How to Film Dynamic Documentary Scenes (FULL BREAKDOWN)

[@JesseEdgar]

Hey Austin, first off... I've watched a ton of videos regarding documentary filmmaking. Pretty much binged every luc and Mark video and now yours. Of all of the videos I've watched i feel like this video gave us literally the closest thing to real life experience you can possibly get without being there. It was incredibly informative, valuable and also inspirational. So, thank you very very much for putting all this hard work into your craft and then letting us learn from it. Quick idea: I'd absolutely love a video of you answering questions from the comments section. Your responses here are a perfect pairing to the video itself.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Wow, this is so incredibly kind of you to say. Luc and Mark are both inspirations for me with how they share their knowledge so generously. I’m grateful to be following in their footsteps. I’m so glad that you got value out of this video. I will try to do more like this when I have access to share the raw footage next to final results. With your idea, are you thinking of making a video where I go more in depth answering the questions posed in the comments of this particular video?

[@JesseEdgar]

@@austinmeyerfilms I think a simple QA sequel to this video would be fantastic. I read all of the questions and there are some that were very helpful. It would be an easy video to edit up to. 🙂

[@JesseEdgar]

To be more clear... Yes, just a part 2 of this video where you answer questions from the comments. I'd say something like 4 or 5 questions and spend 4 - 5 min on each question. Hope that helps!

[@charliegardnermedia]

You have such a talent for capturing raw moments as they unfold Austin! It’s SO helpful to get be able to peak into your process and to see what it takes to build an emotionally captivating scene. I think, for me, this video solidified the importance of leaning into your instincts when it comes to documentary film.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you, Charlie. I really appreciate it! Absolutely. Once I understood the concepts of filming in this way, it just became a matter of leaning into instincts. Hope you're doing well!

[@jacqueswienicke]

I can only agree with what the others have already said. This was the closest insight to real life verite shooting I have ever gotten from KZbin. Thank you so much! :) And I would love to see more of this! Maybe different types of scenes with different challenges, broken down just like you did 🤷🏼‍♂

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Based on the comments on this video, I’m definitely inspired to do more of these. Just gotta keep cranking out my own docs on top of these videos so that I have access to the raw footage and can showcase the whole process! A lot of times I can’t show the raw footage when I am a hired cinematographer, but that’s why I love working on my own projects so that I can show these pieces

[@DaniyelB]

Thank you for this masterclass in modern-day cinema verite.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed it

[@markleethephotographer]

This was wonderfully executed. Thanks so much for sharing this level of detail. This was so helpful.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@andyupsidedown]

Interesting on many levels for me. I was or maybe tried to be an acrobat for a decade before covid. Seb and Mimi's hand to hand act was a huge inspiration for me doing that, and I believe Shana choreographed that act. I ended up doing most of my training in San Francisco with Master Lu Yi, at the circus center just a couple blocks down the street from the apartment my sister was born in. Now I watch you for tips on getting my own KZbin channel going, so many words colliding in this video. Thanks for showing us all that you do.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Wow, what an amazing overlap of worlds and interests coming together on this one. Thanks for watching! Hope it was fun for you to see. And good luck with your KZbin channel getting going 🙌 rooting for you

[@MonsoonSZN-520]

There's no way you don't reach 100k subscribers by the end of the year. My guess is gonna be 250k but it's gotta be at least 100k you make such great videos man. Thank you!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Wow, that is very kind of you to say. As with anything, I’m sure it will take a long time to get to those kind of numbers. Honestly, I feel like I am just trying to stay ahead of the game enough to get out a video each week that is helpful for folks. But I appreciate the encouragement!

[@EnvisionFilms]

Just started watching your channel, which is quite fantastic. I don’t think I have ever seen a filmmaker reveal their raw footage in such a public way. What a truly courageous, revealing and honest choice. Really unique work! Looking forward to viewing more!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you! Really appreciate this. Hope the channel is helpful!

[@EnvisionFilms]

@ Quick question: As one who films in a similar style, there are often times I miss critical moments or behavior due to covering reactions and aesthetics. Given the unpredictable nature of these situations. Is it challenging for you, as a single shooter to remain still and capture raw behavior in the wide?

[@nathanksimpson]

Wow, I feel like I should be paying for this. A really great tutorial. Amazing. Thanks so much for putting this out.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Haha, thanks for watching!

