How to Make a NETFLIX Style Documentary

In this video, we're going to learn how to make a Netflix-style documentary.
We'll be focusing on the fundamental elements of making a documentary, from character development to engaging hooks that draw your viewers in. By the end of this video, you'll be ready to start filming your own Netflix-style documentary!
This video was graded with my cinema Luts: www.alexzarfati.com/luts
My favorite lens amzn.to/3CCR7X1
Documentary Filmmaking Course: www.documentaryfilmmaker.co/
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Contents of this Video
00:00- Intro
00:30- Giveaway
00:45- AMAZING NETFLIX Documentaries
01:45- How to learn from these Documentaries
02:30- How to hook your audience into your Documentary
04:28- B-roll for your Documentary
06:48- Pacing and shot Diversity
09:25- Character Development
10:47- Close your Documentary

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

This video was graded with my cinema Luts: www.alexzarfati.com/luts My favorite lens amzn.to/3CCR7X1 Join my FREE Cinematography Training www.alexzarfati.com/freecinematographytraining Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/alexzarfati/ Follow me on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@alex.zarfati My Camera Bodies Ursa 12K amzn.to/3AyXpnT Bmpcc 6K Pro amzn.to/3TuW7Do My Lenses Sigma lens 24-70mm amzn.to/4433N4a Sigma lens 50mm amzn.to/3CCR7X1 Sigma lens 24mm amzn.to/3RmYl5R Sigma lens 50-100mm amzn.to/3PTUpIF My Drone Mavic Pro 3 amzn.to/3AyXpnT My Audio Gear Rode NTG3 amzn.to/42KGkDx Cheaper Lav System amzn.to/3Q1eYD1 Better Lav System amzn.to/3e0bcwd Zoom Recorder amzn.to/3CHmC2q Patch Cable amzn.to/3R4a1uy Get this for Rodelink lav set amzn.to/3pSyO8H Boom Pole amzn.to/3wFwoy8 My Monitor Feelworld Cut6 Monitor amzn.to/3n9qmnj Feelworld Monitor amzn.to/3PZLa9C SDI Cable amzn.to/3R16cWV HDMI Cable amzn.to/3pVpzoo My Lights FEELWORLD: 225B amzn.to/3GSPxlKFeelworld FEELWORLD FL 125B amzn.to/3Gu2MI9 Aputure 120D II amzn.to/3q9ue60 Aputure 300D II amzn.to/3RfaXeY Aputure Mini Lights amzn.to/3RlUDte Nanlite Projector mount amzn.to/44BAxTd Aputure light dome amzn.to/3cxC3zs Aputure light dome Mini amzn.to/3ATJIl1 Tripods and C-stands Tripod Small rig amzn.to/3Nbf5MJ Tripod amzn.to/3AtMRXn Cheap C-stand amzn.to/3PYuYWq Better C-stand amzn.to/3Rvw4d8 Accessories Ursa sticky circles for lav amzn.to/3Ax6Iov Sandbags amzn.to/3e6Fzky Clamps amzn.to/3QYSZxS Gaff Tape amzn.to/3wETbdo Painters Tape amzn.to/3wHAQMN Tool Set amzn.to/3AwYLQ9 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases #commisionsearned

[@reelnatebrown]

Great take on and tips for shooting Documentary style films.. thank you

[@ChurroDaHoudini]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW This was very motivational even on how you sat and explained things in detail. Loved everything about this video.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thank you brother I’m glad you liked it. 🙏🏻

[@LennoxGasper]

I love your video production and advice. It helped me to better understand the importance of hooking your audience into your Documentary in the first 30:sec. Secondly, when you talk about B-roll for your Documentary and shot Diversity (On the beach, in the car, outdoors, and to ensure they are captured in wide, medium and closeup). Thirdly, when you mentioned pacing the subject for a more natural feel, that was an eye-opener. Fourthly, is the need for Character Development very profound, and Last but not least is the importance you must place on Closing your Documentary. All-in-all, this video was very informative and motivating. Keep it up.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome Lenox I’m very happy that you found this information useful. We have a lot more coming in the next couple of weeks all covering documentary filmmaking.

