How I make a Documentary by myself | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING

In this video on documentary filmmaking I'll share with you how I make a documentary completely by myself.
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For the past year I’ve been making short documentaries all by myself. I do the research, the filming, the editing and this was something that at first I thought it would just be impossible for me to do without any help. Documentary filmmaking it's really challenging, specially when doing everything by yourself. But there are some things I've learned that make the entire process easier for me.
I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you the process behind my videos from finding a subject until the final edit.
This is how i make a documentary by myself.
What I learned making a documentary by myself: • What I Learned Making ...
🎥 Documentaries I show on this video:
Parkour: Behind Every Jump - • Parkour: Behind Every ...
HIV Positive - • ''I'm HIV Positive'' |...
Victim of Modern Slavery - • ''I was a Victim of Mo...
The Scars of a Battle - • The Story of a Battle ...
Haunted by Trauma - • Surviving Trauma - a l...
Worth saving: living on the streets - • The day I became homel...
EPOCH is a project focused on sharing intimate and inspiring stories of people, through the form of short documentaries/films.
🎵 Where I get the Music for my films:
Artlist - artlist.io/EPOCH-1861976
🔰 You can also follow on:
Instagram: / epochstories
Facebook: / epoch.dm
Humano Instagram: / humanobyepoch
✉️ Do you have a story you would like to share?
Email: [e-mail]
❤️ Get access to more videos and support my work:
/ epochdm
Thank you for watching!
#documentary #documentaryfilmmaking

[@epochstories]

4:26 My brain was so dead 😂 What did you think about this one? Let me know if you would like more videos where I share some things I've been learning with documentaries :)

[@najrenchelf2751]

EPOCH, I’d be interested. Hope you’re doing well!

[@epochstories]

Thank you Naj! I hope you're well too!

[@guiltypleasure1939]

Muito fixe! Was awaiting for this video and as predicted, I wasn't disappointed. =) I liked seeing how methodical you are from beginning to end and the struggle with the end product. Which documentary you made is your favourite one and/or gave you the most pleasure of making?

[@epochstories]

@@guiltypleasure1939 Muito obrigado :) That's a hard one for me. But I think the one I'm most proud of is Márcio's story. This because of a variety of reasons: - it was quite different from what I used to make, and so more challenging - I also didn't know anything about parkour and it was super fun to see and experience it - I loved to meet the community and see how supportive they all were - I also felt that my skills as filmmaker were more solid on this one (I always strive to do better each time) - And to film some things I had to put myself in some spots that I wasn't super comfortable with (heights), which was a good experience for me. Nothing dangerous, but I definitely felt my legs weak and shaking a few times haha overall, I love when filming a documentary gives me unique experiences and makes me see things in a different perspective and this one had a lot of it

[@guiltypleasure1939]

@@epochstories I can only imagine how you feel when you travel, since you're afraid of heights XD

[@najrenchelf2751]

A selfmade documentary about making a selfmade documentary... very meta! 😂

[@epochstories]

Hahah I had to do it 😂

[@najrenchelf2751]

EPOCH, I bet you did! 😉

[@3liwat]

Lmgharba Every where 😂

[@ZapR21]

Sigma male detected

[@mr.happyjay]

hi sir are paying your subjects?

[@sarahdippity]

1:25 Research 4:29 Planning 6:01 Filming 7:53 Editing Great doc on how to make a doc! Thank you!

[@theresamelendez4906]

I’ve never made a documentary but I found a story I want to tell. Wish me luck! Thanks for your content!

[@hookem70]

Videos like yours are by far the most helpful to me in my early film making ventures. Videos on gear and technique and editing are all great, but without knowing the overall thought process and how to think about what is happening, they are worthless. Please keep up this kind of real insight to film making.

[@epochstories]

Thank you John! Yeah, I'm not really an expert on gear, I prefer to focus on improving my skills :)

[@EmmanuelPezoa]

I love how you described perfectly the love/hate relationship of THE creative process.

[@RonaldoBeatles]

Hey… I just binged watched your content. It’s just the sort of videos I’ve been looking for as I’m in the middle of “telling my very first story”. Love the standard of your videos and how you portraits your characters… the honesty really comes to life. Parabéns pelo ótimo trabalho. Vou acompanhar seu conteúdo.

[@trainsonplanes709]

That was really interesting, especially about the love hate relationship with the unfinished project

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :) I think that's something that happens in every creative process, definitely a rollercoaster of emotions for me 😅

[@kendraholloway]

Filmmaking is such a process, but I really appreciate how you simplified things in this video. Thank you.

