Documentary Filmmaking Tips // How to Hook Your Audience

Find out more about Storyblocks here: storyblocks.com/kylemcdougall
Part two of this series where I'm doing a breakdown of my approach to creating character-driven documentary films. In this video, I'm talking about ways that you can structure the story and edit to keep your audience watching.
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DISCLAIMER
Some of the links above are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you click on the link and purchase an item. The money I earn helps me make this type of content consistently.

[@AanchalChaturvedi]

The intro - impactful and sense of curiosity, a hint or hook story specific - in a short time span 45 sec to 1 min -dont plan something just stay authentic Middle - conflict or main message, don't drag out too much - give your audience credit, not spoon feeding - history plus conflict -main message The end -resolve conflict -reintroduce conflict -or both

[@lkkvisual]

This video just inspired me to do something out of my comfort zone. Before passing the 3-minute mark I had already contacted three of my closest friends and started planning our first project. I appreciate filmmakers like you. Thank you. This had to be fate.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers. Happy to hear that.

[@ThisRoscoe]

Good luck on your project!

[@ndbryant9289]

I've watched this over 20xs now. This is an easy 20 min watch. You do an amazing job 👏.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you so much

[@lifeisgood5026]

I am an aspiring documentary filmmaker and have been scouring the internet for a style that resonates with me. I'm pretty sure I finally found it after watching your "How to hook your audience" piece. 99% of youtube documentary tutorials basically demonstrate the "traditional" interview style. Not that engaging. I can really relate to how you tell your story. You invite the viewer in with well executed images along with sound design that compliments and supports the theme of your piece. I love your use of voiceover. I come from a photographer's background, so the learning curve for final cut pro has not been too steep. The areas I need to learn will be color correcting and sound design. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@thegenerousthief]

Really enjoyed this man! Beautiful shots, storytelling and breakdown of your process. Thanks for creating & sharing this.

[@yugenfocus]

Just coming back to this video to say that the sound design, interview sound quality and the mix from nat sound, a-roll and SFX is..... ~chef's kiss~

[@aaronmackenzie4548]

I always use the term “Motivated Incident” this is what starts the character reveal point, structure. This is what starts the story from a normal beginning. Into a point of referance. The beginning of the hero’s journey…. Great work in this idea.

[@nickpontoski]

Your cinematography is stunning. So natural, but interesting.

[@redstoneranger1404]

Hello Kyle - Thank you a lot for this great video! It doesn't happen that often that I watch a 20 minutes video on YT from beginning to end. Like your style and the quality of your work is outstanding.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed this one.

[@EstephaniaLeBaron-Rios]

This was fantastic! Thank you for the input on your process. I am currently working on a film. This was very helpful. I know I will be watching it again.

[@VictorzPhoto]

Great video, thanks for sharing your experience and konwledge. Your work is just so amazing!

[@Tom-Humble]

Love this series. It may not receive the most views compared to some of your other videos but for people like myself still learning film making it’s immensely beneficial. Really appreciate you sharing you film making knowledge for free!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Tom. Glad you connected with this one!

[@BooyaJoe]

Really awesome video so far. Talk about "hooks". I'm only 5:24 in and I just subbed. Also realized this is part two so stopping to watch park one first. And then I'm going to binge your Vimeo! Thank you for sharing this knowledge and experience with us!

[@leocaserta3170]

dude. Amazing video chalk full of helpful information. A great way to kick off my editing session, thank you!

[@vincenzopaldino5905]

i feel like theres so much respect for the art in whatever you do, whether its filmmaking or photography. truly incredible stuff. shouts out from toronto!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Vincenzo! Really apprecaite that.

[@natewessel8385]

Love this video and i love love love your style. And your approach to storytelling. Real and raw and authentic. Thank you for making this video thank you for sharing this with us.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you so much!!

[@ross1ful]

Outstanding presentation!! Glad I came across this video, subscribed!

