Documentary Pre Production: Make Your Films 100X BETTER

Summary

In this video, filmmaker Alex Zat shares his foolproof pre-production process for documentary filmmaking. He breaks down key steps, including conducting pre-interviews, writing scripts or outlines, and creating mood boards, storyboards, and shot lists. Zat emphasizes the importance of flexibility in documentary storytelling and the value of tailored interview questions to uncover authentic responses. He also discusses the creative process, from music selection to lighting, and offers insights on efficient scheduling and production planning. This guide provides valuable tips for aspiring filmmakers looking to streamline their pre-production process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pre-production is a critical step in filmmaking, and having a foolproof process can help filmmakers become more efficient and complete their projects.
• 😀 The pre-production process involves several key elements: pre-interviews, creating scripts or outlines, interview questions, mood boards, storyboards, shot lists, and scheduling.
• 😀 Milanote is a highly recommended app for organizing creative aspects of pre-production, such as shot lists, mood boards, and storyboards.
• 😀 Conducting pre-interviews with subjects helps build rapport, gather essential information, and identify key moments or details that might not be easily found online.
• 😀 Recording pre-interviews using tools like Riverside, which allows for transcription and easy reference, ensures that no information is lost during the conversation.
• 😀 A script or outline is necessary to map out the general direction of the documentary, but flexibility is key. Filmmakers should be ready to adapt based on new insights from interviews.
• 😀 The purpose of interview questions is to reverse-engineer the story, asking questions that dig deep into a subject's journey, successes, and failures rather than focusing on surface-level details.
• 😀 Mood boards help set the stylistic direction for the film, covering aspects like music, lighting, angles, and cinematography. This helps communicate the vision to the entire crew.
• 😀 Choosing the right music for a documentary is essential for building the film's atmosphere. Music should support the emotional tone, and consistency in style is crucial.
• 😀 Storyboards and shot lists are essential tools in pre-production, helping filmmakers visualize how one scene transitions to the next and ensuring all required shots are accounted for during filming.
• 😀 A detailed shooting schedule helps filmmakers stay organized and efficient. Scheduling all relevant shots in specific locations in one day maximizes production time and minimizes disruptions.

Q & A

What is the importance of pre-production in filmmaking?

Pre-production is crucial because it lays the foundation for the entire film. It helps filmmakers plan the story, organize resources, schedule shoots, and ensure a smooth production process. It also aids in making creative decisions, such as framing shots and understanding the limitations of the project.

Why does Alex Zat recommend using an app called Milanote for pre-production?

Alex Zat uses Milanote because it is an excellent tool for organizing creative aspects of pre-production, such as shot lists, mood boards, storyboards, and interview questions. It's a flexible platform that allows filmmakers to keep everything in one place and visually map out their ideas.

What is the significance of a pre-interview before the actual filming?

A pre-interview is important to build rapport with the subject and gather crucial information about their story. It allows the filmmaker to get a sense of the subject's personality, ask essential questions, and identify key elements for the documentary. It also helps avoid surprises and ensures a smoother production process.

How does Alex Zat approach writing a script or outline for a documentary?

Alex suggests that the script or outline for a documentary should act as a guide, not a rigid blueprint. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility in documentary filmmaking since the story might evolve based on the subject's responses. The script should direct the narrative but allow room for organic discoveries.

What role do interview questions play in documentary filmmaking?

Interview questions are designed to draw out authentic and impactful responses that advance the documentary’s story. Alex advises asking deeper, more personal questions about the subject's journey, challenges, and motivations. The questions should be tailored to each individual, rather than generic, to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the storyline.

How does a mood board help in pre-production?

A mood board serves as a visual representation of the film's stylistic direction, helping set the tone for aspects like music, lighting, and cinematography. It's essential for communicating the filmmaker's creative vision to the crew and ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the film's atmosphere.

What is the significance of choosing the right music in a documentary?

Music is vital in setting the tone of a film. Alex Zat uses platforms like Musicbed to find diverse tracks that align with the film’s mood. The right music can elevate the story, enhance emotions, and help establish the film’s style. It's important to stick to certain rules about the type of music that fits the project.

How does Alex Zat plan interview angles for a documentary?

Alex plans interview angles to ensure that the cinematography supports the narrative. He typically uses wide shots to establish the space and medium shots to focus on the subject. By using varied angles, he can capture different aspects of the subject's environment and convey the desired mood.

Why does Alex Zat suggest having a storyboard in addition to a mood board?

A storyboard is essential for planning the visual progression of the film. Unlike a mood board, which focuses on aesthetics and atmosphere, a storyboard helps map out how one scene transitions into the next. It helps in visualizing the sequence of shots, which makes the filming and editing processes smoother.

What elements should be included in a shot list for documentary filmmaking?

A shot list should include details about the shots required, focal lengths, and frame rates. Alex Zat emphasizes having reference photos to clarify the visual goals. This ensures that the director, cinematographer, and crew are aligned and know exactly what each shot needs to look like during production.