[@epochstories]

It is so messy! haha but I find it super rewarding

[@Dionne_Sheree]

Thank you for sharing your process! Your b roll/cinematography is beautiful and emotive! Continue to be well!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much Dionne !

[@ActiveAlexis]

Yay!! I can’t wait to start making documentary style videos! This helps so much, thank you.

[@epochstories]

I'm glad it helped :) best of luck for your project!

[@lovingreno8650]

I just saw your documentary "The Jump" and it was pure FIRE!!! I'm so inspired right now and feel like I can accomplish something with your direction. Thanks so much for sharing this helpful video.

[@theouttakes6512]

I really appreciate your perspective on a high focus planning and B-roll that's more than just b-roll, and low focus on gear. A colleague and i just released our first feature doc and we learned a lot of these lessons.

[@epochstories]

Yeah and that's really challenging to get for me. Specially in a documentary I believe that the footage needs to speak for itself, and when it does, it really sticks with us. A feature doc? That's amazing. I've never done one. How was the experience?

[@theouttakes6512]

@@epochstories Exactly! I've never understand the double standard with narrative v. Docs. In narrative you're supposed to show, not tell. But so many docs just put random b-roll and music to hide cuts in the interview. It was wild. We covered the 2019 protests in Hong Kong from the front lines. I've done a few interviews, some short, light hearted docs, and plenty of narrative film. I was not prepared for that kind of filming. But we learned/adapted quickly and are super proud of the film.

[@theouttakes6512]

Here is a trailer 🤙: vimeo.com/405332324

[@epochstories]

I completely agree. It's definitely one of the biggest challenges in documentary filmmaking for me. And if you check my earliest videos I used to do the same errors (I even did the cliche travel film haha). But it's good that I'm at least aware of that so I keep on improving. That looks like a very cool experience. Is it available anywhere to watch online? And adapt is the key word there. I've learned so much with documentaries, and the fundamental thing for me is that we constantly need to be able of adapting. As much as we prepare things, things will never go as we expect

[@theouttakes6512]

@@epochstories It is. vimeo.com/405957152 And yes! Being adaptable is vital. And having a solid plan creates a kind of foundation that alows for more freedom to persue something interesting that comes up.

[@stealahb]

thanks for this. been planning to do a documentary and i needed the reminder. appreciate it. thanks for posting.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much Tracy. I'm glad it was helpful

[@pillarsofcreationuk]

Fantastic overview. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences on documentary filmmaking!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@JasmineKaras]

Thank you so much for this really helpful🙏 making a whole docuseries and didn't realize til a year after I started it how important it is to have the story and writing done as detailed as possible before editing, also advice to everyone out there; logging the files before starting anything so It wont be a nightmare if someone else are going to take over after 😁 and for you ofc, . best of luck!

[@siimteppand]

I am in the beginning of my first documentary and your tips are great..i knew all that before what you said but it makes me believe even more that i am on the right track🙂

[@epochstories]

Thank you! Best of luck :)

[@nicholoussilva5289]

Great video. I am actually glad you didn't really speak about gear and spoke more toward the thought process, what works and what doesn't. Very detailed information we typically don't hear about.

[@philliphouse1470]

I would like to thank you for sharing the process that you use to make your documentary, you gave specific information that is helpful to me. I looked for a video that the person would explain the process of doing a documentary and that is what you did. Some that I viewed, I stop after a couple seconds of listening, but yours kept my attention.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much Phillip. I'm glad it was helpful for you :)

[@jenbohn2996]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. This is exactly what I needed to watch!!! A great balance of engaging and informative with structure. Honestly, thank you so so so much. Subscribed (because how could I not).

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :) I'm glad it was helpful. I hope you enjoy future videos :)

[@MzBTOWNHester]

I'm so proud of you keep pushing.

[@epochstories]

Thank you so much :)

[@lehuamk]

To be honest, I started a documentary on myself with my phone that has my Snapchat and Instagram videos. It was really small and great to start off since I was inspired by Lil Peep's documentary about his life on Netflix. I would love to learn more about creating documentaries before I start one that I am willing to share on KZbin and I think it will be an inspiration and uplifting because that is what I want and be based on. Sharing the positive and good results to the world that anything is possible to be in a good place. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and educating me, including others on what we need to know.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@vannachham3372]

Thank you for sharing the upsides and downsides to creating film but more importantly the passion and aligning your mindset. Truly, you’re an inspiration to myself and many others out in this world directly and indirectly impacted by your works.

