Basic Structure or Grammar to produce Documentary Film

 

 John Grierson has called “Documentary film is the creative treatment of actuality” and Mr. Bosil Wright has defined it as the method to impart knowledge ….. All the documentary has some basic structure or grammar to produce it professionally.

 These are as follows: 

All the documentary has some basic structure or grammar to produce it professionally. Its structures are compiled by the following steps ;

 › Idea or thinking

 › Write the Treatment or Proposal 

› Creating a Script or Storyboard 

› Shooting Script 

› Post-Shooting Script 

1› Idea or thinking Think of an idea.

 Make sure it is original and able to keep the audience’s attention for more than 90 minutes. Before creating the script the documentary topic should be completely researched to to know the topic so well that it can practically tell someone anything they want to know on the topic.

 2 › Write the Treatment or Proposal

 A treatment is a short story narrative written in simple, non-technical language (ie. no camera angles, transitions, etc.). A proposal, which frequently includes a treatment, is a thorough description of all aspects of a project. 

It is created in the pre-production stage of a documentary project to persuade funders, distributors and others to support the project. 

Proposals: An effective proposal will: 

ƒTell a good story 

ƒMake human truths emerge through images—not just verbal description. 

ƒPresent a personal, critical perspective on some aspect of the human condition.

 ƒInform and emotionally move an audience. 

Usually a proposal will contain the following information: 

ƒLength of work, format.

 ƒWho is the intended audience? 

ƒGoal or intended purpose(s) of the film 

ƒStyle (Any key stylistic elements in writing, shooting, audio, editing, etc.)

 

ƒWhat about the soundtrack? (Any music, narration, etc.—If so, who? what?) 

ƒWho is working on the project? And what similar projects have they done in the past? (Credibility of production team) 

ƒHow will this work be distributed? (Which markets, any distributor on board already?)

 ƒProject history or current status of project.

 ƒHistorical background or context of the story 

ƒWho, what, where, when, how, why? Depending on the situation, the flowing things may include in the proposal:

 ƒHow will the project be funded?

 ƒAn outline production schedule. 

ƒA proposal will usually be accompanied by a budget and a sample reel or work-in progress edit. 

ƒThe goal of a proposal is to communicate the director’s idea to someone who may know nothing about either him, his previous work, or this project—don’t make assumptions. ƒUsually a proposal is a key element in securing resources to produce a project--so the credibility of the production team, and such factors as ‘Why this film?’ ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why these producers?’ are important. 

3 Treatments: ƒWhereas a proposal presents its argument rationally via categorized information, the treatment evokes how an audience will experience the film on the screen. 

ƒWrite in the active-voice in present tense. 

ƒTell the reader what they will see and hear on the screen. 

ƒDescribe the story and introduce any characters. Write colorfully, so the reader Visualizes what’s in the filmmaker's mind’s eye—

 ƒThe treatment has to show how the story is spellbinding and demonstrate that Ms. Sharikas work is remarkable by providing supporting information.

 A treatment is not necessarily brief! (Usually 2-10 pages, double-spaced) 

ƒBe specific—don’t uses words like may, might, possibly—the film will do xyz. If any one doesn’t know exactly which music he will use—make his best guess—he can always change his mind later.

Treatments and proposals are used to: 

1. Describe a project so that people involved share an understanding of interpretation and approach.

 2. Create a paper document that can help secure funding, distribution, and other resources. 

3. Provide guidance in the structuring and editing of a documentary project. 

4. Treatment or proposal should only be written after conducting the initial research. 

5. Be professional—not personal. Never make up partners or awards etc. Write and re-write the proposal until it is fluid.

 3.› Creating a Script or Storyboard 

Scripts are often not used  what will happen when the camera is rolling. In place of a script, filmmakers use treatments, proposals, or even outlines--to describe and help plan a documentary project. There is a lot of overlap between these concepts and different filmmakers use them in similar and often interchangeable ways. Some filmmakers will have a rough script written before they begin shooting while others will wait until all the footage is shot and then have a writer come in to piece together a story from the footage. Still others want a writer to come in after the documentary is almost entirely edited and simply write the narration. 

A storyboard is a visual display of the script divided into segments, where each segment is represented by an appropriate image (slides, video clips, etc.) for that segment. Storyboarding is an important part of the documentary process.

 This technique is used to help the director to decide which pictures, graphics and sound will best suit the narrative script. Now we will continue with the most common procedures to prepare a script.  

4 › Shooting Script 

Step 1: Write down an outline of what you think your documentary will be about and where you want to take the viewer during the film. This should include both locations and an array of emotional states. For instance, if you wish to attain sympathy for a particular group, think of ways to accomplish this. Decide what you want to accomplish with your idea. This outline needs to include the characters, their conflict and how you imagine their conflict will be resolved. Your documentary will change as you begin shooting, so right now all you need is a vague outline. 

Step 2: Fill out your outline with the findings from your research. The more useful information you can fit into your script, the better your project will be. 

Step 3 :Get in contact with experts in the field you are covering. They will be an invaluable resource when interviewing subjects. 

Step 4: Create a list of questions that you want to ask your characters. These questions will help to develop the characters and investigate their conflict. Consider your goals, and then outline the objectives to meet those goals. 

Step 5: Begin shooting, now that your shooting script is done. Film two or three times more footage than you expect to use. Stick to your outline and relay the story. Film everything on the script. Make sure you cover all of the questions you had, but be ready to take your documentary in a different direction if a new, better conflict arises. As your conflict changes, keep editing you shooting script

5. › Post-Shoot Script Step 

1 : Complete all of your filming, and start your post-shoot script. The purpose of this script is to help you or your editor to know exactly what to do to complete the project. Step

2 : Go through the footage and take notes. Look at the rough outline which was created for shooting. Write out a revised outline. Watch all the footage several times, making notes of clips and segments that can fit in with the outline or would make good transitional moments. Create yet another revised outline with your new inclusions or create a shot-by-shot outline of the script and use this as your guide. Step 

3 :Choose the scenes that you shoot that best develop your characters, conflicts and plot. Write an outline of the scenes that you intend to use in your final production..

 › Tips & Warnings 

• Keep the camera still and focused. Too much zooming and panning will make your film look out of focus and amateur.

 • Always carry a backup battery and charger. Nothing will kill the momentum of your filmmaking faster than a dead battery. 

• Relay the story as it unfolds; don’t get caught up in pretty shots. 

• Be conscious to select a proper microphone. A boom mic or a large shotgun mic will be invaluable to you. 

Watch all the footage every night. 

Keep tabs on what works for your documentary and what you will have to re-shoot.

 • Be sure to back up your documentary with facts and figures if you are making any claims against other parties.

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