Wild life documentaries at DVinfo.net

Andrew Carter · December 8th, 2009, 12:00 PM

Hi everyone,

I've an idea for a wildlife documentary, I've never worked within this sector apart from once. Can anyone tell me if you write a script/or a script outline or plot?

Do documentarys work within the 3 act structure? Can anyone explain to me how you'd typically plot any documentary?

Thanks
Andrew

Paul Inglis · December 11th, 2009, 12:26 PM

This is so subjective! You can film it so there is or isn’t narration! Some filmmakers think a wildlife documentary should have narration only with no music while others all music with no narration. Others are more in the middle. Some have a presenter on-screen while others with just a voice over.

Yes it must have a story or no-one will want to watch it as it’ll be boring! You need to hook the audience straight away and keep them hooked throughout. You must conclude it or the viewer will be upset.

Check out the hundreds of wildlife documentaries on Discovery, Sky, the BBC and don’t forget DVDs. It’s a great way to see what works, what doesn’t, how it’s shot and edited together to make it and keep it interesting.

A storyboard is a great way to get started!

Shoot to a script or storyboard really helps the production side of things flow! You may have to wait for the wildlife to play ball though!

Andrew Carter · December 16th, 2009, 02:10 PM

Yes, ive been watching as many programmes as i can lay my hands on.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I'm glad some one did.
Merry xmas or happy holidays to you.

Richard Gooderick · December 16th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Hi Andrew
You could try this organisation. I've been on two of their courses. They were good:
Wildeye - International School of Wildlife Film-making
There probably aren't many wildlife film makers reading the Documentary Techniques section.
Don't take it personally that you didn't get lots of replies to your question. The answer probably wasn't apparent to most of the people who read your post.
BTW I'm not a wildlife film maker either.

Brian Standing · December 18th, 2009, 10:28 AM

Fernando Rossi is one of my favorite writers on the topic of documentary, story structure and other issues. Check out her column at The Independent here:

Ask the Doc Doctor | The Independent

Andrew Carter · December 22nd, 2009, 02:49 PM

Thanks Richard, Brian

I will check them out.

kind regards
Andrew

Steve Siegel · December 22nd, 2009, 06:44 PM

Just happened onto your post. Without knowing the subject of your documentary, I think it's safe to suggest that you keep your story line "loose". When shooting wildlife you certainly will get some (unexpected) killer footage that you want to include just for its beauty or uniqueness. It's good to be able to adjust your story line to fit. If you haven't already, look at the UWOL forum (it's near the top of the list). You will find a lot of top-notch short documentaries there.

Chris Korrow · February 18th, 2010, 09:11 AM

Depends on what your subject is.
I just start with an idea and start shooting and the story begins to quickly unfold. Nature inspires me, so when I'm working in/with it the project just starts to fall into place. Kinda like I'm doing an interview. I guess it's just a different kind of listening.

December 8th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#1
Andrew Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 116	Wild life documentaries Hi everyone, I've an idea for a wildlife documentary, I've never worked within this sector apart from once. Can anyone tell me if you write a script/or a script outline or plot? Do documentarys work within the 3 act structure? Can anyone explain to me how you'd typically plot any documentary? Thanks Andrew

December 16th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#4
Richard Gooderick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 795	Hi Andrew You could try this organisation. I've been on two of their courses. They were good: Wildeye - International School of Wildlife Film-making There probably aren't many wildlife film makers reading the Documentary Techniques section. Don't take it personally that you didn't get lots of replies to your question. The answer probably wasn't apparent to most of the people who read your post. BTW I'm not a wildlife film maker either. __________________ http://www.gooderick.com

December 18th, 2009, 10:28 AM	#5
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Fernando Rossi is one of my favorite writers on the topic of documentary, story structure and other issues. Check out her column at The Independent here: Ask the Doc Doctor \| The Independent __________________ http://www.prolefeedstudios.com/blog/ Documentary for the masses!

February 18th, 2010, 09:11 AM	#8
Chris Korrow Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Whidbey Is, WA Posts: 326	Depends on what your subject is. I just start with an idea and start shooting and the story begins to quickly unfold. Nature inspires me, so when I'm working in/with it the project just starts to fall into place. Kinda like I'm doing an interview. I guess it's just a different kind of listening. __________________ www.breathedeepproductions.com

December 11th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#2
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	This is so subjective! You can film it so there is or isn’t narration! Some filmmakers think a wildlife documentary should have narration only with no music while others all music with no narration. Others are more in the middle. Some have a presenter on-screen while others with just a voice over. Yes it must have a story or no-one will want to watch it as it’ll be boring! You need to hook the audience straight away and keep them hooked throughout. You must conclude it or the viewer will be upset. Check out the hundreds of wildlife documentaries on Discovery, Sky, the BBC and don’t forget DVDs. It’s a great way to see what works, what doesn’t, how it’s shot and edited together to make it and keep it interesting. A storyboard is a great way to get started! Shoot to a script or storyboard really helps the production side of things flow! You may have to wait for the wildlife to play ball though!

December 16th, 2009, 02:10 PM	#3
Andrew Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 116	Yes, ive been watching as many programmes as i can lay my hands on. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I'm glad some one did. Merry xmas or happy holidays to you.

December 22nd, 2009, 02:49 PM	#6
Andrew Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 116	Thanks Richard, Brian I will check them out. kind regards Andrew

December 22nd, 2009, 06:44 PM	#7
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 839	Just happened onto your post. Without knowing the subject of your documentary, I think it's safe to suggest that you keep your story line "loose". When shooting wildlife you certainly will get some (unexpected) killer footage that you want to include just for its beauty or uniqueness. It's good to be able to adjust your story line to fit. If you haven't already, look at the UWOL forum (it's near the top of the list). You will find a lot of top-notch short documentaries there.