4 Easy Steps to Film a Short Documentary

What are the essentials to a documentary, and how are they achieved? Today, Griffin shares his experience making documentaries and breaks down the 4 basic and fundamental components to documentaries!
You can check out Griffin's class where he goes deeper into documentary filmmaking at;
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#Documentaries #Interviews #BRoll

[@dukebozikowski3801]

1. Interview (aka SOT) 2. Voice over 3. B-roll 4. Natural Sound Break (ambience) but record it yourself

[@markrodriguez9442]

I could do both b roll and voice overs. Interview? I could get people to talk to me but idk about the natural sound break. Does it has to be real?

[@oumprod]

easy needed it for my school lol

[@shihableverutube]

You made it wonderful 👍

[@brentwpowell]

Truth to the whole B-roll “shoot more than you think you need” idea. I always wished I had more options to cover up interview edits.

[@Tore_Lund]

Rule of B-roll: Regardless of how much you think you need, you always realize during editing that you have anywhere form 30 seconds to 5 minutes too little of it. Solution; frantically search the internet for royalty free stock footage!

[@brentwpowell]

@@Tore_Lund Definitely more of an option today. The options weren't so good 3 years ago. I still prefer my own B-roll though, more cohesive and I like the idea that I can provide my clients/audience an authentic viewing experience. Not to say I won't use it! I produced a mini-doc last year that was 80% stock footage.

[@Tore_Lund]

@@brentwpowell Cheers, Yes the little secret, but nothing wrong with stock footage in principle. The main reason why this haunts me is I usually shoot B-roll as an afterthought after the main shoot, so whomever I'm with, expect to get a ride home immediately and as I have no Idea what the edit will feel like, I have no idea either of what exactly I need or how many mistakes I've made that need covering up. Only benefit is that everything is setup and lighting is the same. If I have enough time, I usually go out alone the day after, when I've completed the first rough edit and have a feel of the tone and rhythm of the edit, but as often there is no time for that and stock clips are the savior in the middle of the night.

[@DarkHourParanormal]

100% Always shoot more than you think you'll need.

[@vistisfilm]

I saw this video and I thought wow, I'm so glad Indy Moguls back

[@nyazillagojira7079]

Totally, right there with Film Riot. I enjoy the easy laid back hang out feel. You dont always realize just how solid the info dense is. This is original learning "creating a space so you want to know more, instead of a Ben Stein-Beuller class monologue.

[@hogg1media627]

Also, one of the details I HAD TO LEARN was "record the air space you're in before shooting interviews.. " I've had moments of pure silence/no audio before a question was asked and it really made me focus on that as I watched it. But I edited that part by adding the space/air sound clip and BOOM. covered up that awkward silence. These are simple tips for us who are shooting this style. Thanks for the tips

[@kareemhayes9347]

I really like how you simplified this for the audience. I’m moving into the documentary space and this was very helpful.

[@nyazillagojira7079]

Yes, Originally not into Doc Video stuff. Just didnt sit well with me. I liked the story driven mentality. But this explanation shows its not so much different if done properly. Thanks for taking that weight off. Now i can practice more and not stress so about getting 'something' on film even just for practice.

[@SamLucas26]

I love that 3 of the 4 tips for documentary film making is about the audio. The video shows the story but the audio tells the story and provides the context for the film.

[@tiyanalynn1372]

Wow this was FABULOUS. I’m moving abroad, and during covid times, I want to make a personal docu of my family to look at when I’m homesick. This really helped me start to get some ideas! I’m really excited now, thanks for the knowledge and inspiration 😁

[@StravaigingMTB]

I find shooting B-Roll and getting useful stuff is a time earned skill. I often start a documentary project as a dual photo/video project, with the photography element being used to help define the visual look and tone of the doc that I am making. As the project matures the photography usually falls away and it becomes a pure video project. Great tuition as always Hammond thanks for sharing.

