How do I make a documentary?

Do you think only professional journalists can make a documentary? Then you're wrong. With the right preparation and a suitable documentary concept, anyone can take up this exciting genre. Capturing reality in a documentary is one of the most exciting ways to show every facet of life on camera.

But how do you actually make a documentary? In fact, there are a number of challenges when you want to shoot a documentary, because it's about more than just pointing the camera at a subject. With Kamera Express you have a partner at your side who explains the individual steps, so you get a convincing result.

Research and concept as the starting point for a documentary

Before you start the actual filming, you should create a documentary concept. You start with thorough research. You need to know about the project and understand the background. Gather information about the location where filming will take place. All the data you collect during your research will help you draw up a plan.

Times, locations and possibly protagonists are determined in advance. Always remember that it's a documentary and things can happen unplanned. It's therefore an advantage to be somewhat flexible.

Planning is also about incorporating different elements. Explanations, footage, interviews, archives and facts are all part of a documentary. If you want to use interviews, think of good questions in advance to spark the viewer's interest. When you plan your documentary, think carefully about which elements might be useful.

If you want to make a documentary, you should definitely keep the goal in mind. In principle, a documentary serves to look at a particular issue objectively. It's therefore important to let everyone involved have their say and not only contrast the different opinions, but also explain and justify all statements. This is where research and the documentary concept come into play again.

Before filming starts, you need to decide what kind of documentary you want to make. There are two different types.

On the one hand, there is direct cinema. Here the camera acts as an observer and must not influence what is happening. The recording should be as natural as possible. On the other hand, there is cinéma vérité. In this type, staging is allowed, because the camera and the director may intervene in what is happening. This means that individual situations can be re-enacted or interrupted. Which type you choose is up to you, but always make sure that the actual message is not changed.

The equipment you need: picture and sound

Once the documentary concept has been decided, the equipment needs to be prepared. Film, microphone, camera and many other things are needed if you want to make a professional documentary. What seems like a lot at first glance is manageable in the end, because with Kamera Express you have a partner at your side who specialises in this field and has the necessary equipment ready for you.

Video cameras and monitors

Although you can record with almost any camera, it's best to choose a professional video camera. It is not only suitable for professional purposes, but can be used for all kinds of documentaries. Professional video cameras are designed to deliver a perfect end result.

They offer MP4 format, image stabilisation, a live option, high resolutions and much more. Sharp images with high precision are guaranteed, so you'll notice the difference compared with a conventional camera. You can expand video cameras with external monitors. These are HDMI monitors that let you view the images while filming, to guarantee better quality.

Tripod, gimbal, lighting

To create quality, you need perfect lighting conditions. There are various factors to consider. Outdoors, for example, sunlight plays an important role, while indoors it depends on how bright or dark the room is and which artificial light sources are present. This means you should use lighting systems if you want a professional end result.

A distinction is made between flash and continuous light. There are systems for the studio as well as on-camera lights that are suitable for use on the go. Using a tripod helps prevent camera shake while allowing you to set the shooting angle. A gimbal is something special: it's a stabilisation system developed specifically for video recording. It lets you create even better, shake-free footage.

Microphones, windshields

Do you know the problem of recording sound outdoors and hearing nothing but the noise of the wind? That shouldn't happen in a documentary, so you should use externally mounted microphones when shooting a film. Even though many cameras have a built-in microphone, external microphones connected to the camera make a big difference.

They let you achieve different effects and filter and isolate voices and sounds. You can block out background noise and ensure a clear soundscape. If you choose the right microphone, nothing stands in the way of perfect sound quality. There are universal microphones and special models with additional features. Whether attached to clothing, as a handheld microphone or mounted on the camera, the options are many.

Useful accessories

But microphone and camera aren't everything, and there are accessories that can be very useful. Making a documentary means getting involved in different situations and planning for flexibility.

Memory cards

Before you edit a film, you need to collect footage. To do this, you record all situations and interviews, even if it isn't clear in advance whether you will actually use the footage in the end. It would be annoying to have to interrupt filming because you've run out of storage space. So be sure to bring extra memory cards with different storage capacities.

Camera bags

Remember: if you want to make a documentary, you may be on the move a lot. Spending a long time outdoors and changing location often are part of a documentary. So prepare accordingly and make sure you can transport your camera safely and conveniently. The necessary accessories also need a place. Various camera bags in different sizes and designs, as well as different carrying systems, can be suitable.

Extra camera batteries

You're in the middle of recording an interview and suddenly the battery is dead? That shouldn't happen, which is why you should always carry a spare battery. Especially when you're out in the cold, think of extra camera batteries, because low temperatures make the electrolytes more viscous and slow down the processes. At Kamera Express you'll find a wide range of batteries. We recommend choosing good quality to guarantee a long runtime.

Different equipment for different scenes in the documentary

Even though you now know the general equipment, there may be situations that call for something special.

Interview situations (lighting)

In an interview, not only the questions are important, but also the lighting. Make sure the speaker is clearly visible and shown in a good light. Choose a location that already offers the best conditions, so that as few accessories as possible are needed. This means sunlight, shadows, light-dark balance and so on must be taken into account.

The right lens is also part of the equipment. The focal length suitable for an interview is 50 mm. This roughly corresponds to the human eye and can therefore depict the person opposite you naturally.

Capturing 'real life': avoiding camera shake

A documentary is about depicting reality. Situations aren't always filmed from one fixed position; in many cases filming on the move may be necessary. Because movement brings the risk of camera shake, you shouldn't do without the right equipment. Tripods and stabilisation systems can help here.

There are different types of tripods. The choice depends on flexibility, the terrain and the type of filming. A monopod, for example, can be set down quickly and repositioned. If you want to film without a tripod, follow the tip of always holding the camera close to your body for more stability.

Weather and ambient noise: always optimal sound quality

Microphones are essential to guarantee optimal sound quality. Choose your microphone based on the ambient noise. This includes weather, such as wind and rain, as well as traffic, birdsong, other voices and much more. Test the settings before filming.

What else should you keep in mind?

Do you have your equipment ready and is your concept in place? Then there are a few final things to keep in mind:

Depending on the location where you want to film, a permit may be required. Always stay spontaneous and flexible with your time, so that a true-to-life documentary is possible.
If you include protagonists, treat them with empathy. They often share personal things in an interview, which should be handled with care. Check all the information you're given against the facts.
Once you've collected your footage, the work isn't over yet, because finally you need to edit all the videos together and edit the picture and sound. Try to keep the goal of your documentary in mind, so the end result serves its purpose.
A film comes alive through music that underlines what's happening. Make sure the music supports and expresses the message of the documentary. If you use songs, remember to obtain permission here too, from the relevant music rights organisation.

How do I make a documentary? A brief summary

The time has finally come: after a lot of theory, you're ready to start shooting your documentary. To make sure you don't forget any important aspects, here's a brief summary of everything you should keep in mind for a documentary.

First you need to create a concept and do your research. Be clear about what you want to achieve with your documentary and gather facts about the subject. Choose the location, protagonists and time carefully, but be aware that your plans can change at any time, so flexibility and spontaneity come first. Think about permits, the weather and the music that rounds off the film during editing. Preparation is the key to a good documentary.

Kamera Express helps you get the perfect equipment. From camera and microphone to accessories and professional equipment, you'll find everything in our range, so you can now prepare for your big day of filming. With the right equipment you can make a documentary that can be a great success and a real highlight!