[@omaralcantara1142]

Love this video just helped me so much re think my approach, also doing a documentary about a fight, but in the boxing world thankfully he ended up winning, I was so confident in him winning that I didn’t write out a narration for a loss but this helped a lot thank you 🙏🙏🎥

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome Omar glad that helped brother

[@mbuleloxinana8907]

Thank you so much my brother. I am new in your channel. Last month I was in documentary course and in my group we developed our own documentary that was based on the influence of media in changing people perception with regards Israel-Palestine and I won the Best Camera Operator. I am now sitting here watching your your videos-I love them

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome congratulations and I’m so glad you found the channel🙌🏻

[@mbuleloxinana8907]

Thank you much. Please don't mind me I will keep you update with any of my developments.

[@31kaydawg]

Can you hear me now? I've tried studying this for myself, so I appreciate your breakdown! Thank you!!!

[@ball_a29000]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW Great video as always, your documentarys are soooooooo cinematic! The lighting, the camera movement, the grading, the SFX: that all is on a incredibly high level! Keep it up guy ::: ->

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thank you brother I greatly appreciate that.

[@mauhimauhi2063]

great content. thank you

[@dominiquecl871]

Now that I think about it, maybe the development of characters in a documentary story could be part of your course? Or like a subsection of scripting. Great video as always. Keep up the good work!🔥

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks Dominique 🙌🏻

[@Avv.OresteMariaPetrillo]

Most interesting channel on youtube about film making

[@cgm_rdgdl]

Can you hear me know ? Thanks Alex, I feel like this video kind of brought together about everything I previousy learned about audience retention in documentaries !

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

If you guys want to watch my Law of the Goat Docuseries check out these links! kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWsiISYoZugbKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHyoaYyjl72eo8k

[@ianreels]

This is awesome! Thanks🤍

[@MedAmineTN]

Amazing Video 😍

[@WarpedStudios]

Very interesting to watch this video considering that I binged Netflix documentaries for days non-stop!! Can you hear me now?

[@dannydirect]

excellent vid man.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Glad you enjoyed it Danny

[@gringomedia]

Can you hear me now I've been binge watching your videos the last few days and this video just gave me an idea on how to create better videos for my clients. At the moment, I'm creating social media videos (e.g. promotional/processes) for SMBs. I'm going to try and use some of these tips you gave to create a different perspective on these videos. Thank you for the great work!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s Amazing brother I’m so happy I could help 🙌🏻 good luck on the journey.

[@vivekjha1918]

I would love to see a video on how can we, as a beginner, start our journey of being a professional documentary filmmaker. Some details on how to get the first client. Can you hear me now?

[@Photoshopuzr]

This information is worth more than that free mic :D. Thanks again man, im pretty sure ill never win anything on here anyway.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks man and you never know

[@GOD.GIFTS_]

I can here you 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@AlexisMecozzi]

Can you hear me now! It's my first time here and it won't be the last for sure, great video man!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome man so glad you found the channel🙌🏻

[@SQUAWWW]

I hear a lot of producers throw that term around now "Netflix style". It's funny Netflix didn't coin the style. Docuh follows just evolve overtime due to film makers innovation. But if I had to pick one particular film that was a turning point. I would put my money on the original "Planet Earth" series. They really changed the game!

[@Business_Ben]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?! Love your stuff man, keep up the great work. ALSO, I'm looking to upgrade my camera to something a bit more professional but still keeping budget in mind (in college lol) and was looking at FX3 but I keep hearing mixed stuff, do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

It depends on your budget, the FX3 is great, but you have to make sure that you have enough money to buy a lense and some other accessories to make it ready to shoot. I also recommend the blackmagic 6K pro. That’s an absolutely amazing camera for for the price you can get that and a lens for about $3K

[@jorgekas1]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW This video is pack with tons of usable info. Like your style.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks brother🙌🏻

[@LipazMusic]

Can you hear me now. I’m not into documentary, but definitely would give this mic a try in field recording.

[@androidfighter]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! Great info. You covered gear, script writing, and story pacing for docs. Can you cover networking with others to get a project going?

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Yeah man good idea

[@JuicyStudios.]

What are the names of those example frames from different documentaries from netflix? Doesn anyone know some names for reference?