[@SCOTTpilgrimist12]

This is by far the best iteration of Indy Mogul yet. So much high quality content, full of useful information and high production value. Thank you, guys

[@AllThingsFilm1]

I've always wanted to make a mock-umentary. Now, I have the 4 basic elements I can incorporate to make it more convincing. Even if it is tongue in check. Thanks for this.

[@DANAMIONLINE]

Around 4:30, Griffin talks about shooting b-roll first to build a rapport with the subject first before the interview. I would like to add to this conversation by suggesting conduct pre-interviews over the phone or video chat. (Muse Storytelling has resources on this.) This is a great option to get to know the subject. This isn't always feasible but it is another tool in the kit of video making. Hopefully, this helps someone. Much love!

[@houseofceremoniesinc3349]

I feel I'm ready to go and I have never done any kind of documentary. Thank you for making this so simple.

[@allenmoore9848]

Narration is good to cover over footage when you wait for ages for a day off work and a perfect sunny day together, arrive at the local park only to find that it is the same day the council are cutting grass nearby and all you end up doing is competing against the sound of the tractor. In those situations I continue to film my subject as per normal then voice over later in my work room. It has saved me many times when unpredictable events occur. thanks for the great video Allen

[@mullercardenas]

Man that was incredibly useful. Will definitely apply these tips in my next project. Thank you for sharing them, Griffin!

[@fz.maelainin]

This is by far the most helpful video I've seen on documentary filmmaking!

[@keithnisbet]

Thanks so much. I have to make a documentary probably no longer than 20 minutes but I have never done it before. It isn't to make money it's to preserve an incredible artists life time of work. This does help.

[@katherinedemsky6037]

Hi Griffin, I'm on lock-down in Kathmandu where I manage a small organization, Bridges Between - Supporting Women's Education in Nepal. I produced a short, informational film over the winter about one of the schools we support. Now I am inspired to shoot one on my own. So many amazing stories here that really must be told. I dusted off my cameras and bought your 5 hour workshop! I'm off and running. Many thanks.

[@indymogul]

Let us know how the filming goes :)

[@stpatrickcentre7694]

Hello Katherine kindly visit our needy/orphans community school here in Kenya be our patron and support take more kids to school

[@stpatrickcentre7694]

Hello

[@chutihudelle184]

I’m a freshman in the documentary shooting field , I have a documentary project recently which needs to be done and I was confused about how the hell should I shoot it . This video kinda educated me about how to shoot a documentary properly with clear examples. I subscribed this channel immediately after I finished watching it . Appreciate it badly !

[@gaylepilgrim309]

Thank you for making this overview for Beginner Producers!

[@naiduadi]

Hey Griffin, So good to see Indy Mogul back, had learnt a lot from you 5-6 years ago.

[@NickGandolfi]

I attended the course online las t year and I can confirm it's fantastic, loaded of practical workflows, hints, tips, tricks. Felt very real, thank you Griffin ;)

[@GoldOrMyGrave]

You guys ALWAYS post a video about a subject that I happen to be involved with or purchasing at the moment you post it! It is so coincidental I love it!

[@OffTheDomeMediaGroup]

This was perfect timing. I'm in pre-production for a short documentary right now. I really needed this to give me a jump start. Oh, and I'm taking your class. Awesome video as always Griffin. Thanks.🤗

[@Brian-Hansen]

Thanks for this. Sometimes we forget the basics. Always good to be be reminded!

[@imaobongedukere3882]

Thank You Indy Mogul, you are so amazing! New learnings for me, SOT, VO's and NAT sound 🤩

[@Havreringar]

It is great with someone that is on the point, no bs and with such quality content. Ace!

[@mattdoddato]

This was great, also excited to check out the full course!

[@CarnageCounts]

Thank you very much. This video was extremely helpful. Planning on doing a short documentary soon.

[@jojoowens9309]

Video is 2 yrs old but yet, one of the best educational ones I've seen yet. I'm about to start my 1st documentary about saving a small historical town in Mississippi, and this particular video has given me new looks towards my project. Thank you sir.

