theoretician Bill Nichols proposed that there were six different modes of documentary—poetic, expository, reflexive, observational, performative, and participatory—each containing its own specific characteristics.

What is documentary example?

The Wikipedia definition of a documentary film is this: a non-fiction motion picture intended to document reality primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. American film critic and filmmaker, Pare Lorentz, defines a documentary film as a factual film which is dramatic.

Can a documentary be written?

Writing the Script

You must work backwards. It is the only way to write a documentary script. Once you have collected your research, data, and interviews, only then can you write the script.

How do you make a documentary on Netflix?

How does an independent filmmaker get their movie on Netflix?
  1. Answer from Peter Hamilton / Documentary & TV Business Consultant.
  2. Option 1: Pitch to Netflix directly.
  3. Option 2: Find an agent.
  4. Option 3: Work with a distributor.
  5. Option 4: Marry up with an A-list producer.
  6. Option 5: Hire a top attorney.
  7. Option 6: Go Global!

Is there money in making documentaries?

As a general rule, documentaries are not big money makers unless you’re Michael Moore. Yes, you can post your documentary on YouTube, but you can now upload your documentary to sites like Amazon and Vimeo Pro where people can pay a fee to watch your documentary. The key here is leading people to your film.

How much do documentaries sell for?

First off, that’s not a tiny budget for documentaries, most are around the $200-$300k mark. Some obviously can be much higher, but those are more unusual. Second, there are many ways to sell a film, The big SVOD platforms are just one part of a distribution plan.

Related Articles