Hi, I live in Orlando, and am thinking of going to Asia, probably Thailand, to teach English. I was thinking while I was out there I'd like to film a documentary on something. How does one go about doing a documentary? I've worked in video production a few years, but have never embarked on something like this. Do I seek funding first...later...at all? How do I procure interview subjects? Do I need to get permits or anything if I'm shooting with minimal gear? Thanks!

Read this (http://www.amazon.com/Directing-Documentary-Michael-Rabiger/dp/0240810899/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401699177&sr=8-2&keywords=rabiger).

Sheila Curran Bernard has written a good one on documentary story telling.
"Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers." Several editions of it published. ref. Amazon!

Watch lots of documentaries!!!

Watch lots of documentaries!!!

This is what I'd definitely recommend. I'd prefer this method over reading personally.

A to Z of shooting a documentary? Here is the S of shooting a documentary. Paul Stekler.

Paul Stekler | Radio-Television-Film (http://rtf.utexas.edu/faculty/paul-stekler)

This is what I'd definitely recommend. I'd prefer this method over reading personally.

That tells you what a good doc should look like but not how to shoot it.