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Writing for documentaries

posted 8 years ago by skyhawk0
9 replies | jump to latest

I'm wondering if anyone has experience writing documentary scripts or the like.

A presentation I worked on was shown at the opening of a museum in Poland, which has led to funding opening up for a larger project. It's a friend's story of growing up in Iron Curtain-era Poland, where his dad was a Solidarity organizer with access to banned books (generally, the classics) and the like, which my friend began reading from an early age. His dad became a political prisoner, they eventually moved to Canada, and my friend's background led to him bringing his literary bent to his life here.

We don't have any interest in fictionalizing it, nor would it make a good dramatic film as many core elements simply aren't visual. I'm not going to go into them here as it's my friend's life and specific enough to identify him.

I'm curious as to any tips or hints anyone might have in approaching a documentary-style film, especially using art or animation for visuals.

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.

[–] Speed_of_Late 8 years ago

I got nothing that would help, but I didn't want you to think we all ignored your question.

Wait, I have one tip: Limit any humor in the voice-over. That almost always makes me cringe.

SPEED
Don't mistake my silence for weakness. Nobody plans murders out loud.

[–] skyhawk0 8 years ago

Appreciate that.

Humour wouldn't suit and isn't part of the original story as written, anyway. But noted.

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.

[–] The_Matrixfan 8 years ago

Vice makes some good documentary shows with serious subjects, I've watched Cyberwar, Gaycation and countless other shorts on both Viceland.com and their youtube channel. They also posted a video of tips for other documentary film makers http://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/watch-vices-tips-for-documenting-risky-situations-56165/

Even though it doesn't sound like you're entering a risky situation, the advice he gives on the general process still sounds grounded. Especially the parts about not going into the process with a rigid script but rather an open mind to learn more about the subject.

Personally, the documentaries that interest me usually have brevity and depth of subject. What attracts me to vice is that they get at the core of their subject and offer various perspectives in the span of 30 mins without hitting a slump. It's done through interview-like settings in informal places, they don't just sit in front of a camera they move, offer on-location transition shots, take walks with their subjects it may seem like a little consideration but it keeps the doc from being static and dull. For a movie-length documentary, I like Michael Moore but I find that some of his earlier work was a bit much in the energy dept. His latest film where to invade next incorporates better pacing and as a result we get multiple perspectives on the issues without getting lost in his personal political energy.

So to sum it up, shorter interview segments, motion and high quality of lighting and post is what makes documentaries visually appealing to me.

A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts.

[–] skyhawk0 8 years ago

Interesting thought. I'll check out some Vice stuff. I've been devouring CBC documentary stuff to date. That said, none of it is akin to what we're looking at.

This would be short and personal, one voice and that covered by the narration. We might shift from that, but as a certain grant deadline is coming up fast, we're not likely to deviate significantly from the existing project before then.

We're most likely going to be relying on animation for the visuals.

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.

[–] ALWrite 8 years ago

This sounds very interesting.
Good luck with this project, Sky.

[–] skyhawk0 8 years ago

Thanks, AL! There's a lot more to it, too. It's a great story.

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.

[–] saul_rothman 8 years ago

Best of luck, Skyhawk, and whatever happens, please share what you learn because I doubt if I'm the only one interested in this area.

I've been binge watching all kinds of documentaries lately.

I usually cringe when the narrator has too much passion (exception: Patricia Clarkson in, I think, Amazing Planet). I like whoever narrates The Universe, Mike Rowe, and pretty much anyone with a British accent, lol.

But the real thing I hate in documentaries is conjecture and manipulation of facts.

Of course, I have absolutely no practical advice to give you, but I look forward to hearing you give some to us!

Sauly

Logic is our best defense against The Experts.

[–] skyhawk0 8 years ago

Thanks, Sauly!

Patricia Clarkson always amazes me. Haven't seen Amazing Planet, but it's now on the list.

Narration, I have history with, so I'm not too worried on that front. As for conjecture and manipulating facts, it's a personal story and all in the past, so neither should even come up. We're in the odd position of having the facts beyond the personal already vetted by the CBC (where the original story aired) and a Polish government museum, where we did the presentation that's expanding into this.

I will report back. We were looking at more of a guerrilla approach, but suddenly have some significant support which means we shouldn't settle. We have a very experienced fundraiser in the group, so this week will be about fine-tuning our options and approach on that front.

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.