How to Write a Documentary Script in 3 Steps

Summary

This video script offers a structured approach to scripting a documentary, emphasizing the importance of narrative despite the unpredictable nature of real-life stories. The host, Luke Forsythe, outlines three key steps: defining the story in a few sentences, plotting potential scenes along the hero's journey, and adapting the script as new developments arise during filming. The guide aims to help filmmakers maintain focus and create compelling stories, rather than disjointed collections of footage.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Starting a documentary can be daunting, especially for inexperienced filmmakers, but using scripts can provide structure and guidance.
• 📝 The idea of scripting a documentary might seem odd due to the unpredictable nature of real-life events, but it's a valuable tool for post-production.
• 🔑 A documentary script is not a rigid, word-for-word guide but a flexible outline that helps keep the storytelling on track.
• 📚 The speaker suggests breaking down a documentary into a simple story structure: 'X wants Y and has to do Z to get it'.
• 🌟 Defining the story in one or two sentences is crucial for clarity and for pitching the idea to others effectively.
• 🤔 The ability to distill an idea into its most basic form is a test to see if you actually have a story rather than just a topic.
• 🎯 The 'hero's journey' is a common narrative structure that can be adapted to plot out the key moments of a documentary.
• 🏆 Imagining potential scenes and plot points ahead of time provides a roadmap for shooting, even if the actual story diverges.
• 🔄 Flexibility is key in documentary filmmaking; being able to adapt the script to new developments as they occur is essential.
• 🗑️ Be prepared to discard and rewrite parts of the script as the documentary unfolds and new information comes to light.
• 📈 The process of scripting, reworking, and adapting continues throughout the entire shooting process, shaping the final narrative.

Q & A

Why is scripting important for a documentary filmmaker?

Scripting is important because it provides a guide and structure to the storytelling process, helping to avoid the pitfalls of aimless filming and underwhelming final results.

What is the main challenge of scripting a documentary?

The main challenge is that unlike scripted films, documentaries deal with real-world events that can be unpredictable, requiring flexibility and adaptability in the script as the story unfolds.

What is the first step in creating a documentary script according to the video?

The first step is to define the story in one or two sentences, which helps to establish the core idea and serves as a guiding principle throughout the project.

How does the video suggest approaching the narrative arc of a documentary?

The video suggests using the hero's journey as a foundation, plotting out key beats and scenes that fit within this traditional story structure, while remaining open to changes as real-life events unfold.

What is the 'hero's journey' and how does it apply to documentary scripting?

The 'hero's journey' is a narrative framework that outlines the stages a character goes through in their quest. It applies to documentary scripting by providing a structure for the character's development and the story's progression, even though the events are real and not scripted.

Why is it necessary to be able to summarize the documentary's story in a few sentences?

Summarizing the story in a few sentences is necessary to ensure that there is a clear narrative and to effectively communicate the idea to others, such as collaborators, funders, or film festival organizers.

What should a documentary filmmaker do if the story takes an unexpected turn during filming?

If the story takes an unexpected turn, the filmmaker should adapt the script by reworking the planned scenes and plot points based on the new information or direction of the story.

How does the video suggest dealing with the unpredictability of real-life events in a documentary?

The video suggests being flexible and prepared to constantly update and revise the script to accommodate changes in the story as they occur during filming.

What is the role of the script in the post-production phase of a documentary?

In the post-production phase, the script serves as a guide for the editors, helping them to organize and structure the footage into a coherent narrative with a clear beginning, middle, conflict, and resolution.

How can the advice in the video help aspiring documentary filmmakers avoid common mistakes?

The advice helps filmmakers avoid common mistakes by emphasizing the importance of a structured approach to storytelling, the need for flexibility in the face of the unpredictable, and the value of clear communication of the story's core idea.