Documentaries Writing for Film

Why write a script? »Most underrated aspect of documentary process »Some think documentary -making process should be fluid and organic - the filmmaker should experience the film as he/she makes it. This concept works for rallies, disasters, riots - times when filmmaker has no control. »Most underrated aspect of documentary process »Some think documentary -making process should be fluid and organic - the filmmaker should experience the film as he/she makes it. This concept works for rallies, disasters, riots - times when filmmaker has no control.

Why write a script? »The script answers the question, “What should I shoot?” »Acts as a conceptual map of your shooting journey. »Consolidates research and outlines film’s story »Provides a visual guideline for the shoot. »Is NOT a shot list. »Understand that the script might change during the shooting process. »The script answers the question, “What should I shoot?” »Acts as a conceptual map of your shooting journey. »Consolidates research and outlines film’s story »Provides a visual guideline for the shoot. »Is NOT a shot list. »Understand that the script might change during the shooting process.

Writing for Film »Film is visual. Screenwriters must be able to write visually - make the audience see what is going on. »Film shows motion. Images have action - they are not still photographs. »Film reveals what the eye often can’t see - a tiny cell, details we normally miss, places we’ve never been. »Film is visual. Screenwriters must be able to write visually - make the audience see what is going on. »Film shows motion. Images have action - they are not still photographs. »Film reveals what the eye often can’t see - a tiny cell, details we normally miss, places we’ve never been.

Writing for Film »Film transcends time and space. After it is made, it exists in a bubble of its own. »Film is subjective. Simply by pointing the camera in a specific direction, subjective choice is made. »Film chooses audience. The writer determines audience by how s/he chooses to tell the story. »Film transcends time and space. After it is made, it exists in a bubble of its own. »Film is subjective. Simply by pointing the camera in a specific direction, subjective choice is made. »Film chooses audience. The writer determines audience by how s/he chooses to tell the story.

Writing for Film »Film repeats accurately. Film consistently reproduces what the camera sees in full detail. The filmmaker must shoot in a particular way to include or eliminate details. The camera doesn’t lie. (See subjectivity above.)

Writing for Film »Film may have color and sound. Choice of sound and color can be as important as the moving images. »Film emphasis and emotionalizes. Film evokes reactions in an audience, so it can send powerful messages. »Film may have color and sound. Choice of sound and color can be as important as the moving images. »Film emphasis and emotionalizes. Film evokes reactions in an audience, so it can send powerful messages.

Why Documentaries Are Different »Documentaries deal with fact, not fiction. Everything seen and heard on the screen is grounded in accuracy and is not fiction. »Documentary is flexible. There are no fixed visual and conceptual guidelines; there are fewer rules to follow. »Documentaries deal with fact, not fiction. Everything seen and heard on the screen is grounded in accuracy and is not fiction. »Documentary is flexible. There are no fixed visual and conceptual guidelines; there are fewer rules to follow.

Why Documentaries Are Different »Documentaries inspire movement and action. The heart of a documentary is an issue and a message at hand and is usually the reason the film was made.

Why Documentaries Are Different »Documentary involves less control - they are shot in the real world and show real events. It’s difficult to think about lighting in the middle of a sniper shoot out! »Documentary subject is paramount. It is bound to the subject matter; the subject has precedent over entertainment value. »Documentary involves less control - they are shot in the real world and show real events. It’s difficult to think about lighting in the middle of a sniper shoot out! »Documentary subject is paramount. It is bound to the subject matter; the subject has precedent over entertainment value.

Why Documentaries Are Different »Credibility is key in the documentary. Even today, information and sources must be credible. »Form is more important than formula. Every subject and issue is showcased in its own appropriate manner. »Credibility is key in the documentary. Even today, information and sources must be credible. »Form is more important than formula. Every subject and issue is showcased in its own appropriate manner.

Research, Research, Research! »The amount of research the scriptwriter puts into a documentary is directly related to the “value” of the film.

Research, Research, Research! »Curiosity, in research, does NOT kill the cat! If the writer is not excited and curious about the subject, why would the audience be?

Research, Research, Research! Some questions to ask: »What have I not yet been told about this subject? »Is everything I’ve been told the truth? How much do I need to verify? »What would I personally like to know about the subject? Some questions to ask: »What have I not yet been told about this subject? »Is everything I’ve been told the truth? How much do I need to verify? »What would I personally like to know about the subject?

Research, Research, Research! Some questions to ask: »If I were in the audience, what would I like to learn? »What can I find out that is little known about this subject? »What information can I gather that will help the shooting process? Some questions to ask: »If I were in the audience, what would I like to learn? »What can I find out that is little known about this subject? »What information can I gather that will help the shooting process?

Research, Research, Research! Some questions to ask: »Is the research information I have necessary for the audience to know about this subject? »Will this information add to the overall quality of the film? »Is this information more relevant than all the other information out there about this subject? Some questions to ask: »Is the research information I have necessary for the audience to know about this subject? »Will this information add to the overall quality of the film? »Is this information more relevant than all the other information out there about this subject?

Research, Research, Research! Digging deep: »The Top of the issue: includes all the facts. »The Heart of the issue: includes insightful details. »The Root of the issue: what larger role could this film have regarding the issue? »The Branches of the issue: includes related issues that add value to the film. »Finding Challenges: study the challenges facing the issue. Digging deep: »The Top of the issue: includes all the facts. »The Heart of the issue: includes insightful details. »The Root of the issue: what larger role could this film have regarding the issue? »The Branches of the issue: includes related issues that add value to the film. »Finding Challenges: study the challenges facing the issue.