[@chocolateanddutchy]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It gives me a lot of inspiration to make better documentaries. There is so much information in this video alone!

[@aftabrathore]

I visited first time on your channel, Kyle. And you know what I found, this very insightful and motivating for me as a beginner filmmaker. Thank you so much for this precious experience you shared with us.

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed this and found it helpful.

[@sarahdippity]

I was so excited to see this title ... just the film I was hoping you'd make, Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Sarah. Hope you enjoy this one.

[@g5photographyoutdoors763]

Really enjoyed your insight on filmmaking!!

[@DogsandFilm]

Also something important that you did in this video portraits is the sound design. The voice of each character are interesting, it tells something about each one and the sounds you put to create an atmosphere, to communicate a feeling or to transport people to that place. Amazing work Kyle! I'm very excited to see next part and all your future work. Un abrazo desde México!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks so much! And yes, sound is just as important as the visuals.

[@joseelement7695]

These were wonderful. Thank you. (Since you asked) I'd love to hear about your approach to lighting. Everything feels motivated, and nothing is over-lit, or showy....beautiful looking images, that really add to these stories.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Jose. I'll keep that in mind for a future video!

[@brittacurkovic]

This is wonderful and I love your work… thank you!!

[@andreathode3782]

Awesome video! Awesome filming! Great stuff, really.

[@MERCYFRANK]

As a mini docu producer for hradnews on TV, this is helpful. Now, I know how to use the principles to make a great story. Thank you for this great content

[@danielcharlesfilms2897]

Excellent and invaluable information. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this and teach us.

[@KyleMcDougall]

My pleasure!

[@bluedun9816]

Thrilled I found this, I've been struggling with the story/characters for a doc I am working on, this cleared out some of the uncertainty. I doubt have the whole story but I you provided a lot of clarity in my effort to begin shooting finally. Thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers.

[@RobinBli]

Definitely hooked me on this, love it!

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

Hi Kyle, just watched this again. Am looking forward to your next video in this series!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

Such a great, helpful video. You are really good at what you do, Kyle.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. 🙏

[@MatthewLeland]

Real question: I’ve watched 25 different creators on here and while so much gear was mentioned, NONE of you told us those dad hats are crucial to film making.

[@Elassyahmed]

They are. Masters wear bucket hats, but none of them are on KZbin

[@1297139]

20 min video packed with a lifetime of knowledge. Many thanks for this!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@irgendwas745]

very enjoyed this episode. thank you! just wanted to leave this message

[@arhon888]

Really inspiring, thank you for sharing.

[@trinimedia19]

Excellent information and I love the storytelling.

[@gws_productions5170]

The video is awesome and the documentary's are superb. Thanks a lot

[@vivid-efx]

Inspiring! Especially for someone like myself with a lot of ideas of stories I want to tell, but also a lot of excuses why I haven't

[@ethnicwire]

looks amazing, been following you re GFX camera.. thanks for these posts.

[@noblecopy2200]

Excellent work. Lots of great information. Thanks.

[@lesterkdmedia]

ahhhhh this is goin be my go to!!! so inspiring!! 🙏 thank you

[@SeverinWerner]

SO SO helpfull! Thank you really much! I am at the start of filming my first documentary and you are really helping me out to plan my first steps, so thank you so much for that. Your videos are very much appreciated!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Severin! Glad you enjoyed this one. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions in the future.

[@sam.oates_]

This is an absolute master class. Thank you sir! Soooo much value in this ♥️

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@latrastiendameza1408]

This was so amazing. Thanks for the lessons

[@user-np5rt5zl8d]

ahhhhh this is goin be my go to!!! so inspiring!! thank you

[@haydenbrown7546]

Love these- thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. :)

[@chriseyrewalker]

Loved this! Thanks for sharing.

