Q&A for How to Create a Good Documentary Film

To create a good documentary, you should focus on a compelling topic or story, incorporate credible witnesses and testimonials, and include thorough information, authentic footage, and relevant documents and pictures, while avoiding artificial reenactments. Treat the subject and its participants with respect, aiming for a raw and authentic presentation without dramatization.

Yes, this is a strong topic, especially given its environmental significance. Be prepared for extensive research.

To make it effective, consider narrowing your focus. You could center on a specific individual's journey with mental health challenges or explore one particular mental health condition and its impact on those affected.

To assess your documentary idea, conduct thorough research to understand its audience appeal and existing coverage. While almost any topic can find a niche, a unique perspective or broader interest often increases a film's potential impact.

Yes, this is an engaging topic. You will need to conduct thorough research, as U-boats and German naval warfare are complex subjects.

Most smartphones have pretty great cameras these days, so try shooting on one of those. You definitely don't need any fancy lighting equipment if you do all of your filming outdoors, and you can use iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. For sound, you can buy a decent microphone from Amazon or a local tech store for about $30. Another way to create a film documentary without investing in the equipment is to find a class in your area. Depending on where you live, there may be a community college or a community arts center offering a short course with a finished short doc as the goal. They provide cameras for the duration of the class.