[@indicreativeofficial]

Hey Austin - Amazing video. I'm leaning more into documentary and cinematography work and this video was immensely helpful. This is about as detailed as one can get in breaking down a doc, and really gave me a lot of tips and practices. Thank you!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for checking it out and for the kind words!

[@FollowTheJohn]

You did an amazing job of explaining the process. Bravo.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you! I really appreciate it

[@rdstudios-production]

Scene approach and planning your in and outs are a great reminder. Do you ever get room tone to help blend your cuts? Really great how you get more coverage by quickly getting your details panning and zooming as it happens - allows them to cut together nicely. Whenever I'm in the editing stage, I'm always like ahhh, why didn't I hold on that longer!? You get fomo thinking there's action happening elsewhere. So, how do you remind yourself of those "next time, I'm going to...." moments?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

For a lot of times the projects I am working on, we’re in and out of rooms pretty quick, so I am not getting room tone. But if you have time for it and you’re thinking more ahead than me haha, then it is definitely worth grabbing! And I hear you on the fomo of action. I learn time and time and time again that reaction shots are the things that I never have enough of. So that’s one of those things I have to keep reminding myself of. And when it comes to keeping those reminders, I have no system haha. Just try my best to remember and do better than I did the previous time

[@rdstudios-production]

@ yep we’re all in it. Thanks for your insights, keep reaching and teaching. 🫡

[@rdstudios-production]

@@austinmeyerfilms have low profile solution for those Sony UWP lav mics? So dang bulky….

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@rdstudios-production I replaced the stock lav mics that the UWP came with for the Sanken COS 11D lav mics. Haven't regretted that purchase for a second

[@kevinkeogh9272]

This is incredibly helpful so I suggest you do an entire series! 😊 Also, I've got a question; Have you any advice on how to treat an arc whereby one of the major changes in the story has already occurred. For example, I'm in preparation for filming a film about a group of refugees who arrived in a community and who became active agents of change within that community. I have two characters but I don't want to focus exclusively on talking head and b-roll content. I will be filming and directing scenes and part of me feels that these parallel narratives will reveal some truths about the characters and thus influence the direction of the story. I've multiple avenues to explore but it's aligning these to tell a cohesive story that I find most challenging. Please excuse the long post. Yours gratefully, Kev.

[@scottievee330]

So happy to see how not afraid to tackle life you are. Not afraid to film everything without bias. Let it happen without effecting the story. You are just there for information gathering.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you! Really appreciate that. Observational documentaries are the style I love. Both as someone who watches docs as a fan and as someone who makes them. I love the challenge

[@card-joker5301]

Hello Austin, I’m incredibly grateful for these kinds of insights! I’m not yet far along in my reportage career, and I often struggle with deciding how long to hold certain shots and scenes. It’s really helpful to see how other people work! Maybe you could also make a video about how a “story” and the dramatic arc of a documentary can be structured? Many greetings from Germany!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching. Really happy that you got value from it. Story structure is something I love to talk about, so I will definitely do that. I have a couple videos on the channel about story structure already, so make sure to check those out too!

[@CDStudios]

This is really really great stuff! Thank you for sharing! Super helpful!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@tubekane]

Great video, thank you for producing this. Some wonderful ides that I will definitely use in my next doc.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Happy I could help. Good luck on your projects!

[@Rubenkenui]

very impressed with you videos . this video is what I needed to refresh my filming skills . keep up the good work. I'm a solo filmmaker and love when I find creators that motivate me . Thank you for all your hard work. one thing I learned as a filmmaker is I'll always be learning . my problem is I get too excited when I get to the scene .. I make a shot list and plan my shots but when I get there its almost like I forget everything and just shoot lol

[@austinmeyerfilms]

One of my improv mentors once told me, “Prepare so that you can improvise.” And I love that. So I don’t think your intuition is wrong. Plan, prepare. And then let instinct guide you in the moment

[@jujujay]

Super thanks for sharing such in depth information and details - I’m new to filming and doing some interviews for my social network KZbin including and always learning by doing and the editing on premiere pro. I watched this video till the end and picked up a few tips so thanks for this… I’m working on a new project now and hope to try a few of your good tips. Please keep sharing as now I’m following…

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful and I’m excited to hear more about what you’re creating

[@norafilm6326]

Hi and thank you alot! Not only for this video, but all the others I've watched since I found your channel. I appreciate your down to earth way, and your educational ability. Probably one of the best videos in its category. A breath of fresh air in the middle of this sea of ​​similar channels on KZbin. Greetings from Sweden :)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Greetings from California! Thank you so much for this encouragement. Really appreciate you checking out the channel and letting me know that it’s been helpful for you. That feedback keeps me goin!

