6 pro-tips for filmmakers from Doc-in-a-Day
This week I had the pleasure of attending the competition screening for Doc-in-a-Day, the 36-hour documentary filmmaking competition organized by the London Documentary Network. In the competition, filmmakers of all backgrounds and levels of experience come together to create a short documentary, from concept to final cut, in a single weekend. At the end of the competition, a panel of judges reviews the films and awards prizes to the best entries. As part of the competition, the judges provide feedback to the filmmakers on how they can improve their craft. Here are six tips that the Doc-in-a-Day judges have shared to help filmmakers create compelling documentaries.
Show don't tell. One of the keys to creating a compelling documentary is to show, not tell, your story. Look for opportunities to create visuals that help set the larger scene. Cutaways are a great way to do this. Cutaways are shots that help establish the context of a scene, without necessarily showing the subject directly. For example, if you are interviewing someone about a factory, you might include shots of the factory floor or machinery as cutaways.
There is power in numbers. Numbers can be powerful tools in a documentary. Use statistics to demonstrate the stakes of your subject matter and educate your audience. Additionally, featuring multiple people talking about a shared experience can help to give your story more weight. Hearing multiple perspectives on a topic can help to create a fuller picture of the issue at hand.
Allow your story to breathe. Sometimes the most powerful moments in a documentary are those where nothing is said at all. Visual emotion can be incredibly effective at communicating the feelings of your subjects. Allow your story to breathe by giving your audience time to process what they have seen. Don't be afraid to let your characters be quiet for a minute.
Look for opportunities for a reveal. A reveal can be a powerful tool in a documentary. Holding something back until your audience is invested in the story or characters can create a moment of tension or surprise that can help to keep your viewers engaged. Consider how you might structure your film to create a moment of reveal.
Duty of care is critical. Filmmakers have a responsibility to treat our subjects with care and respect. Upholding the dignity of our characters and resisting sensationalism is critical to creating ethical and responsible documentaries. If you are trying to create a humorous moment, make sure that it is with your subject, not at their expense.
Challenge stereotypes. Documentary filmmaking is a unique opportunity to challenge stereotypes and biases. By presenting your subjects in a different light than what your audience may expect, you can help to educate and challenge their assumptions. Consider how you might be able to present your subject matter in a new and different way to create a more nuanced and complex picture of the issue at hand.
Creating a compelling documentary takes skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of your subject matter. By following these six tips from the Doc-in-a-Day judges, we can create a documentary that engages our audiences, challenges their assumptions, and tells a powerful story.