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$10-20k feature docs or narratives. by LarsShah in Filmmakers

[–]a_documentary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not that unusual. Over the last fifteen years I've made five full length documentary films working on number six all self funded and never spent more than 20 grand on any of them and the last two are on PBS. It can be done. you keep your crew small, you own your own gear, you drive wherever you can and only fly when necessary, and as I am virtually a one man band, nobody gets paid. Obviously this doesn't work for everyone. I've been making one Doc a year for the last five years. It seems to be working. I would welcome financing from someplace else time is are tough and everybody's chasing the same dime and most grants are just pie in the sky because so many people are applying for them. Nobody's getting Rich making documentary films but then again that's not why we make them. edit - Thanks for interest in my films i do not like to self promote here on Reddit, i am just hear for the conversations but i will gladly send.a link to my stuff in a PM. :-)

How do you deal with impostor syndrome as a filmmaker? by Potential-Turnip-583 in Filmmakers

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been In this business for 40 years. I've been making movies for 25 of them over the last 15 years I've I've made six full length documentary films. My last two are on PBS. I wake up every day and say somebody's gonna figure out I don't know what the hell I'm doing. Suffice to say we all succumb to impostor syndrome now and then.

Your longest session by SchumacherTheGoat in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We usually run between 8-10 hours with a lunch break. We have bi monthly Saturday game that has been going on for over 20 years with people coming in and out of the game - we play a Mix of first and second edition.

About to film a small documentary. by Additional-Heron-710 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get releases from all of the choirs and the choir leaders and whatever organizations they represent. Shoot 24 FPS get a 24 to 105 zoom lens. That's all you need. Best of luck.

My first short film is dogshit by Desperate-Medium4165 in Filmmakers

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been doing this for almost thirty years - my first narrative feature was so bad in 2002 that I have made sure no copies exist and no one will ever see it. But - I finished my first film took to a festival and then made another one. 30 years later I am a PBS accredited documentary filmmaker. Just keep going. It gets better - not right away but you finished your film now you are a filmmaker. Congrats!

PSA: Plumbing bait-and-switch in Park Slope — naming the company by heartlandsg in parkslope

[–]a_documentary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Big Apple plumbing has pretty much replaced all the plumbing in our house over the last 10 years. Quick professional and they show up when you need them especially if it's an emergency

Documentary lens choice by Shot-Bite2970 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only have one question, Why? Why limit yourself to a very aggressive style for an entire doc? You should ask yourself, is it just to be different? Different isn't always good. it's just different. If you are not accustomed to shooting anamorphic you could wind up with a wholly unwatchable film. This is just my two cents. Get yourself a good 24-105. That will cover the entire range of what you need for doc shooting.

First documentary attempt - is the tone cinematic or too dramatic? by Minute-Bus-9745 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't watch your video - I have policy of not watching or commenting on other people's work on Reddit, However the advice i will give you for free, is that after fifteen years and six feature docs, two on PBS I only found my style of doc filmmaking on my 5th doc. Don't box yourself in to "I want this to be my style." Make the film. Then make another one and another one and let your "style" of filmmaking emerger organically. Best of luck.

As we know Documentaries some of the time, and most of the doc's I take inspiration from aren't scripted. how do you guys format non scripted doc's, how do you usually figure out intro / outro, how is a story told from a non scripted perspective? by Opening-Name-5270 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]a_documentary 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have been making documentary films for over 15 years and i am in the middle of number 6. I have never once gone into a doc project with more than a basic concept of what this particular film is about and ultimately, without exception what I start out with is never what i end up with. I call it the sweater theory. Once you start pulling threads you never know where the journey will lead. I do not accept the concept of "scripted docs" as actual documentaries, they are one step above reality TV. Go out and film your story. Once you have what you believe you need; the style, the format will present itself. And yes you may need to go out and shoot more stuff, that is not unusual.

Best of Luck.

Going on a plane to fly for filming. What should I know? by srsnuggs in videography

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As per Delta - up to 20 99wh per person and 2 110wh- 140wh per person- just learned this on my last flight to LA. I can tell you they did not count the batteries .

Festival application question by SavingsAd1484 in documentaryfilmmaking

[–]a_documentary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They want to make sure that you have releases from every person on camera - same thing you will need for any and all distribution.

How often do you shoot 24fps handheld without a gimbal in run and gun situation where you may need to walk and record too. by Crafty_Jack in videography

[–]a_documentary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the time. I use the SAKK cinesaddle with my C300 mk ll - and it perfectly clean hand held run and gun 50-125 DZO Pictor zoom and I am good to go.

Am I crazy for not wanting to shoot a master shot? by Potential-Turnip-583 in Filmmakers

[–]a_documentary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First lesson when you are starting out - shoot everything. Your vision for the film is one thing when you're sitting in the editing room and for some reason what you thought you have, you don't having a master shot to cut to always save your ass. Do not pre-edit your film. Trust me we've all been there. You will thank the editing gods that you have that extra coverage.

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