[@leescooking]

You are so talented, and your videos are so inspiring. Love them. thank you. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thank you Lee that’s so kind. I’m really glad this content is helping!

[@Theaaronchris]

Can you hear me know! Love this content bro. We need a video on editing and sound design now because a well shot video with bad editing is still a bad video. I can’t find anyone online that breakdown cinematic sound design.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

I got you bother

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

I got you man!

[@Theaaronchris]

@@Alexzarfatifilms thanks bro!

[@IkennaVisuals]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! Once again an amazing and super interesting video Alex, learned a lot!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome Ikenna hope your doing well brother🙌🏻

[@IkennaVisuals]

@@Alexzarfatifilms , That's all you Alex! And I'm doing good my brother, thank you for asking. I hope you are doing even better! :)

[@mexicanfireopals5542]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW amazing video, a great topic!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MrPolarBear_]

Great video. Also when will you be announcing the give away winner

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

The Winner will be announced in July

[@Dano-Media]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!? This was a dope video by the way. How do you have enough time to work on videography/DP jobs while also creating so many quality KZbin videos? How long does it take you to edit? Thanks for all your content, been loving your channel.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks man I appreciate it, the answer is not a lot of sleep lol and I try to keep a very low overhead so I could focus on growing the channel as much as possible. Eventually, the goal is to just make documentaries and do the KZbin channel until then the answer is less sleep 🤣

[@Dano-Media]

@@Alexzarfatifilms hahaha fair enough, respect!

[@dominiquecl871]

Honestly I was wondering the same thing. This man is a man of action! And we can all see that. Keep up the hustle

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

@@dominiquecl871 🙏🏻

[@Blood4Mercy717]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! Amazing video. Thank you for the insight.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Any time my man

[@ostuffOfficial]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! I want it so bad. I wasn’t to start filming and stuff, I really enjoy it. But I’m only 11… not much money. Up to you :)

[@konstantinmuller4081]

Where can i watch your documentations?

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

I was a producer and composer on Westside Vs the world witch should be on Amazon. Right now @lawofthegoat they’re on KZbin

[@antiguacapilla]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Thanks for this informative video. I'll be back for more!!

[@evergreen1289]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW Really interesting video , keep it up!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thank you brother 🙏🏻

[@bivashchaudhuri4]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! (please) bro I'm really into film making but as a beginner it's really hard doing all the research and put everthing together, can you maybe make a video on step by step ways from story writting to screen writting till editing, that would be a great help to me and to a lot of aspiring film enthusiasts who wanna preserve our rich history of making films as HUMANS

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Lol this is a great comment and I’ll see what I can do brother🙌🏻

[@every_1s_bff]

Thanks for all your info! Can you hear me now!

[@DACProVid]

Great video and excellent advice.. Thanks again for your content. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?

[@jasonme577]

Can you hear me now? Love your videos!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks Jason

[@vidakalifa]

Where can I find the script?

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Here’s the link to the video: How To Write An Effective Documentary Script kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5LbnoBjaKZ2btU

[@vidakalifa]

@@Alexzarfatifilms thank you 🙏 btw really good content!

[@FudbalStar]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! Great channel. Thanx for help me to bee better !

[@hendricobekker1469]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW Great video... hope I'm not too late for entry.

[@EvanBoehler]

Can you hear me now? well done video

[@georgewoolf6300]

Can You Hear Me Now Thanks for the great content.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Thanks George! 🙌🏻

[@tomruckes562]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?! Great Video, Thank you so much ✌

[@gowuadventures]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW Good information that I can use right now in my current project.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

That’s awesome. Glad this helps! And good luck on your project.

[@LeonardRafaelsen]

i love your content, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!!!!!

[@naturalgeographic4891]

Can You Hear Me Now? Hello, from Mumbai, India. I've been working on my first documentary, The Kite Feeder, shooting and editing it with my Redmi Note 8 Phone for my KZbin channel Natural Geographic. Thanks. 🙂❤️🙏

[@schoeferfilm]

I love to make documentaries too 😅🎥 CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

[@churasiproductions]

"CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!"

