Login
No account yet? Register
Creating A Documentary PDF Print E-mail

Story Structure
Structure is very important to the art of storytelling and to creating an effective documentary. Every story has a beginning, middle and end. We can help you define where these points exist in your story and shape it accordingly. For example, does your story have a great hook that will involve the audience from the beginning and hold them? Is it more effective to tell your story chronologically or should it jump around in time? Should your story be narrated or will the subjects you interview tell the story in their own words? Will it be a combination of both? We will help you discover what is the most dramatic and engaging aspects about your story and tell it in a way that highlights these points.

Emotional Center
Few other communication forms have the power to reveal a unique perspective, capture imagination, and even motivate change. We will help you identify the emotional center; the heart of your story. The heart of a good story will be universally applicable. If you can turn your experience into a universally shared or recognized experience, you have a solid foundation for building a documentary in which people will care and even benefit.

Tone and Treatment
How do you want to tell your story? You can create a formal documentary with voice over narration and interviews, or a piece where the camera seems to exist as it captures everything around it. Many documentaries have the raw reality look of “Cops” with hand-held cameras carried loosely on shoulders. Others use guerilla style, surprising people by shoving a microphone in their face. Michael Moore is famous for this.
 
[ Back ]

Production

Video Production

ColorsTo produce a video you will have to establish and set expectations according to your vision and budget. A video's complexity can be managed by doing some pre-production planning.  As a producer you must establish a goal and define the audience that will be watching your video. Once you have these two items written out you can begin to work on a script to help guide your director and producer for your video. 

Learn more...

Cinematography

35mm Film Look

ColorsWhen selecting your production team and director it is important to define your cinematography style. Are you looking for that film look that has Depth of Field where your subject is in clear view and the background is blurred. A 35 mm camera system with interchangeable lens will accomplish this feel.

Learn more...

Crisp High-Definition (HD)

ColorsHigh Definition video allows your images to achieve the next level of visual fidelity. If you seek crisp clean images we can achieve this look with our HD Camera systems. Our experienced crew can both light and set design your next project in HD. If you seek high quality video detail we have solutions for your project.

Learn more...

DVD Authoring

SD & HD DVD Authoring

BackgroundsAre you creating your next DVD film or educational video? We are a professional authoring house that can properly produce a complete DVD package. We work in both SD and HD video aspect ratios and can custom design menus and DVD elements. If your seeking motion menus and animation to accompany your project look no further. 

 Learn more...

HD Content

720p or 1080i Content

720p:  The 720p aspect ratio for video is 1280 x 720 pixels.  This is the standard format for high definition TV that you see through your cable.  Sports in particular can send a 60 fps signal at 720p as well as a 30fps signal. The 1080i can only show 30fps not 60fps.

1080i: The 1080i aspect ration for video is  1920 x1080 pixels. A 1080p signal is used in Blue Ray and HD DVD final output. Your television will have to be 1080i compatible to show this is true resolution with out a modification or a scale down to fit screen. 

Documentaries

Story Structure


 

Emotional Center


 

Tone And Treatment