This is a Public Topic geared towards first-time filmmakers. Professional members of The D-Word will come by and answer your questions about documentary filmmaking.
What do you need to know? An hour with a good entertainment lawyer – one specializing in documentaries – would probably be as good as any course.
Basically, you want releases for everything – if you're filming in the US. Individuals, locations, etc.
If you're signing a contract of any kind, you want a lawyer.
Where would I get a good draft of a legal release to use people/places in my films?
Thanks already for your help!
Andrew, I would highly recommend you get the book Clearance and Copyright by Michael Donaldson. It's geared toward the independent filmmaker.
I am about to do a doc in Mexico. Any ideas of a good point person or company to help insurance against local hassles?
Hello – I have a silly question can u all tell me if in the film world is the word "narrative" just used for fiction films?
Ive heard the word thrown around for both documentaries and fiction long form. I always though that the word 'narrative' just meant 'story' example: what is the narrative? (to me means what is the story)
for better or worse, the term "narrative" is commonly used when referring to fiction films. obviously, we all believe that "narrative" should be able to equally describe a documentary; but in regular industry-speak, TITANIC is a narrative and HOOP DREAMS is simply a doc.
Narrative documentary – you might like to check out Sheila Curran Bernard's "Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers", also check out D-Worder Karen Everett's website
Does anyone know how much a 20-30 clip of a film like "Enchanted" would cost in order to be used for a documentary? I also wanted to use a clip from the show "Roseanne", I love Lucy, Leave it Beaver and other similar shows.
IMDB Pro doesn't have the video stock departments listed for Disney or the 5 major networks.
Also can someone like Disney prohibit the usage or referencing of their company's name or logos in a documentary that depicts them in a bit of an unflattering light? Do I need their approval?
I know the producer/director that did "Supersize Me" was able to shoot inside different McDonalds and use the McDonalds logo and his doc was against McDonalds – so I'm wondering how he got away with that.
There's a short answer to this: get yourself a lawyer. You can be sure that clearing the legal side of satirical/critical films like "Supersize Me" takes quite a bit of time and money.
It's also my understanding that McDonalds made a strategic PR decision not to take legal action against Super Size Me, judging that by giving the film additional publicity through a lawsuit they would do more harm than good for their business.
Looking to start the research process on a documentary should I dive first into the library or is there a tried and true method to scouring through massive amounts of information. If anyone has any tips to share I'm all ears.
Shyla, diving in in the only method I know of. Of course you might find Google more fruitful than the library to get a grounding in the topic.
Hi, I am new to The D-word community. A teacher recommended I join. I am a Photojournalism student and am working with nursing homes for my student project. I am trying to find a model release that is basic, but covers the consent of caregivers. If anyone has any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it!
Best,
Susan
so ive finished up my doc, and i need a score for it, its a doc on social workers dealing with children in grade school, any musical advise?
tell me what you guys think of my first draft,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mHHhzmuhqs
(make sure to press the HQ button!)
Hi Dustan, your draft makes it very clear for me what the programme is about and what it aims to achieve.
I have three issues (all audio).
1) The music you chose for the draft gives it a bit of a "infomercial" kind of feel. I was not charmed by it, but wouldn't know immediately what other music to recommend.
2) the part where the voice of the main character overlaps with another scene of him talking confuses me as it seems that he's out of sync with the audio. It was great seeing him (not talking but doing the excersize with the string) and hearing his voice, but the shot immediately after it makes for a weird effect.
3) Do you think you can get rid of the audio overdrive (or whatever it's called), there's a few ugly bumps in sound.
Hey Sahand,
you right, however choosing music has been one of the hardest things for me. Its hard to choose something that fits perfectly? not too cheesy but not to controlling over the video. Ill fix it up and bring it back up to this site, cheers,
Can someone explain what the Fernanda Rossi – aka The Documentary Doctor ad on d-word is all about? and is it free?
It's an announcement not an ad, Diane. Fernanda is our guest expert for a special 5-Day topic on the subject of story structure for documentaries. It will start on Monday and be open to the general public (aka Enthusiasts), as well as to all D-Word members, and will be archived after the week is over. And, yes, it's free.
Hi hi hi.. i was wondering if anyone has any feedback on FRACTURED ATLAS fiscal sponsorship program?
Hi! I'm trying to break into the business working on documentary films. I currently work as a TV reporter so I have background in shooting, writing, interviewing , editing, ect but want to change career paths. How do I get a paid position working on films? I've gone through craigslist but haven't had much luck. Any tips?
What is it you want to do in documentaries, Jennifer? Produce? Direct? Most folks just start out by making a film themselves. Another option is to try and find Associate Producing or editing gigs. It's actually pretty hard to answer that question.
I'm having issues putting together a budget. I'm shooting with miniDV and editing with FCP and all the sample budgets I found have have a lot of things on the budget pertaining to film and renting avid equipment and such. Plus I don't understand some of the categories such as beta tapes, video 1' stock, video dubs ect...Help!
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