[@alegretinho6899]

Can you hear me now! you hear me now hear me now me now now own the moment

[@martindeleon9863]

What people don’t realize is that Netflix uses a lot of scripting for their documentary interviews to help build the story. It’s based on facts (most of the time) and the producers are really good at coaching the subjects to deliver specific soundbites for that dramatic effect.

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

This is 100% correct, they do a good job but you could always tell

[@SufyaanF]

C A N Y O U H E A R M E N O W !

[@andilenonkwelo6616]

Cam you hear me now

[@Noahl_Yt]

'can you hear me know'

[@sinalozosiwe9399]

Morning , I'm Snalo, from South Africa in Cape Town but original from Eastern Cape Engcobo my town is not far from where Nelson Mandela was Born at . Can i collaborate with you Im doing a documentary currently we trying to tell sorry about Black people in South Africa in Eastern Cape how they used to live back then and currently they live.

[@karimarkuswww]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW! I can still here ya, after six days. Time is such relative.

[@robbieloughery]

Can you hear me now?!

[@CorvisionNetwork]

Can you hear me now !

[@johnp2861]

Can You Hear Me Now!!

[@reyesvisuals8533]

Can You Hear Me Now!

[@is4aclai]

Can you here me now!

[@ianreels]

I'm fairly new to "serious" filmmaking and I'm glad I found your channel a week ago your contents are superb and have been super helpful in my passion-career. The tips and techniques you use are super helpful, especially the pre production process of filming a doc. I just want to sincerely thank you for the quality content you're sharing with us who's just learning and new to the game. Looking forward to binge watch more of your future contents! Thank you for inspiring us filmmakers!🤍 CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Hey Ian, that was an incredible comment. Thank you so much for the kind words. Comments like that is exactly why I started this channel in the first place. To help young and up-and-coming filmmakers grow their skills as fast as possible, and avoid all the mistakes that I made when I was first starting. There’s still so much content on this subject to put out and give to the community and I’m very happy to say that I am chipping away slowly at it. Thanks again for your support and stay tuned I got a lot more where this came from!

[@ianreels]

Awesome! Can't wait to see more from you brother. I'm super excited to see your journey & growth as a filmmaker and as a content creator, inspiring more people🤍

[@konstantinmuller4081]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

[@PhoenixMedia1845]

Can you hear me now

[@VisionsVideography]

can you hear me now

[@jacobharrod69]

probably a bit late but it would be useful, so CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

[@sinalozosiwe9399]

Can you here me now

[@khisaelaine9332]

Can you Hear Me Now

[@jacobmajors]

CAN You Hear Me Now

[@trolis5105]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ! 🥰

[@RogueWolfArtist]

Can you hear me now?

[@hollywoodpreach7895]

Can you hear me now!!!

[@ManuelParodiRamos]

Did you hear me then?

[@bearded_fotog]

Can you here me now?

[@jim-huntercelestin8893]

I know I won't win anything, but hey ! Can you hear me now??

[@DanielJesseLife]

Can you hear me now.

[@cliftonsledge962]

Can you hear me now 😉

[@anjalibaray]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!! ❤❤❤ I want to make one of the best Netflix documentaries ever. If I can’t win a thing, can I win your time?! Just 30 minutes of your time.

[@harshvijaybhaargavh4829]

can you hear me now?

[@underdogproductions1588]

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[@stevierusso945]

😈 *Promo sm*

[@nahomtewodros7998]

can you hear me now please..

[@PixelPoly.]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ?? Even after 11 months of this video. I hope you here me...i would love to have this giveaway 😞

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CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?

[@Drawwithme_2005]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

[@paraskinger6828]

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!

[@marshallartsentertainment3741]

"HOW TO FILM LIKE NETFLIX" 🙄 Netflix doesn't "film" or shoot anything. They distribute. That's it. Stop the misleading clickbait nonsense.

[@InsertCleverUsername]

Yeah, but they're terrible documentaries, they're non-fiction clickbait entertainment. If you think this is high quality documentary filmmaking, you're a poor filmmaker.

[@conradstudios]

Can you hear me now!

[@JuanflimIt]

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[@12th_C]

Can you hear me now

[@VivaLaBronx]

Can you hear me now!?!?

[@SRasheem]

Can you hear me now?