How to Shoot a Documentary - Tips & Tricks for Emotional Storytelling

Today I share my tips and some tricks that can help you shoot your next documentary project.
Interested in getting After Effects CC?
Buy it here: goo.gl/eNop8t
Check out MILANOTE:
www.milanote.com/kriscoart
Please help support the channel with these Cinematic Light Hits, Flares and Textures
Vintage Light FX Pack: bit.ly/VintageLightFx
Documentaries can be overwhelming, especially when you have limited budget and crew.
This was the case for my latest documentary "Sir Opifex" as I had to shoot and light multiple interviews in different locations.
From framing and composition, to lighting and lens choices, I hope I have packed in much valuable tips and ideas on shooting a documentary on a shoe string budget.
These products have saved my life while editing:
Envato: bit.ly/2HkR5p2
bit.ly/39mHVUV
Production Crate: bit.ly/39lsj3V
Smashworks: bit.ly/2OHTkGX
Musicbed: bit.ly/2OCL1w4
⬇ MY GEAR ⬇
Sony a7s goo.gl/VSPhm9
Sony a7s II goo.gl/zxlsFk
Sony 24-70mm goo.gl/HqZeYQ
Sony 55mm goo.gl/yIDfFn
Tamron 70-200mm goo.gl/b5eGnD
Tamron 15-30mm goo.gl/tZCYyB
Edited in Premiere CC
INSTAGRAM: / kriscoart
TWITTER: / kriscoart
FACEBOOK: kriscoart
Kriscoart is a filmmaking channel and company based on the core values to Learn, Create, Share. The editing and VFX tutorials, lighting workshops, and short film break downs are a small step towards free education hoping that one day this can be an integral part in providing the tools and knowledge so that every filmmaker’s voice and unique perspective is heard.
If you are interested in learning tips and cinematic camera techniques and giving an epic flare to your edits while staying true to the emotion of the story then Subscribe for more films, tutorials and filmmaking videos.
For business inquiries please contact me here:
[e-mail]
Thank you for watching!

[@Kriscoart]

Any stories or tips on shooting Documentaries?

[@underwaterHD]

Great style. Great info. I am actually in the middle of shooting a documentary as well. I do have some ideas for a couple of documentaries. Ill be more than happy to share it with you. Here is my IG @underwater1212.

[@Freedom_fighters898]

Hey Kris holla at me please need to ask you something

[@baloup571]

Ma sai l’italiano?

[@owenespiritu5480]

Camera Angles

[@frankinstammcorp]

There's an UncoverDC article to teach how to make political documentaries ... Title is "Becoming a Big-Time Activist with a 20 Buck Movie Editing Program" ...

[@dundeedolphin]

Some very good advice. Depending on the individual interviewee, I would strongly recommend capturing the whole interview on one lens. Then if you want to re shoot with other lenses, fair enough. The quality of the responses/answers is the single most important thing. Put them at ease. Build trust. Also, I'd say if someone is talking about a car, don't just ask them about it in an abstract way. Take them to the car, watch them, silently. Have them interact with it. Ask them how they feel about it. Get them to connect again with it emotionally at the start of your recording. An interview and b-roll is good but actuality is SOOO much better.

[@TheThinkersBible]

This is GREAT advice, thank you very much for sharing.

[@bmarshy]

One tip I would give people is don’t just look for the shots you want. Bring your camera everywhere you go and never stop filming. Like film every little thing you see: You’ll have a shit ton of footage to sort through but you won’t regret it when it comes to needing extra B-roll or having a shot in mind that you might want to go out to specifically shoot.

[@phalcon23]

You know how I know you know what your talking about? I had no clue what the documentary was about with the car guy... But I could feel the emotion in the scenes.... thats capturing something special right there!

[@JLBREMER]

Wow I don’t feel so overwhelmed now because I too am using 1 camera and led panel to shoot this short documentary.

[@ArissaTinkers]

Thank you so so much for the detailed explanation to everything! Most people don't give this sweet info for free so thankful for the time you put into this to help others 💜💜💜

[@CBCFilms]

Going to start a short documentary soon (20-30 minutes), and this was really helpful. Really appreciate your channel. Always inspiring having other up and coming filmmakers helping each other out with little tips and tricks here and there.

[@ScouterMike]

Thank you so much for these videos, I am currently re-learning Adobe Premier after 5 years out of film school and these videos are truly helping build my editing skills/making me more marketable employment wise. THANK YOU & LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE VIDEOS!

[@charlietucker5018]

Thanks so much for making and sharing this. People like yourself are invaluable.

[@betty.fotofili]

What a great run down Chris! beautiful filmmaking! Well done! Thank you!

[@clevadeva]

Thanks for this, you’ve made it attainable just by how you’ve outlined your work flow and your less is more attitude. You have a new sub!👌🏿😉👊🏾

[@juliopalomo3312]

Thank you very much for doing this video, this is very very useful for me since I am going to shoot my very first documentary and I do not want to screw It up, that really scares me a lot!!!!! Thanks again man and keep It up!!!

[@RaduGheorghe23]

Great material, man. I like the story behind. Much appreciated.

