Making TV

Documentaries

EdukCircle 2018
What are
documentaries?
A documentary is a broad term to describe a non-
fiction movie that in some way "documents" or
captures reality.
“Factual film which is dramatic” - American film
critic Pare Lorentz
What is the purpose of
documentaries?
Intended to document some aspect of reality,
primarily for the purposes of instruction, education,
or maintaining a historical record.
Documentary filmmaking can be used as a form of
journalism, advocacy, or personal expression.
What are the types of
documentaries?
EXPOSITORY

Aim to inform and/or persuade — often through

omnipresent “Voice of God” narration over footage
devoid of ambiguous or poetic rhetoric.
OBSERVATIONAL

Aim to simply observe the world around them

PARTICIPATORY

While having elements of Observational and

Expository, include the filmmaker within the
narrative.
What are TV
Documentaries?
● Usually of a journalistic nature
● Broadcast medium
● In the Philippines, usually host driven
● Time limitations
● Segmentized
Let’s make a
documentary!
CHOOSE A STORY

● Unusual or unknown
● Close to your heart
MAKE A PLAN
● Research
● The narrative: beginning, middle, and end
● Basic story arc: exposition, inciting incident, crisis and rising
action, climax, falling action, resolution
● Audiovisual storytelling: how can I tell this story using images
and sound
SHOOT
● Make a calendar, mark important events, set deadlines
● Equipment is not important
● Get the right people for the job
● Collaborate: you can’t do everything alone
● Don’t be afraid to experiment
● Be dynamic and flexible
● Don’t lose sight of the narrative
WRITE AND EDIT
● Review all your material, video and interviews
● Make an outline
● Write the script: find your own voice and style
● Edit, edit, edit
RELEASE YOUR DOCUMENTARY

(the fun part)

… THEN DO A POST-MORTEM

(the not-so fun part)

Truth, Empathy, Story, Purpose