How to Become a Documentary Filmmaker

About Documentary Filmmaker

Documentary filmmakers are industry experts who produce nonfiction content for audiences to learn from and be entertained by, such as television programmes and films about real-life experiences. These filmmakers may make movies for a variety of reasons; some want to educate viewers, while others are more concerned with documenting specific historical occurrences.  Regardless of their specific objectives, the majority of documentarians take on the primary responsibilities of managing a filming project, gathering a crew, reviewing footage, and ensuring the project is on schedule.It frequently takes a sizable time and effort commitment to become a documentary filmmaker. Many professionals who enter this field spend many years perfecting their craft, getting over obstacles, and locating a niche where they can prove their worth.

Becoming a documentary filmmaker is among the most challenging and promising career options of today. The field of documentary filmmaking is a perfect blend of reality, creativity, and technicality. To excel in this field of filmmaking, one has to be creative, innovative, decisive, open-minded and technologically savvy. A documentary filmmaker is responsible for taking the concept for a film project and turning it into a finished film by assembling a cast and/or crew and “shooting” the sequences. The job of a documentary filmmaker involves managing a large production crew of the film or TV production, hiring and appointing members of the technical crew and cast, managing the actors working in the film/TV, securing or procuring finance, studying the documents and retrieving relevant information. Hence, a successful documentary filmmaker needs to be a visionary, who possesses the quality of creative interpretation of reality.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Documentary Filmmaker

Depending on their specific role, the scope of their work, and the number of other professionals they work with on a project, documentary filmmakers may be responsible for a wide range of tasks. Here are some of the fundamental roles and responsibilities of documentary filmmakers, keeping these variations in mind:

• Plan a basic narrative or idea that could be developed into a full film project
• Employing and supervising production staff to handle various aspects of filming
• Work with sound engineers and cinematographers to produce high-caliber work
• Interview the subjects to gain knowledge and enhance the movie's content
• Review footage, evaluate development, and make adjustments as needed to support the project
• Assemble or edit video to create a compelling narrative that viewers can follow
• Obtain money for the project or sponsorship from different sources

Eligibility to become Documentary Filmmaker

Pursuing a degree in a media-related core subject or professional courses can be a good step towards becoming a documentary filmmaker. Additionally, being a documentary filmmaker will give you the skills that one needs for a wide variety of filmmaking jobs.

The academic qualifications required for becoming a certified documentary filmmaker are listed below:

Subject Combination – Completing class 12 in any stream from any recognized board is an advantage.

Exam – FTII Entrance Exam, National School of Drama (NSD) Screening Test

Eligibility -

• In the field of documentary filmmaking, the basic eligibility is 10+2 for technical courses, however, for other courses it is graduation.
• Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a field related to films. In order to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a filmmaker, candidates may enroll themselves in a bachelor's degree program in film and television production.
• For master degree courses, if candidates have finished their graduation or diploma in film producing/making from any acknowledged institute, then they are considered to be eligible.
• Candidates who wish to join the PG diploma course in film producing/making must have done graduation in the relevant subject.

Note: There are various universities/institutes that offer diploma, post diploma and even certificate courses in each area of specialisation like in animation, production, direction, editing, cinematography, film processing, acting, sound engineering, make-up, photography and so on. Candidates must note that the duration of courses depends on the course one opts for and the institution chosen.

Steps to become a Documentary Filmmaker

Here's how to get started as a documentary filmmaker:

1. Pursue a film degree

While there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a documentary filmmaker, pursuing a degree programme in film may be advantageous. A programme like this can help you gain a foundation of knowledge about the industry and start honing your skills. Furthermore, as a student, you may have the chance to work on film projects in order to gain experience and develop your portfolio.

2. Become familiar with industry trends and practises

As you gain a knowledge base in documentary filmmaking, it is critical that you become acquainted with the industry. Conduct trend and best practise research so that you can apply these techniques in your work. It may even be beneficial to watch a variety of documentary films in order to make observations about what draws you in as a viewer and develop an understanding of what makes films successful.

3. Experiment and improve your skills

You can begin experimenting once you have an idea of the type of films you want to make. Consider purchasing a camera or renting equipment to learn how to use them. From here, you may be able to hone your skills in cinematography, lighting, and sound, all of which are necessary components of producing an effective film.

4. Make contacts with other professionals

Consider networking with other professionals as you improve your skills and become more competent in your field. It is critical for documentary filmmakers to be able to collaborate effectively with others, as these professionals frequently need to do so in order to achieve their objectives. As a result, make an effort to develop relationships with others in this field in order to gain insight and identify opportunities for collaboration.

5. Recognize your objectives

If you are clear about your objectives, you might succeed in this field more easily. Consider carefully what you hope to achieve with your documentary, as well as your personal goals and what you hope to convey to viewers. From this point on, look for a few chances to realise those objectives.