[@epochstories]

Thank you so much!

[@Mu51kM4n]

Great video. I love hearing about your process, it helps me "ground" or bring into reality the artistic process, rather than it being a mystery. I can relate this process to my own projects (not film, but music) that I dream about and helps encourage me that I can do it. The editing process is still the most daunting for me though. I've done really basic video editing and spent hours on it. I get overwhelmed with that process and is one of the main reasons I keep putting off my ideas. Anyway, thanks for sharing. You deserve more views. Keep up the great work.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much! Yeah, I know what you mean. Editing is definitely a very overwhelming process, specially when you're starting and the project is just blank. I procrastinate so many times when it comes to editing. But I feel that thinking about it in small chunks rather then a one big thing helps a lot. So I just start by organizing my files, than cleaning the audio, then listening to the interview, etc etc. If you think about each small step and you just tick the boxes as you go along, the process becomes much less daunting.

[@syncomposer]

Great insight of your way to create documentaries. Thank you for sharing.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@errinwillis6002]

I'm glad I started with this video. Thank you for this video! So helpful!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much!

[@universalsustenence6915]

Thank you. This was very helpful. glad I found this one. Great explanation/diy perspective on this subject. Always a good idea to have a second opinion from a fellow brother with a different point of view on the matter.

[@dougdoesstuff_uk]

I really, really enjoyed this video. I'm currently in the process of making a documentary on my own and it's really surprised me how many 'layers' there are to create something engaging. Subscribed and keep up the great work!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you found this video useful. My advice would be to not overthink and just keep things simple in the beginning. With practice you'll improve more and more :) best of luck!

[@JitterEye]

This was very interesting and informing, will definitely revisit this if I ever have to do anything like a documentary. Would love to see a bit more of a deep dive on the individual parts of the process, e.g. how you do a good interview, how to use b-roll and music effectively in the editing process, etc.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much JitterEye. I'll definitely add those ideas for future videos :) I hope you're doing well!

[@Fodaydontplay]

I love this.. I really want to get into documentary and this helped.. love what you are doing

[@epochstories]

Thank you so much! I'm glad it was helpful

[@peterkortvel]

A very pleasant watch, interesting tips and a sincere video. I liked the part where you explained about connecting with the subject. I’ll watch more of your videos for sure!

[@peterkortvel]

It’s funny how all youtube is more about what camera to buy rather than what story to shoot.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much Peter. Yeah, gear matters, but not that much. It's not gear that will make or break your film, I think. More importantly is knowing how to tell and show the story

[@EwenBell]

Thanks so much. Loved getting a look at your process.

[@epochstories]

Thank you Ewen!

[@jimpyre5038]

Thanks for this. You give me the courage to make my own film.

[@epochstories]

Yeah! Don't be afraid to experiment. Practice, fail, learn and repeat. You'll get better each time :)

[@dismissing]

I just love how long all the comments are

[@timi0276]

You're absolutely right!

[@epochstories]

Me too! I honestly love engaging with this community :)

[@malistoryteller]

Great video! this is just what I was looking for. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@epochstories]

Thank you :) I'm glad it was helpful

[@panarya3762]

Thank you so much for the video! It helps me a lot with my very first mini documentary assignment

[@epochstories]

I'm glad it was helpful :) best of luck for your mini documentary!

[@gordonhatusupy2224]

This is information is so valuable! I'm shooting my first doc style project right now! Thanks so much!

[@epochstories]

Thank you Gordon! Best of luck for your project!

[@melbawells5472]

Awesome. Thank you. I'm re-energized to make my documentaries

[@epochstories]

That's amazing! I'm glad that my content as inspired you :)

[@adhib6919]

8:58 Adobe Premiere Pro! ❤ Thanks for an amazing documentary making video that includes all ideas about documentary making simply describes in a short duration. 👍👏

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you've enjoyed it

[@MichalOlender]

Good stuff brother, thanks for sharing. I'm starting my first documentary tomorrow so I'm gathering as much info as possible.

[@epochstories]

Thank you Olender. Best of luck!

[@Hin2Orange]

Thank you for the sophisticated documentation of this Hong Kong battle. A heart-broken history in Hong Kong and indelible feeling in every Hong Kong people. Hope you will stand with Hong Kong protestors in the coming days

[@arraiacc]

Subscribed! Thanks for the great content and attention to story over gear.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@oliviadance1174]

Thanks for the great advice! First year film student here, preparing for the summer exams☺️☺️☺️ your tips gave me a good boost!

