Y9 - Documentary Production
Documentary Film Production
Allow about 10 in-school hours for this project.
For this screen production task, you will create a short documentary. You may choose to focus on any issue or topic that you have some expertise on, or you can base your film on a fellow student with an interesting story to tell.
Your teacher will demonstrate the process, and then you will be expected to work independently. The following process will work for a simple short documentary, but you may explore alternative documentary styles further down the page for inspiration and ideas.
Shoot a short interview with a person who has an interesting story tell. Make sure you choose a suitable location, frame up carefully and ensure there's not too much interfering ambient sound.
Do a Radio Edit. A radio edit is where you edit for timing of the spoken interview, remove umms and ahhhs etc.
Add b-roll. B-roll consists of images and video that help tell the story by complementing the interview.
Add music and sound effects to help tell the story.
Add any slow zooms or animated reframes.
Colour correct and grade.
Add titles.
Fine tune and deliver.
Here are some examples of simple but excellent documentaries to get you thinking.
Other Documentary Styles to Consider
Participatory documentaries - These films involve the filmmaker as an active participant in the story they are telling, often using personal experiences to shed light on a broader issue.
Super Detox Me and A Guide to North Korea are both early films from an excellent Perth filmmaker, Josh Lee.
"Super Detox Me" (2006) - filmmaker, Josh Lee, goes full detox with some mates. Hilarious, confronting, sobering. Language warning.
"A Guide to North Korea" (2018) - travel with Josh Lee for a tour of North Korea.
"American Movie" (1999) - a documentary about a filmmaker trying to make a horror movie on a shoestring budget.
"Super Size Me" (2004) - a documentary about a man who eats only McDonald's food for a month and examines the impact on his health.
Expository documentaries - These films are typically narrated by an off-screen voice, and use interviews, archival footage, and other forms of evidence to present a particular point of view or argument.
"Planet Earth" (2006) - a documentary series that explores different ecosystems and the animals that live in them.
"Food, Inc." (2008) - a documentary that examines the food industry and its impact on the environment, health, and society.
Observational documentaries - These films aim to capture reality as it unfolds, often using long takes and minimal editing to give the audience a sense of immersion in the story.
"Grey Gardens" (1975) - a documentary that follows the daily lives of two reclusive women, a mother and daughter, who live in a decaying mansion in the Hamptons.
"Hoop Dreams" (1994) - a documentary that follows two African-American high school students in Chicago as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional basketball players.
Poetic documentaries - These films use visual and auditory elements to create a lyrical, poetic tone, often exploring abstract themes or emotions.
"Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) - a documentary that explores the relationship between humans, nature, and technology through stunning imagery and music.
"Baraka" (1992) - a documentary that uses stunning imagery and music to explore different cultures and the interconnectedness of all things.
Reflexive documentaries - These films acknowledge the documentary process itself, often commenting on the role of the filmmaker, the subject, or the audience in shaping the final product.
"Fahrenheit 9/11" (2004) - a documentary that examines the events surrounding the September 11 attacks and their aftermath, as well as the media's role in shaping public opinion.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" (2010) - a documentary that explores the world of street art and the blurred lines between art and commerce.