Documentaries

[BrianTubbs]

Would be interested in people's comments concerning the market for documentaries.

Does anyone have any success stories? Is there a similar age discrimination thing going on with documentary scripts as there is with TV and feature film specs? What good books are out there on this niche of scriptwriting?

[Ghost RYter]

Brian , I have no experience in this area but may offer a few thoughts....To create a good documentary you will no doubt be (or seek to become) an expert in the feild you are creating media for ..... Theres probably not a huge market for these films but therein lies the beauty of it as you could produce an entire film (writing, filming , editing , etc.) start to finish with a good computer (and software ... I have Sony Vegas Movie Studio and its amazing . You can use 'green screen' 'overlays' tons of layers and more) and a thousand dollar cam from any electronics store .
You can then market a 'finished' product on your own and if its good enough Someone WILL Pick it up .

[BrianTubbs]

In terms of knowledge, I'm definitely an expert in early American history, particularly with respect to the Founding Fathers as well as the Civil War. I'm a developing, quasi-expert in other areas, including Christian history, Christian living, etc. However, in none of these areas, am I the kind of expert with head-turning credentials. But....I am intrigued by what you say. I'll think on it.

[Ghost RYter]

Credintials would pretty much only matter if you were trying to get a grant to film/create your vision with ...... If its already made it really just comes down to quality and the facts you present being true . You can interview people with credentials for your audience to see .... You can write , narrate , film , produce , whatever and put your name large and BOLD on the opening screen .

[cooeedownunder]

There is Fourdocs link below, which has some good info and where you can even upload a 4 minute documentary.

http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/guides/index.html

Goodluck...I also think that documentaries are a way into screenwriting, as they give you the opportunity to not only write, but also produce and direct if you have the inclination and a good story that can be sold in this medium.

Many producers of documentaries in Australia go on to produce full featured film...

Goodluck

[Goodwriterguy]

Would be interested in people's comments concerning the market for documentaries.

Does anyone have any success stories? Is there a similar age discrimination thing going on with documentary scripts as there is with TV and feature film specs? What good books are out there on this niche of scriptwriting?
I'm sure there are books, I'm just not familar with that whole arena.

Except to say that shooting a doc is no mean feat. First, you have to write something, then plan, plan, plan, and schedule, schedule, schedule, then you have to go out and shoot film, and hopefully the weather cooperates and your permissions hold up. You probably have to shoot at least 5:1 and then spend a lot of time cutting the thing together, getting a music track, dubbing what's needed, and assemble a sound track. Then ya gotta do titles and credits.

It's a ton of work and nothing ever goes exactly as planned, so you have to be totally flexible and able to spin on a dime.

Don't head out with camera in hand until you know damned well things are fully prepared, including having a "Plan B" in case something goes awry.

But, should you manage to get a decent piece together, there is market demand, and I think plenty of it.