Depending on the subject and the style of filming, a script for a documentary or non-fiction film may take a number of forms and be of varying degrees of detail. If the subject about to be documented is predictable, in a particular environment or demonstrates a routine, a script should be written to get coverage in three areas:
Action, Interviews and “B” roll.
For example a documentary about a restaurant owner shot on location, in the restaurant and researched by visits to the restaurant before shooting should have a script. Perhaps it starts out with exterior shots of the restaurant after which, the staff preparing for breakfast.
A shooting script can be written detailing coverage of the staff, the kitchen, and what questions will be asked, if interviews are going to be done at that time. Planning for coverage of the subject allows for more options during the editing process.
Shooting scripts and editing scripts for a documentary or nonfiction project look pretty much the same. They both use a multiple column format beginning with two columns, one for picture and one for audio. Additional columns may be added for storyboards or other information. Here we have added a column for shot number and another for time.
Using the “table” drop down menu in Microsoft Word a multi column script can be formatted. Creating the script with the “table” menu produces a multiple column script in which the cells in each row all expand at the same time so that picture and audio stay in one row.
Once shooting is finished an editing script based on the actual footage acquired and other factors is written. For example “B” roll might be added to supplement a shot like the Farmer walking toward the barn.
There are times when a detailed shooting script can’t be written because it isn’t known exactly what will happen. An open shooting script based on a wish list of coverage or a shot list of various shots and angles for action and for the interview can still be written. After the shoot the footage is logged and an editing script based on the actual footage is written.
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Making A Short Documentary article.
Excerpted from Create Documentary Films, Videos and Multimedia, Third Edition 2014, by James R (Jim) Martin
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The Art of Listening and Interviewing
One of the key factors in getting good interviews is listening. It is important to be able to conduct an interview and at certain times to be a good interviewee. Interestingly, listening is important in both cases. From a job interview to meeting some one for the first time, so much of conversation today is actually about listening. Beginning with “Hi, how are you today?”
Listening techniques share concepts that apply to many types of interview situations including public relations, business, law, documentary, journalism, panel discussions, talk shows, radio, and television. Questions come to mind about how to handle interviews in many areas. How do you choose whom to interview? How do you approach people for an interview? What is the most important thing to remember when doing an interview? How do you come up with questions? How do you approach different types of interview situations? How do we communicate to the person we are interviewing and what are the ways they might respond? What makes a good interview? Is interviewing an art that can be learned? This book explores these questions and others.
“Action speaks louder than words,” is true in life and in movies. Film stories are dependent on action because of the nature of the film medium, also known as “Motion Pictures.” Dialog is supplemental and supportive to the action. The actor’s dialog adds nuance and detail to the story. Actors must listen to each other. In actuality documentary stories the actor’s dialog is replaced by first person narration interviews to support the action. Various types of interviews are also used in all forms of documentaries and journalistic pursuits including television news.
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Learn how to make documentary films and videos. Documentary Directing and Storytelling by James R Martin. Available at Amazon.com Print and Digital
New Book on Making Documentaries article Documentary Directing and Storytelling.
