Anybody into documentary film making?

[The Cockney Rebel]

I’m starting a documentary film making course in December, and I’m really looking forward to it.

I aim to use everything Apple, for this course, and beyond. iPhone for recording, iPad with Apple Pencil for notes, Mac for editing and production.

I have a couple of ideas, re subjects to create for, including my own mental health journey.

Would love to hear from anyone in this field, with tips and ideas?

I welcome all feedback.

Thanks in advance 👍🏼.

 

[Sammael]

I dabble a little in filmish production. Still getting my feet wet. A mockumentary is more my cup of tea, I just haven’t found a target yet. I have no formal training, just YouTube tips, and a few on-line overall film tip type sites. (Lighting, camera settings, and such)


Do you have yourself a stabilizer, an Osmo from DJi, or something similar? I do everything myself, it comes in handy.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I dabble a little in filmish production. Still getting my feet wet. A mockumentary is more my cup of tea, I just haven’t found a target yet. I have no formal training, just YouTube tips, and a few on-line overall film tip type sites. (Lighting, camera settings, and such)


Do you have yourself a stabilizer, an Osmo from DJi, or something similar? I do everything myself, it comes in handy.

Hello bud.

Thanks for the reply.

No, I don’t have any stabilisers, so that’s something for me to look into.

I’ll be sure to share what I learn, on my course.

Thanks again 👍🏼.

 

[Sammael]

Hey rebels have to stick together, even without cause.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Hey rebels have to stick together, even without cause.

👍🏼😀

 

[Sammael]

I have the DJI Osmo 6, the newest version is the 7. It’s about 150 U.S. smackaroonies.

The 6 works with most smartphone (16 ProMax included) It has its own 3 foot build in extension rod, and can be attached to most standard tripods, although it can make some, a little top heavy. I think it is a worthwhile investment. DJI also makes stabilizers for professional video cameras, but they run a few hundred bucks.

DJI, as a company has, from what I experienced, rather top quality customer service. They offer in house insurance and service on their devices, which come in handy, when Sgt Butterfingers or Major Catastrophe shows up on set.

Good luck in your endeavors.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I have the DJI Osmo 6, the newest version is the 7. It’s about 150 U.S. smackaroonies.

The 6 works with most smartphone (16 ProMax included) It has its own 3 foot build in extension rod, and can be attached to most standard tripods, although it can make some, a little top heavy. I think it is a worthwhile investment. DJI also makes stabilizers for professional video cameras, but they run a few hundred bucks.

DJI, as a company has, from what I experienced, rather top quality customer service. They offer in house insurance and service on their devices, which come in handy, when Sgt Butterfingers or Major Catastrophe shows up on set.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Thanks, mate.

I’ll look into it.

I also like Gorillapods, which I’ve had in the past.

Wishing you well on your own journey, also 👍🏼.

 

[Sammael]

Think nothing of it. Just make sure when you sweep the film awards, you give a little shout out.

 

[PaulD-UK]

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE KIT!
It’s about the ideas, having a ‘story’ that people in front of the camera are more interested in than they are in you, and being in the right place to tell that story.

Then there’s the shooting ratio - having enough footage, of ALL the right things, but not too much….

Then you have to forget ALL that, and concentrate only on the EDITING, throwing all the ‘ good’ stuff away if it holds up the‘story’…
But if it really IS good stuff, then rework the story to make it fit haha.

Then the re-editing, to make it a masterpiece haha. 😛

Good luck.
Of course if you haven’t got the right kit then you can’t make a movie…

(I had over thirty years doing this for BBC, ITV, C4 and PBS…)

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Think nothing of it. Just make sure when you sweep the film awards, you give a little shout out.

You make me 😀.

I think I need to make a documentary on you!

 

[Sammael]

That would be more of a horror flick.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

That would be more of a horror flick.

You did it again 😀.

 

[Sammael]

Thank you, thank you.

I’ll be here all week.

Try the salmon.

 

[Sammael]

Some gimbal stuff

 

[richardallan]

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE KIT!
It’s about the ideas, having a ‘story’ that people in front of the camera are more interested in than they are in you, and being in the right place to tell that story.

I'm certainly no expert on video but this is good advice. However, when it comes to your KIT, you need to know it inside out. Get plenty of practice before hand. I would suggest trying the free Blackmagic iPhone app.

 

[e1me5]

Spend a lot of time investigating and writing down your story. Identify why is important to be told. Find a creative way to tell it. Remember, documentaries are cinema storytelling, they share the same elements with films, but they are set in the real world. You must have interesting characters, a beginning and a journey to the end. You have to be prepared asnew information might suddenly appear and you must be ready to take a new turn in the story.
When shooting, don't rush. Let the shot breathe in duration. You will thank yourself afterwards during editing.
Be organised, set your camera to name the files with a unique filenames so things are not messed up afterwards.
Be mindful about sound, always capture the cleanest audio, dialogue the most important, then is video. Lav mics are a must for interviews and try to record to an external mic as well for safety and ambience.
Invest in storage. Fast drives for editing, make 2 or more backups for safety.
Ask for help for anything you need. Don't be afraid to take advices.
Last but not least and very important: Ask for anyone appearing in the film to sign a release form.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE KIT!
It’s about the ideas, having a ‘story’ that people in front of the camera are more interested in than they are in you, and being in the right place to tell that story.

Then there’s the shooting ratio - having enough footage, of ALL the right things, but not too much….

Then you have to forget ALL that, and concentrate only on the EDITING, throwing all the ‘ good’ stuff away if it holds up the‘story’…
But if it really IS good stuff, then rework the story to make it fit haha.

Then the re-editing, to make it a masterpiece haha. 😛

Good luck.
Of course if you haven’t got the right kit then you can’t make a movie…

(I had over thirty years doing this for BBC, ITV, C4 and PBS…)

Also this part.