[@CarloTimothy]

This is why I'm subscribed! Classic Indy Mogul with a ton of information, no fluff, no excess. Just pure unadulterated Griffffffffinnnn! Love it. Please do more of these.

[@LemonExtras]

Griffin. Pls make a doc about the history of Indy mogul. The changing of hands, the impact on young filmmakers, etc.

[@lucian823]

LemonExtras that would be great !!

[@nyazillagojira7079]

That might actually be interesting idea i think. Go For It.

[@LemonExtras]

Brisdad53 I have. Been here since the beginning

[@jarodgatson361]

Great Job breaking that down!! You've reinforced some of the things I was doing aimlessly and definitely pointed me in the right direction. Great content, thank you, and keep up the awesome work!

[@danielashman1753]

Revolutionary stuff. A documentary includes interviews. Good to know.

[@Sunny01331]

Don't be afraid to let you B-roll be your A-roll. Often times the misconception is that B means secondary when it is often the most used in the final product. Many documentaries are comprised entirely of "B-roll" and include no interviews or sometimes no voice over. It depends on the message you are trying to get across and the mode of documentary filmmaking you want to use for your subject.

[@Reshae]

Thank you for this very informative, yet straight to the point video!

[@WeekendMotion]

Thanks to came back and show us lots of good things. me and my friends learns many things form your old youtube channel. Once again thanks.

[@aurareid5652]

Nat sound, I never thought about that and it makes a whole lot of sense. Thanks for putting this together!

[@AngryDadcreator08]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

[@FilmAshton]

Great video my dude! Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@mrjenybean]

Just watched the course this morning. Really useful stuff in there. I’m more of a tech head so can forget about the story element so that was super useful! Thanks

[@N1BNfilms]

Excellent tips. When I am shooting docs, I keep “PPT” in my mind. It is my improvised mental shot sheet reminding myself to look for these three elements to shoot: People, Places and Things. Usually for my B-roll shooting. The PPT gives me plenty of varied footage to use in the editing room to tell the story.

[@markrodriguez9442]

Almost like what Michael Moore would do when doing Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 for example. PPT.

[@N1BNfilms]

Mark Rodriguez , oops ! A typo, it should have been PTT, push to talk.

[@niamscookery3442]

Very useful.Thank you. Very crisp video.

[@joelsampson84]

Thanks for the knowledge, great content. Love this channel.

[@inneryard]

You did an interview with the camera in one hand and in the second hand the mic. Really awesome 👏

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Yeah, it takes practice. I usually use a lav mic. Interviews it's OK to show the mic. It's obviously not reality. Unless it's reality TV, where half the stuff IS staged.

[@rasmus9311]

I was just watching some Indy Mogul videos for the first time in years a couple of days ago and thinking hmm would be sweet to see Indy Mogul with a new logo, and here we are a couple of days later, a new logo and new video.

[@amorshanti]

thank you so much for this video. Very helpful.

[@stanleygrace8614]

I enjoyed watching this, will watch it again when I'm in a quieter place. I'm actually shooting a short documentary soon for a school project, so I was doing some research

[@-441-]

Great info, great watch, great video

[@Weird_Quests]

Amazing tips - really helps to hone in and tell that story. :). Loved it so much!

[@GokuRunner]

Really good info. Thanks for this.

[@SuperFabiulous]

Amazing video!! Thank you so much . This will inspire my work for sure!

[@zwheels654]

I took your class on creative live and actually use this method for corporate filmmaking as well. I seriously owe you for how much you taught me through that class.

[@BROTHERARTMUSICArturoJCastro]

Excellent and thank you!

[@mychalsimmons4177]

I learned something for sure Griffin. You always share great tips

[@damiangrasso3893]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@kevinlynch8614]

Awesome!! Currently in the process of working on an End Of Year review video that I'm doing in the documentary style, and I defintely learned a couple of new things here!