[@norafilm6326]

@@austinmeyerfilms You should do a course! Like Paddy Bird in "Inside The Edit", but in your own way :)

[@Jota-kx2uc]

Thank you for walking us through this. Really interesting and practical! :)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Of course! Thanks for watching

[@bradyconner6085]

This is the video I have been waiting for! Thank you very much.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

You’re welcome! Will have to do some more of these 🙌

[@metabugs7702]

excellent edit, love the running gun style

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks!

[@NKRDBL]

Thank you for your sharing! You cover a very related topic for me! I always struggle when making shot decisions in this type of situations. Your insights helps a lot!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Awesome! So glad this was helpful

[@tomrivas3584]

I was at Spring Lake earlier today taking a walk around the lake. Lol. I saw the music video footage and said that place looks very familiar. I really like the way you explain things. I'm interested in learning how to film documentaries and your a good teacher. I received an AA at the SRJC in Digital Film Making a few years ago and soon will be transferring to Sonoma State. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. You're videos are very helpful!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Heyyyy Sonoma County in the house 🙌 I bet Spring Lake was beautiful today with the warm sunshine we’ve been having. Good eye on the music video. Thanks for watching and I look forward to hearing about what kind of docs you start filming!

[@Bruces-Garage]

Wow. This was great insight. Thanks for sharing.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@svecphoto_com]

love it!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you!

[@gracecinematic65]

Thanks for sharing this Austin educational verite experience.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Of course! Thanks for watching

[@LarryEberhard]

Austin, Did you request everyone fill out a release form prior to any recording? Or, did you wait until you had gotten all of your shots before getting the release forms taken care of? I am asking because I am getting ready to film a day at a location that it is hard to predict who will interact with the main character. Thanks!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

That’s a great question. For this project in particular we didn’t get release forms because everything we were filming at the time was just for internal pitch purposes. But it would have been pretty simple to get them ahead of time because we knew most of who would be interacting with the main character. But I had the situation you are describing happen to me yesterday. What I do is I use an app called Adobe Fill & Sign and have my release forms there on my phone. So after I film my characters coming into the orbit of someone, I will approach them, describe the project, and get them to sign the release on my phone. And on the release form I will note the date and who it was (what they looked like or what they did in the scene) so that I don’t forget. Hope that helps!

[@JimMakosCom]

This was simply unbelievable and invaluable! One question: did you film on the 24-105 or the 24-70 lens? Thank you so much for spending the time on this.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks Jim! It’s been a while since I filmed this, so I am not 100% sure, but if I had to guess, I’d guess the 24-105 just based on what the zoom looked like. But I am not totally sure

[@ZENGESTV]

Thank you very much Buddy, can you also do a video on how you expose slog and how you colorgrade it please? Thank you

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Absolutely. It would be a pretty simple video (I don’t overcomplicate things or worry about perfection), but I’m happy to make it if people are interested!

[@ZENGESTV]

@@austinmeyerfilms yes please,

[@andreaceccarelli6674]

Hi Austin, congratulations for all the outreach work you do. In the case of documentaries, do you always work in 4K and deliver in HD or is the request 4K also for delivery? Greetings from Italy. 😃

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Most outlets I work for ask for an HD delivery. My most recent editorial clients like the Washington Post and Business Insider, and even a commercial client like the NY Stock Exchange, all ask for HD delivery

[@Lestorytellers]

Hey Austin, Thank yyou for this awsome behind de scene of your workflow. It's very interesting to shadow you in your process. My biggest concern when i shoot is knowing when to cut. it's hard to keep filming when you have to think storage at the end :)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Haha I hear you on that. Storage can add up quickly and get expensive. Pick your spots. I just wouldn’t want you to be filming a really critical scene for your story and worrying about storage. If it’s really critical, lean on the side of rolling more and cutting less. Then in other, less crucial moments, be more selective on when you keep the camera rolling

[@robfrombrooklyn]

Thanks bro ima make a hour long documentary about wins and losses off the inphone

[@timdanyo898]