6. Search for freelance work

Before starting on solo projects, it might be beneficial for you to find freelance work to develop your portfolio. A strong body of work in your portfolio can help demonstrate your expertise and worth as a professional in this field. Then, as your career as a filmmaker takes off, you can use the objectives you listed above to make a short film and release it on your own.

Types of Job Roles Documentary Filmmaker

There are a number of job profiles that one can target based on the level of interest. Following are some of the documentary filmmaker job profiles that one can opt for:

Documentary Producer: One of the most important jobs of a documentary producer is to generate money to make a film. He/she oversees the creation of the entire film and manages the budget and the staff. He/she also works with the director to hire production staff for production assistance.

Documentary Director: The job role of a documentary director includes central duties in pre-production, the actual filming, editing and post-production work. The job of a documentary director also includes creating a production schedule, gathering existing footage and other production elements like photos, documents etc and writing a script outline.

Programme Researcher: A programme researcher generates programme ideas, prepares cost accounts, organises meetings and interviews with appropriate people. He/she also organises, plans and coordinates the production of films/ television and undertake relevant background research.

Documentary Sound Designer: He/she is responsible for creating the overall auditory effects of a film, or TV show. He/she can choose, edit and remix music, work with live musicians in the theatre or work with a composer to make original music.

Writer: The job of the documentary writer includes working with the director and editor to shape the narrative of the film/ TV show as a whole. He/she understands the different ways that films affect audiences and have an in-depth understanding of the story, plot and narrative.

Employment Opportunities for Documentary Filmmaker

Documentary filmmaking is a dynamic and challenging field in which new opportunities open every day. For a documentary filmmaker, the employment opportunities are numerous. One can begin his/her own business enterprise in this field by working independently or one can also find jobs of documentary filmmaking in abroad as well. Some of the top sectors that require a documentary filmmaker are mentioned below:

• Film Studios
• Production companies
• Advertising agencies
• NGOs
• Television production firms
• Colleges and universities
• Theatres
• Event management companies

Top Recruiting Companies for Documentary Filmmaker

Some of the leading companies where a documentary filmmaker can find employment opportunities are listed below:

• Dharma Productions
• UTV Motion Pictures
• Phantom Films
• Balaji Motion Pictures
• Excel Entertainment
• Sony Pictures
• Red Chillies Entertainment
• Yash Raj Films(YRF)
• National Geographic
• Blue Sky Studios
• Fox Star Studios
• BBC Films

Skills Required to be a Documentary Filmmaker

Candidates must possess the following skill sets to be the best documentary filmmaker:

• Screenwriting Familiarity
• Visual Storytelling
• Communication Skills
• Technical Expertise

Pay Scale/Salary of Documentary Filmmaker

In the field of documentary filmmaking, no fixed per month salary can be expected. A documentary filmmaker generates income on the basis of his/her projects and the salary of a documentary filmmaker ranges widely, depending on his/her talent level and experience.

Documentary Filmmaker’s Career Path

Some documentary producers learned about the industry on their own and built successful careers for themselves through hard work, starting in low-level, sometimes unpaid, production assistant jobs and then trying their hand at producing and learning the majority of what they know through experience and trial and error. A general understanding of the industry as a whole as well as the diverse disciplines within the field can be achieved at documentary filmmaking school. In addition to this, documentary filmmakers have a plently of career options available to them. They can collaborate with various NGOs to help them spread their viewpoints among the general public, or they can go it alone and gain notoriety, fame, and financial gain. Those who give the concept a special treatment in this field may even achieve international fame. One can use a variety of television channels, such as CNN-IBN, National Geographic, Discovery, and History, which feature documentaries to familiarise the general public with reality.

Books & Study Material to Become Documentary Filmmaker

Documentary filmmaking is a skill based career option. To pursue a career in the field of documentary filmmaking, one must have both technical and artistic skills, communication skills for production and direction, ability to bring out talent in others, leadership qualities, creative instincts as well as managerial and administrative abilities. Hence, there are no specific books or study material that can prepare you for a career in documentary filmmaking.

However, here are some best books that can be referred to study documentary filmmaking:

• Directing the Documentary by Michael Rabiger
• Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen by Sheila Curran Bernard
• Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World by Jon Fitzgerald
• Adventures in the Lives of Others: Ethical Dilemmas in Factual Filmmaking by James Quinn

Pros of becoming a Documentary Filmmaker

• As a documentary filmmaker, you have time to work on your own film projects.
• This profession gives you the freedom to make your own schedule.
• New opportunities arise through meeting and networking with other professionals.
• Working as a documentary filmmaker gives you a chance to create a name for yourself in the film industry.

Cons of becoming a Documentary Filmmaker

• Filmmaking industry is a cutthroat industry where the level of competition is fierce. One may not have consistent work.
• Documentary filmmaker works very long hours during a film, including evenings and weekends.
• A documentary filmmaker has many responsibilities including technical, financial, administrative etc.