[@studiosoul]

This was so good. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience. Besides your storytelling skills, I very much love your images - they're really beautiful and emotive. Just subscribe - Look forward to watching more of your videos and work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kevintremblay2372]

Your films are inspiring. Keep doing what you are doing! Thank you

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate that.

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

Wow. So happy to have found your video (and channel) 🙌 I’d seen your Sigma short a couple of months ago and was really moved by its sensibility. By all means, more production & storytelling videos would be wonderful.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that Mikel. Glad you enjoyed the film! Thanks for watching.

[@santiagomancino34]

Amazing Kyle, thanks!

[@heroaomedia]

Your documentary guide content is fantastic. Have you thought about doing more of it?

[@marcoeisenbarth4452]

What a great video. PResent in an honest and humble way. thank you for this!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@thefoodoffice]

Thanks for sharing, great storytelling!

[@jennifergrainger2480]

Wow, loved this and beautifully done.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Jennifer!

[@clemkwizombe435]

as an aspiring documentary filmmaker this video is very insightful. Thanks for sharing this knowledge

[@JoelLager]

Very good video. Would love to see a video about breaking down the planning as well. How to get the people to want to be in a documentary, shotlist, voice-over etc. How much is just capturing the moment versus a planned shot?

[@arminsalchner]

this is really great and so helpful for me as an absolute beginner... thank you for that

[@Webrisernl]

I just found this video as i' am looking for help making a documentry I like to make. And wow I love the story, grading and sound!

[@strophotoandvideo3365]

Awesome! Thank you for making this video. I am working on a project that is near to me about veterans. The information you have provided is great!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielsalij]

Great! Thank you very much for sharing this.

[@jameldecasseres8638]

This was great. Thank you so much for sharing. SUBSCRIBED!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed. Cheers.

[@bigbennbusteryep6091]

love your shots, you have an awesome eye

[@exoticcarlife2904]

The audio and sound design on your films is impeccable

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. 🙏

[@exoticcarlife2904]

@@KyleMcDougall any insight on how you approach it?

[@ivanlondon]

Thanks for the tips! And brilliant cinematography! Any chance of a video on your colour grading process?

[@RideAlongAdventures]

Wow. Don’t even know where to start. This is one of the best how to videos. Ever. Thank you for sharing this.

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers.

[@deantaylor5893]

Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

[@alexandruciochia8513]

Beautiful, powerful, inspyiring and useful! Thank you! I wonder if you would like to talk about the way you approach the lighting of your sets in the context of the documentary film. I think that, besides the story, besides the way you choose your characters and your contexts and besides the sound design of your films, the way you use the light is crucial. I would also love to see some videos on how you color grade your films and about the way you work with the subjects/characters to get them to talk the way they talk and to say the insightful things that they are saying. How long you spend with these people to observe them. How much staging is in your documentaries. Also, how you decide when to shoot slomo? What FPS you use? There are lots of questions, I know. But they are all signs of appreciation for your work both as a youtuber and cinematographer!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate the kind words! I will keep all of that in mind for a future video. I will say though, that when it comes to lighting, I prefer to use natural light as much as possible. I find staging things too much can have an impact on your subject and how they talk/act.

[@HAIRMEEZ]

Great Video, Very Informative Thank you

[@TheThinFrame]

Amazing series! I want more! Keep it up

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@tylerhuttosmith]

That was really informative! Thank you!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Tyler!

[@visufilms8084]

Wow. Cant understand why it took me more than a year to see this. Beautiful, inspiring and informative. Where can I see this full documentaries? They seem AWESOME.

[@SinaFarhat]

That was great! :) Keep up the good work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks.

[@FrederickFNNoronha]

Really nice. Learning from your work, in Goa, India.

[@saidu_th]

Awesome content bro❤️

[@AtomicPixel]

Really love this series, my man! Super informative and your work is just art. So beautifully done. These tips are great for any video work just for the story telling. Thanks for sharing and PS. You're in Ontario as well? Keep up the solid work! Oh, and do you have luts for sale that you use on your videos/documentaries? Love the look -Tuan

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this. No LUTS for sale, my process is a combination of grading manually and other creative luts from third parties.