Love this! I tell my clients I’m capturing b-roll, but more then not I’m looking to set up scenes.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Nice! Yeah, I feel like it can be hard to really understand the difference unless you actually make docs, so telling a client that is probably smart to not get them bogged down in terminology. I’m sure you deliver great results, and that is what matters to them

[@LouisLuzuka]

Thank you 😮

[@SFdulden]

Hi! I don't see the list of documentaries that you suggested.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Oops! Forgot to copy that in there. Just did it! Thanks for the reminder

[@LouisLuzuka]

do you take a room tone every time you film or just at the beginning ? and how long do you record audio for room tone?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Not every time. Things usually move too fast in and out of spaces to always grab room tone. But if I do, I’ll try my best to grab 30 seconds of silence (I do this more regularly in interviews than I do during scenes)

[@robinprobyn1971]

what lens did you use sir ?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

It’s been a while since I filmed this, so I am not sure.. but, I would guess that I filmed this on the Sony 24-105 f4. Potentially also the Sony 24-70 f2.8

[@ChasityHodge-i3e]

lol your "scrappy" edit would be my best work... gotta keep practicing

[@austinmeyerfilms]

I feel the same way when I look at some other doc filmmakers too. So I am right there with ya just tryin to get a little better day by day

[@simpleObserver100]

Thank you for the video! Much appreciated! My question is: what resolution do you usually shoot at? If you are rarely cutting then you must have alot of storage.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

For all these KZbin videos I shoot in 1080. But for important doc work I usually shoot in 4k. Filming observational style docs like this example does take a lot of storage. The ratios of how much you film to how much you use can be a lot. A lot of my work is as a cinematographer and I just pass off the footage to the director, so I don’t keep them all on my hard drives. But for the work that I am directing/shooting/editing, I just buy the hard drives necessary to store everything

[@darrenbrownphotography]

Great to see this angle? How often do you find yourself travelling for work like this? I live in Ottawa, which is just "down the road" from Montreal.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Awesome! I don't travel a ton, but it definitely is a part of the job. I've been to Canada a few times!

[@bobkrist1]

Super useful analysis and instruction, thank you. Would it be easier to maintain continuity on a situation like the first meeting scene if you had a small b-cam, a small Sony or something on a tripod and locked down on an overall shot to cutaway to? You occasionally get caught in the overall view as you move around, but there's usually enough clean overall footage. When I do something like this with only one camera, I get myself wrapped up in a lot of continuity problems. I work with smaller gear than you do, and I'm older and slower moving than you:-), but I find it easier to have a wide shot to always cut back to. The edit you showed looked great, though.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Glad it was useful! Having a small b-cam on a wide could be another great strategy for a scene like that. There are probably a few reasons why I didn’t opt for that here (likely due to not wanting to take the time to set up extra gear, size of the room, and it not being a vital scene for the story where I can’t miss something). I appreciate you sharing this strategy though, because in some scenarios it can be great!

[@dustmote3020]

@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks for this Austin! Very useful for me, and I really like how you manage a run and gun situation like this. Like Bob, I have also used a b-cam in this type of situation to get a wide shot of the room, just using a gopro mounted high up and shooting in 4k so I can punch in or do a slow zoom in post. The gopro is just point and shoot so it doesn't really add a lot of complexity to the shoot, you just have to remember to retrieve it when you are done!

[@NKRDBL]

Thinking about b-cam too! But not for a wide shot (because it will be hard not to get into frame) but for mid shot of main character for example

[@NKRDBL]

Bravo sir!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks!

[@LouisLuzuka]

I'm a little confused do you have another camera stationary getting the whole scene? or do you just have one camera and you're floating between the conversation? because honestly it looks like you have so many cameras and angles going

[@austinmeyerfilms]

One camera and floating in these examples

[@LouisLuzuka]

how do you get over the guilt or the self sabotage feeling like.... I missed this shot or I could've gotten this shot or something better? I felt that way filming my engagement proposal because I had to pre-set and now that I look back I would've done a lot differently

[@austinmeyerfilms]

It’s definitely a feeling that comes up. I just try to remember that I’m never going to be perfect and that I chose a genre such as doc filmmaking because it’s imperfect. Also, I try to remember that 1.) I am trying my best. So there is not much more I can do and 2.) if there is nothing I can do to change the fact that I missed something or did something wrong, then what is the use of obsessing over it? It can’t be changed. It’s wasted energy. Learn the lesson for next time, and get back at it

[@LouisLuzuka]

@ you’re right thank you so much im surprised we share similar feelings but that’s what learning is for, and prep can help but not cure everything as something always is bound to happen

[@AkimDirectorOfPhotography]

Question for you Austin : when you're following your main character and other people show up (like around the dining table), do you get them (at the end) sign an agreement to be filmed, or how do you handle this? Akim

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Answered this question in depth in the video I posted this week!

