Angie Cardenas
Thomas Cristancho
Lorena Gonzalez
HOW TO CREATE A DOCUMENTARY?
Creating a documentary always starts with an initial spark: the idea. Choosing a suitable topic is
crucial, as it must be something you are passionate about and at the same time can capture the
interest of the audience. This topic can revolve around historical events, fascinating people, social
phenomena or any story worth telling. Ideally, the topic should be broad enough to attract an
audience, but also specific enough to maintain a clear and precise focus.
With the topic defined, you move on to the research stage, a fundamental pillar in the creation of
any documentary. It is in this phase that you will obtain all the information necessary to shape your
story. Research can include consulting books, articles and reports, as well as interviews with experts
or people involved in the story. This process will not only provide you with in-depth knowledge
about the topic, but will also allow you to identify the most interesting and relevant angles for the
narrative of your documentary.
After gathering the information, it is time to give structure to the story by creating a script and
planning. While documentaries don't have a rigid script like fiction films do, it's essential to have an
outline to guide the development of the plot. At this stage, you decide what kind of footage you
need, who you'll interview, and what key moments will be. This script acts as a map to help you
organize the main ideas, the topics to be discussed, and the order in which they'll appear. This is
also where you plan the logistics of filming, such as filming locations and the technical equipment
you'll need.
With planning underway, comes the filming phase, where you capture all the footage you need to
tell your story. It's vital to be flexible during this stage, as in documentaries, circumstances can
change unexpectedly. In addition to filming interviews and key scenes, it's advisable to shoot
additional footage, known as "b-roll" or "supporting footage," which will provide visual context to
the narrative, such as landscapes, everyday activities, or details of the environment. It's preferable
to have more footage than necessary to ensure sufficient options during editing.
Once filming is complete, the editing process begins, where the story is actually built. In this phase,
the best shots and interviews are selected and organized so that the narrative is clear, engaging,
and coherent. Editing also includes adding music, sound effects, titles and subtitles, and even voice-
over, if necessary, to guide the story. This process is laborious and can take time, but it is essential
to give the documentary rhythm and cohesion.
Before finishing the project, it is advisable to review the work by presenting a preliminary version
to a small group of people. This feedback will allow you to identify if any part of the story is not well
understood or if certain aspects can be improved. At this point, it is common to make adjustments,
either by removing unnecessary scenes or clarifying moments that may cause confusion. These
changes are essential to ensure that the documentary is attractive and clear to the audience.
Angie Cardenas
Thomas Cristancho
Lorena Gonzalez
Finally, once the documentary is completed, it is time to think about its distribution. There are
multiple options for sharing it with the world: uploading it to video platforms such as YouTube or
Vimeo, presenting it at film festivals, selling it to television channels or streaming platforms, or even
organizing local screenings. The distribution strategy will depend on the type of audience you want
to reach and the resources available. In addition, it is important to carry out adequate promotion,
using social networks, media outlets or collaborations with organizations linked to the subject of
the documentary.
In short, making a documentary is a process that combines meticulous research, creativity and
patience. Through this medium, it is possible to tell real stories that have the power to inspire,
educate and generate an impact on society. Although each documentary presents its own
challenges, the end result is undoubtedly a rewarding reward for those who venture to tell a story
through this powerful form of communication.
