Let’s Make a Documentary Film

The Cost Barrier of Film, Then and Now

In the past, filmmaking was an expensive endeavor, largely due to the cost of film stock. Shooting on film and developing it were both significant financial burdens. Over time, video recording replaced film, eliminating the need for development. Moreover, the transition from tapes to digital memory cards further reduced costs. This technological shift has made filmmaking, especially documentaries, far more accessible.

The Unique Charm of Documentaries

What sets documentaries apart from traditional films is their fluidity. While traditional films rely on carefully structured scripts and shooting schedules, documentaries often evolve organically. Even when a rough script is drafted, it serves merely as a broad guide. During production, new directions frequently emerge—this unpredictability is part of their charm.

Finding Subjects for Documentaries

Potential subjects for documentaries are everywhere, waiting to be discovered. Surprisingly, even topics you might initially dismiss as uninteresting can become captivating when meticulously explored in a documentary format.

For instance, my suburban neighborhood offers plenty of inspiration. A stroll reveals traces of its silkworm farming history—mulberry trees once used as silkworm feed and intriguing monuments, like one honoring silkworms lost in a farm fire. The idea of a monument for insects implies deep emotional and cultural narratives worth exploring. Local museums housed in historic buildings are another rich source of material. With diligent research, such subjects can make compelling documentary films.

This abundance of topics is the allure of documentaries. I encourage everyone to uncover the stories in their surroundings and give documentary filmmaking a try.

The Process and Challenges of Documentary Filmmaking

Creating documentaries requires a willingness to embrace inefficiency. Unlike traditional films, you can’t simply follow a storyboard to complete a scene. Instead, you collect footage as you conduct research—capturing moments that “might be useful”—and later refine your narrative during editing. This iterative process may lead to numerous revisions before reaching the final cut.

Fortunately, modern technology supports this approach. Non-linear video editing software makes it easy to reorganize footage, allowing for experimentation with different story structures. You might integrate footage shot earlier in the day to test new ideas, tweaking the composition as you go.

While documentaries lack the efficiency of scripted filmmaking, they allow for extensive use of narration—often discouraged in traditional films. Narration complements archival materials such as photographs, paintings, or documents, enhancing rather than detracting from the storytelling. In some cases, the visuals may even serve the narration rather than the other way around.

An Invitation to Aspiring Filmmakers

In an age where shooting and editing have become so accessible, documentary filmmaking offers a wonderful opportunity for those who find crafting fictional stories daunting or feel shy about acting. Why not give it a shot? Unearth the fascinating stories around you and bring them to life.

I hope you find this inspiring.