[@epochstories]

Thank you Olivia. I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@khluodalmrwani5573]

Hi ‘ I searched the search engine for documentary films, "and I found you by chance. I enjoyed a lot of the work you do." I would like to say that I also was enchanted by your beauty.☺️

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much for the kind words :) I'm very happy you've enjoyed my work

[@AnnaVasylioglo]

@@epochstories also found you by chance, thank you

[@epochstories]

Thank you Anna :) I hope you enjoy future videos

[@DaleRoossien]

Great video, love the gentle vibes

[@epochstories]

Thank you Dale :)

[@vinofilms00]

This channel is 🔥 and captures much of my aspirations!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@eeshanagarwal9371]

Thank You for such an amazing video. Really Appreciate you making these videos. Please make more videos like this one.

[@rohandebbarma24]

This video gave a whole different perspective. Thanks!

[@epochstories]

I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@krr74]

Love this thank you. I've been wanting to make a documentary for years and figure its now or never

[@epochstories]

Go for it! It's well worth it :)

[@JayFingers]

Fantastic video. Thanks so much for sharing your process. These are very helpful tips. 🙌🏾

[@osvaldorony]

Thank you for your tips, Definitely I start working on my documentary

[@epochstories]

Best of luck for your projects 😊

[@aussiewombat59]

Thanks for these thoughts and ideas. Appreciated!!

[@TheWallowingMadman27]

I’ve been wanting to make a documentary of my own and this is extremely helpful. Plus I agree about how gear isn’t the most important part of the final product. I use a GoPro hero 7 as my main camera.

[@priyankanarayan3774]

you seem like a genuinely nice persons☺...i would love to see your channel grow in future...you have my best wishes😀😀

[@epochstories]

Thank you so much! I'll keep on doing my best 😊

[@fongjekiee2699]

Thank you! Great information for designing my final year project as a mini documentary with just only myself as shooting crew🤗

[@hgmrtgiv]

Amazing insights! Loved it

[@epochstories]

Muito obrigado Márcio 😁

[@rachelleazadi7208]

This is a wonderful video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! It is beautiful and very informative. Great work!

[@nettion]

Awesome video mate thanks for sharing. Very inspiring for film makers starters

[@epochstories]

Thank you Marcos! I'm glad it was helpful

[@Whanworld]

I am so happy that I subscribed! You are fucking awesome glad to see you continued I just saw you pop up in my suggestions and I you my man deserve so much more views !

[@epochstories]

Hey Whan! It's been a while! Thank you so much :) Still going slowly but consistently. Hope everything is going well for you

[@Whanworld]

EPOCH Dope! I’m doing good. Just started picking up youtube again so back at that again with covers music and content. 😁

[@epochstories]

I wish you the best with it 😁

[@imaneessaidi2944]

Great video man! I'm planning a documentary for my graduation project and this sure came in handy 🙏🏻

[@epochstories]

That's great! I'm glad it was helpful. Best of luck!

[@optimystic5839]

You broke everything down perfectly. A documentary about how to make a documentary.

[@ApeXambo]

Very informative for an aspiring documentary maker, thank you!

[@epochstories]

thank you :) I'm glad it was helpful

[@snapperurban]

This has really inspired me thank you for sharing

[@epochstories]

Thank you Christopher!

[@thewaywardfox741]

This is perfect for beginning my process, thank you

[@epochstories]

I'm glad it was helpful. Best of luck for your project :)

[@googlyswings3171]

honest and simple , good to listen

[@therisingfighter2355]

Thank you man!!! Really appreciate the guidance :)

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@CharlonSerrano]

Thank you for the guides and tips! You are so generous! You earned a sub! :)

[@epochstories]

Thank you Charlon! I'm glad it was helpful :) I hope you enjoy future videos

[@CharlonSerrano]

@@epochstories will surely be back from time to time! :) keep it up!

[@epochstories]

@@CharlonSerrano thank you 😁

[@user-cn4ru7op7i]

I have watched lot of rich kids dude here who all come to show up their gears and have never made anything to show us. You might think of yourself as a starter but I considered you a professional. I have watched all your documentaries videos and let me tell you, you are good. Very good. I have learned a lot from you. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Very good video! Thanks for the insights. Very helpful!