[@AkimDirectorOfPhotography]

@@austinmeyerfilms Yep I watched it. Thanks!

[@NVO2K24]

davinci or adobe software ? which is future for flim production

[@austinmeyerfilms]

I would guess Adobe Premiere if you’re looking at the next 10 years. They are just so far ahead and entrenched in the production world. But I could see Davinci continuing to take market share over time. Seems like an innovative product/team

[@NVO2K24]

@@austinmeyerfilms i just start learning davinci resolve and ant to continue my jurney with davinci resolve .its a good dessision or bad?

[@Primary-Technologies]

When you’re going hand held, I assume you’re using false color to nail exposure. Does your camera have false color or do you use an external monitor? Thanks!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

I actually rarely use false color. I will occasionally use false color when I am filming interviews and have an external monitor plugged in. But these days, for run & gun, handheld style docs, the FX6 monitor doesn't even have false color. So I just go based on what I am seeing in the monitor, plus keeping an eye on the waveform monitor

[@Primary-Technologies]

@@austinmeyerfilms Are you satisfied with the focus peaking on the FX6? I'm thinking about getting one. Thanks again for sharing your process with us, super helpful!!!!!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

​@ I am satisfied with it!

[@Primary-Technologies]

@ thanks man!!!!!

[@NVO2K24]

i am from bangladesh and want to be a documentary flimmaker like business insider video type.please create video about full roadmap .

[@wildpatagoniafilms16]

Very cool man! So I guess you don't mic the rest of the ppl except the 'main" character of the story but still you use the sound from them even if is not super clean/clear as the main....? Also: do you still follow the 180 degree rule when it comes to this way of shooting. I'd love to see how you shoot a docu when it comes to more ;outdoor/adventure/nature" theme. ;). great post mate! thanks for sharing!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching. Oftentimes I have two people mic'd up, but in these examples I just had one because for the doc pitch we were really just focused on that one main character. Oftentimes when I film scenes I will mic up the main character first and then I may ask, "Who else do you expect to contribute a lot in this conversation? Or I pick someone else who is relevant to the story to mic. But I"m always good with using audio even if it isn't crisp and super clean/clear. Docs are messy and imperfect, and I love that about the form

[@andreaceccarelli6674]

@@austinmeyerfilms in similar situations with people at the table I often put a hidden lavalier in the center. so I don't have to worry about necessarily framing the one who speaks from the beginning. I have the same equipment as you, cameras and microphones🙃

[@scrow9]

Do you ever use multiple lavalier mics?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

All the time! I usually am running my own sound and have 2 lav mics going directly into my FX6

[@Primary-Technologies]

Do you put warp stabilization on all or most of your clips? Thanks! Also, I’m assuming you’re using manual focus pulling for most things?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

I hardly ever use warp stabilizer. For all the clips in my case study here I was on a tripod. And then when I am handheld, I usually like the handheld shake! I oscillate between manual and auto focus. I’d say I spend more time in manual. But the eye tracking auto focus is so damn good these days that if I just have one face in frame, I’m happy to use auto. When I film interviews I use auto all the time. Thanks for watching!

[@Primary-Technologies]

@ thanks so much. I’m realizing the verite style is so much more immersive. Love your content!!!

[@scrow9]

Yes I'm also curious as to how you approach focus - auto, manual or both?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@scrow9 I will put that topic in the idea folder for a video! Thank you

[@sorensvendsencom]

@@austinmeyerfilms do you ever use a monopod? In scenes like this I think it’s faster .. and almost as steady. I struggle to use/adjust the tripod fast.

[@jaxHeitChurchOfChristSer-me5el]

if I'm under standing you make a loose out line of needed cut aways.

[@louie8488]

10 videos later, all packed with very useful tips and refreshers, Austin has unfortunately used the term "pan" in place of "tilt" at 16:58 :( ... unsubscribed at reported

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Don’t forget to block me too!!

[@louie8488]

@@austinmeyerfilms 😄 great vids tho brother, keep em comin