[@realestatemediapro]

Thank you for this value man! And for making the course so affordable as well. Definitely gunna pick It up.

[@rickharold69]

Great summary. Very helpful. Thx!!

[@ByStephieNics]

great basic info!! thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@bcvlogs7658]

Thank you for this great video, I'm new to filmmaking and I love the idea of making my own little documentaries. This has really helped a lot!

[@whistlingdingoproductions3968]

All killer no filler. Thankyou!

[@cristiangonzalezr]

Great advice, thank!

[@adamd416]

This is what I’m looking for as far a content. Excellent work.

[@aziara369]

Just subscribed!!! Thanks for sharing all these informations, man! Awesome!

[@SZ-wt3nk]

This was great!!! I've been searching up how to make a documentary, and all i've been finding is info on distribution and funding. Very good knowledge however for me, I'm just trying to make a short doc for my english class! This video captured everything I needed!

[@AlexMinor]

This was an AMAZING episode. I will definitely be purchasing your course and this makes me itch to shoot my first solo doc. I've done a few as part of a team, but I was strictly a DP. I didnt do any editing or have any input on how the final story was told. This makes me want to go out and shoot stuff NOW.

[@Raptorfilmz]

Thanks! Very helpful. Great voice.

[@jayviperdj]

Thank you. As someone at the very start of my journey I learned a lot from this. I am looking forward to creating my first project very soon. Will go to the site and purchase the crash course now.

[@jam06477]

Griffin, you are a base hit... thanks for posting this video!

[@djefx8303]

Amazing video!! I’m working on a documentary and I feel that there is much still to film. This helps me and I find it very inspiring! Keep up the good content! Totally subscribing!

[@Jabarikjay]

Thank you for sharing this information

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Great information. thanks for making this video.

[@oboyobon]

Great video. Thanks.

[@longyuanchuan]

This is a beautiful and informative video!! Thanks

[@marcjanssens9104]

Thanks for that. Really insightful.

[@esthersimon2736]

This video was very helpful. Thank you!

[@hfaria80]

Thank you very much. Very helpful tips and info.

[@bddonovan7818]

So. Much. Value. Thank you, I really appreciate you.

[@wyattx3]

Thank you for the great info

[@moniquebethell879]

Thanks for an easy way to understand and make a documentary 😊

[@ActivateLA]

Thank youuuu! Learned so much 👍👍

[@naordaniel]

beautifully made video, brilliant!

[@universalindierec]

This was great advice. As a total newbie you definitely have me thinking of how to shoot a documentary.. This video is bookmarked for sure.

[@theduallypumps]

I'm still in news and I'm sending this to all my freshman reporters. It's not the information but how succinctly you've stated it here. Great piece Griffin.

[@TheToneWork]

Thanks for this. It's funny to me that so much time is spent on so many channels is spent on cameras and lenses and lighting, and so little time is spent on audio, which is at least as important. Thanks for this!

[@RaoulMooyaart]

Thank you, that was really helpful

[@piri751]

Thank you so much!

[@groundtenpro]

Great info!

[@wagnerteixeiradeaguiar]

Thank you very much! Really appreciate!

[@Enonimesh]

You are really helpful, sir!

[@bunkerbz]

Brilliant video! thank yoU!

[@DOC_KN]

i reallly enjoy thank you so much

[@taffy94]

Very Helpful and well put together. A class act. I'm just getting into video as an extension of my photography. From the little I've done so far I can definitely say I'm not shooting enough, either A or B roll, probably a hang over from my film based photography. Thanks

[@maimohamed3590]

I'm glad this was on my youtube recommendations🙏😍✨👌

[@ontheroadwithralph1530]

Nicely done - I learned something.

[@fizzfox8886]

very cool, well done

[@c4minto81]

Very helpful thankyou

[@KambizSayari]

I loved it. Thank you

[@sivaramasubbum1937]

Thank you bro!

[@riotrob]

Thanks. This was great