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@hamiltonsgood6597]

You've teached me alot, thanks so much!

[@epochstories]

Thank you. I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@mattriley2232]

Great video. Good info and very inspiring. Thank you 🙏

[@thisisakshayds]

Hey man, thanks for the video. Thanks for the originality, thanks for the truth. Learned a lot.

[@AbdiOfficial2541]

Thank you for those ideas 💡

[@vivreennz7867]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience ! I'm working on my first ever documentary which will be a historical documentary. Very usefull information and most importantly organized.

[@epochstories]

Best of luck for your projects :)

[@vivreennz7867]

@@epochstories thanks!!

[@smo9414]

Great information thanks for sharing your experience.

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@scarpinoproductions2871]

Dope ! Thank you for sharing 🙏🏽❤️

[@epochstories]

Thank you :)

[@TOMYEFBE]

finally i found a CREATOR whose GEAR is not too important but value of story speak louder, when i have no idea and looking for another documentary creators, find this sharing videos, thanks, greet from indonesian

[@epochstories]

Thank you Teman. There are a few creators like that :) Story above everything! More in important than having amazing gear, it's to know how to use the gear you have at its fullest

[@TOMYEFBE]

@@epochstories ❤️ great to see you

[@DanielSRosehill]

Great info - thanks!

[@epochstories]

Thank you. I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@milanveissi3860]

Amazing video, thank you for this!

[@SakinahIman]

Thank you so much for creating this. 😁🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@SheenWB]

So great! Keep it up I subscribed

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :)

[@Jesushabitz]

u did so well

[@epochstories]

Thank you :)

[@nathanksimpson]

Awesome. Very concise!

[@epochstories]

Thank you Nathan

[@TimothyBennett]

Great tips, thanks man.

[@HTNFilms]

you really break it down man. Nice

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much

[@arconagbuya2188]

Woww, you are so good! Very informative. Thank you!

[@pridelion88]

Thank you excellent feedback. I have many stories and will share one documentary soon....

[@ShatreseWTV]

Great video and explanation... thanks

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much!

[@SirMusabody]

Awesomely beautiful mate keep creating g

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much Iam :)

[@hismajesty40]

Excellent presentation!

[@epochstories]

thank you very much!

[@Raptorfilmz]

Very helpful and interesting - thanks!

[@epochstories]

I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@Dmite_The_Great_6558]

This was very helpful! Thanks

[@AmericajinYumi]

Thank you for sharing. This was enjoyable and insightful. =)

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much :) I'm glad you've enjoyed it!

[@dariusmitchell5758]

Thank you for sharing your process. I am interested in making documentaries also.

[@epochstories]

Go for it! It's super worth it :)

[@cicadapoole3591]

Your videos are so incredibly well done, you are an artist my friend! As someone who shares a similar passion it's so refreshing to see how you break your craft down, focusing on the story and the journey ❤️ I realize you are one who doesn't like to focus on gear and I fully respect and understand that! People get caught up in tech and less about the feelings if film. But I must say, I also shoot with the gh5! If you wouldn't mind me asking Im so curious to know what lenses inspire you and if you have any go to? I am a fan of prime sigmas for my footage Cheers!

[@epochstories]

Hey Cicada! Thank you very much for your kind words :) I don't want people to think that I don't care about gear at all. I do. The thing is: gear matters, but it doesn't matter THAT much. I think it's a waste of time to expect our storytelling to improve by getting better gear. Sometimes when we limit ourselves it's when we are more focused on the story and when we are the most creative. :) Gh5 is amazing though! I've never tried other cameras, but this one is so easy to use! About the lenses. Well... that's one of the things I haven't invested much into to be honest haha basically all I use is the kit lenses that came with the gh5 12-60mm and I bought the panasonic prime lens 25mm f1.7 I love the 25mm prime though! I haven't tried any other lenses so I'm afraid I can't answer your question

[@kd-xp6eg]

thank you so much!

[@marcusrodrigues516]

Incrível, exatamente o que eu buscava. Muito obrigado! abraços do Brasil

[@epochstories]

Muito obrigado! Fico muito feliz que tenha ajudado. Um abraço

[@Califor12]

Awesome 👏🏻 that’s very pro documentary

[@epochstories]

Thank you very much

[@SheenWB]

Thanks for sharing

[@axceldomingo4064]

Nice great idea! For me it's interesting and it's sound fun to do! I really want documentary! 👍❤️😉

[@epochstories]

Go for it! It's super rewarding to do :)