[@dannoringer]

I like that you show while you tell. It might also be useful to abstract what you are doing with a diagram, but your word descriptions are pretty good for sure. Nice video.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Dan. I appreciate that!

[@dannoringer]

@@KyleMcDougall When I watch a YT video that speaks to me, I like to complete the dialog.

[@georgepanago4513]

Thanks Kyle!

[@CRUZFILMS.]

amazing video , thank you for your knowledge and breaking down the structures .I have some more questions making the story. first , how did you find the nuclear war Man? how did you approach him? and when you were interviewing him, did you know what story you wanted to publish? or did it change while interviewing him? I am glad found your channel

[@mcgreevs24]

Loved this and love the channel. Subscribing now!

[@eifionjones8513]

Great work! Enjoyed this a lot. Subbed 👍

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed. Cheers!

[@rionezra]

Your docs are beautiful

[@KyleHenry]

Really enjoyed this!! More content like this please!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers Kyle!

[@marekjasy]

Great video! More please!

[@alexemm]

A lovely insight into your processes with telling the stories of your documentaries, Kyle. I'd really be interested in the potential of seeing all the stuff that happens in the planning stages, if possible? The site visits, the shotlists, the storyboarding, etc... or what you do otherwise. I'm still formulating how to go about all of this and am a simple person at heart, wanting to make it simple for myself as a one-man-band (so to speak). Nonetheless, any insights of any nature will always be most appreciated by myself and I'm sure many others too.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Absolutely. That's something I can touch on in a future video. I often work as a one man band as well, or with one other person helping me. I like to keep things as natural for the subject as possible while filming, and not be too intrusive. That even includes not trying to direct them too much, and just letting things unfold naturally while being ready to capture what you need. As soon as you ask someone to do something (ie. walk from here to there and pick up that) they no longer do it as they normally would... they start thinking about their movements and things become unnatural. Anyways, just a note, but I can definitely touch on some more in a future video.

[@alexemm]

@@KyleMcDougall thanks so much for that tip too! It's the boundaries of how to engage authentically without coersion I'm struggling with right now. I know that once I gain confidence in myself not treading on toes, I'll be fine, but this is gold! Thanks so much for your generosity with us all, Kyle.

[@Unitedpersona]

good job very informative!

[@bobkrist1]

These are excellent tutorials, thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you like them!

[@yourbuddyaj]

Excellent video! Your video about documentaries made us want to watch your documentaries.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@yourbuddyaj]

@@KyleMcDougall No, thank you for the time and effort you put into this for total strangers! Cheers!

[@jasonlight8813]

Wow, I stumbled across your channel and what a joy this video was to watch. This is by far the best video on documentary filmmaking, beautifully complimented with very differnt examples. I love your style of filmmaking. Where can I see more of your work?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Jason. I have a few films on Vimeo as well.

[@jasonlight8813]

@@KyleMcDougall thanks, I'll check them out

[@Profmorphious123]

Thank you for this vid.

[@user-yz9rx9id3v]

Love this

[@rovbie]

Would love to see some production stuff as well! This was great.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Robbie. Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@theprofila]

@Kyle McDougall , Really enjoyed this video, I like your style. Your sound design is excellent. HOW DO YOU DO IT?

[@maxgitaarman]

Amazing series!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Max!

[@taxidermycoach5847]

I loved this, great job! Is there a part three?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Not yet!

[@randyreboberton6263]

Thank you Kyle McDougall 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers!

[@vyethfilms173]

keep up the good work!

[@wearyourjeans]

this is perfect .

[@glincapierrelouis]

Amazing sound design to keep viewers in the suspense ! Where I can see the full documentary please ?

[@samuelbabarinde]

This is educative 💪