A short documentary is a lens on a self-contained world. Whether your subject is the Arab Spring, human happiness, or pet cemeteries, it has to be engaging and say something about the world. Contrary to what you might think, a short doc takes just as much time as a feature-length doc — but it's also just as much fun to make. If you want to start making your vision a reality, there's no better time than now to make a short documentary.
STEPS
1. Script your story idea. You will need to have a script, or you can't have a film. While thinking of an idea, make sure you write something attractive to your viewers. For example, If you're giving the script to someone who likes drama, add lots of drama. Comedy, add comedy, etc.
2. Watch documentaries. Once you have worked out what style of documentary you are going to make, analyze similar documentaries to identify conventions. Make sure you pay attention to the documentaries narrative structure, as this is where most amateur documentary filmmakers go wrong.
3. Write a treatment.
- Summary of documentary.
- Goal/purpose of film
- Outline your script so that you can make sure that it has all of the good short story components. In your outline describe each section of your film, for a short film the outline does not need to be longer than 300 words.
5. Develop character motivations. Characters without motivation or a personality aren't really characters.
6. Include a dramatic event in the narrative. One that involves all of the characters.
7. Create a shot list.
8. Storyboard individual scenes.
9. Show the finished product to friends, family, teachers, etc.
10. Be prepared. Brainstorm the worst things that could happen during making your documentary and how will you deal with these. Remember to look at both technical problems and story problems.
11. Get ready to shoot it. Choose the equipment, something that can record video. There are many choices. This process might take months or even years, but you have to keep looking. Make sure your video recorder works with your VCR or editing equipment.
12. Learn a few features, and review how your recording device works. Learn how to start and stop recording, fast forward, rewind, playback, and anything else you might need. Save the special effects for your second or third project.
13. Choose a subject -- what you want to make a film about. Remember, you'll need to complete the project. Think about who, what, and where you'll shoot. Form a basic idea for a story and if you're having trouble, read short stories for inspiration.
14. Type out a script. Make sure to develop your characters with different personalities; your movie won't be interesting if everyone acts and talks the same.
15. Draw out a storyboard, illustrating the shots you plan to use. Don't worry about following the storyboard perfectly. It's just a good idea to get your thoughts on paper and a great way to see if you can communicate an idea "visually" rather than needing the actors to verbally communicate the concept. The viewer is watching first and listening second.
16. Find people who aren't busy and are willing to work hard on your film. Provide food for your crew. They'll appreciate it and be able to hang around longer.
17. Create a schedule. This will keep you focused on your project.
- Get a diary.
- Identify what days you and your crew is available.
- Jot down priority scenes.
- Film interviews early on.
19. Interviewing.
- Plan questions. The easiest way of doing this and keeping focus is to write who, what, why, when, where, how, and when and brainstorm questions around these.
- Subject must be comfortable around the camera and open and honest.
- Talk to them before filming, you could talk for half an hour or more to make the subject comfortable around you.
21. Log footage. Before you proceed to editing your film watch all your footage through, writing notes on every shots stating if it works, are there technical problems. This will save you a lot of time when editing.
22. Edit your film. Many cameras edit in limited ways and some have special effects. Learn how to "cut" pieces of your footage together and put music or speech over your video. Check your camera's manual or use a software package like iMovie to make your final cuts. One way is to use your VCR or DVD burner to make copies for friends and auditions. If your film is digital, you can also output your final edit to a readable format to send via email. Also if your film is in digital format you can upload to YouTube or another video sharing site. Check up with the website's video formats to see if you can upload your movie.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Short-Documentary-Film-%28Best-Techniques%29
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