[@ryanfrench340]

Loved the lighting explanation with the masks. Really helped!

[@FilmyReact]

I watched the entire video, really useful tips u have shared. Thanks!

[@theportraitist4888]

Very nice, thank you! Beautiful work.

[@yelenagrigorenko]

Very good advice! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@SUALNHSSENIORHIGH]

hi, I'm a media arts teacher and this is a very practical approach to teaching filming. Thank you- from the Philippines

[@MarioCastillion]

This made me a subscriber! Love this, Kris!

[@estuardoruiz5373]

Thank you for posting, very encouraging to start shooting with what I have.

[@DustinlDalton]

These shots are amazing!!!!! Wow!

[@HighGravityAdventures]

Excellent video. Im in the Pre-pro stage of my first doc and this was great info. Thank you!

[@yourpaljosh]

A nice skimming of basic docu filmmaking. Great for the beginner to learn how to do this.

[@TheThinkersBible]

Thanks for these insights. Very timely. You do a GREAT job of using what you have to maximum effect. Also I just started a Milanote account I'll use for my first documentary that I've written and that I'm starting this week.

[@doganb34]

Incredible. Thanks for the great video!

[@glennsak]

This was incredible. Thank you.

[@RichRayBeatsnFilms]

I'm gonna use this as my personal reference when I shoot my documentary. Great video!!

[@RLOARCHITECTURE]

I started following you today. Wonderfull videos! Will help me a lot in architecture private documentaries

[@brunodossantos1163]

Thank you! I didnt know the Milanote tool, its amazing... tahanks for the tip

[@brianb3287]

Thanks for sharing and introducing me to Milanote, signed up today!!!

[@lanceevans1689]

Excellent work. Thank you.

[@ERJOL]

I'm shooting a short documentary today actually I've seen this video few times and watching again today just to get more inspiration

[@DeltaDonnaLynn]

There was so much great advice in this one, thank you for all these insights.

[@Kriscoart]

The Crafty War Crone glad you liked it! Thanks for watching

[@maritabrid]

@@Kriscoart q

[@shannonwright-barnes3694]

Really great tutorial, thank you!

[@FightingMSA]

As a terminal neurological patient this will be a first to document. Thank you for this video and was inspiring.

[@AllCarsUnited]

These videos are so refreshing. Thanks for the tutorials man!

[@Kriscoart]

All Cars United happy to hear that! Thank you for watching

[@gloriareyes7435]

I agree!

[@aliruane]

Really interesting stuff. Thank you.

[@alibouhaddou5233]

Very good advice, thank you !

[@bdaleqt]

HUGE thank you for this one brotha! 🙏🏽

[@MissNigeriaInternationalinc]

Awesome content. Thank you so much

[@olakunlesmith1092]

Thank you for this very insightful and very instructive video. Its definitely going to help me as I venture into the world of documentary making. As part of this series, please can we have a video on your Milanote workflow or how you use Milanote to organize your thoughts. Hope I am not asking for too much? Thanks.

[@trinimedia19]

This video was awesome, thanks for the advice.

[@chrisevans3539]

Excellent work sir!

[@arkarlinnnaing2201]

Thanks so much. It helps me a lot.

[@Shawn_Kelley]

Absolutely wonderful.

[@cpt33studios]

Great content my friend!

[@jacksonstone190]

Dope video bro..thanks man!😎

[@HighGravityAdventures]

subbed. this was teriffic. thanks for the killer vid!

[@marianabanannna]

Your video helped me so much!

[@c-rawtalks4213]

This I will keep coming back to. I’m inspired.🙌Currently writing my 2nd Documentary script. Thank you 🙏

[@Hst5212]

hey can you give any tips,trick,advice for how to write a documentary script and how to get an idea for documentary ??

[@dudehorror]

That is much helpful, thanks.

[@speliotis]

Great advice.... Spot on. thank you

[@esbenjohansen6062]

Awesome! You seem to speak of different aspects of filmmaking than most other youtubers🙏🏻 Q: How did you make that floating text 5 seconds in? Did you film sheets of paper? Or is it after effects or premiere?

[@soulrayy709]

thank you for your video!

[@MiriamFollin]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@missionaryfilmmaker2600]

Amazing man! Thanks

[@Johnny_frost]

Thank you for your tips!

[@tariqhassan4908]

great video !!

[@gaylepilgrim309]

Thank you - this has been helpful! I'm here in 2022 looking for help as an indie documentarian. It's encouraging to see what you produced with no gear initially! Subscribed!

[@Kriscoart]

That’s awesome to hear! Limitations a lot of time inspire great ingenuity and creativity. Best of luck with your docs!

[@VasconcelosFilms]

I love your advice!

[@calebvanriper1775]

Absolutely adore that shot @ 4:22

[@charlescantu7548]

I love it keep up the great work!

[@Kriscoart]

Thank you!

[@JosephEntekumeFilm]

Thank you!!!

[@zsuzskahajdu8988]

It was really useful, thanks:)

[@kabelolioness]

Thank you for this.

[@pratikgoud1]

this was helpful thank you.

[@papagyete]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@Interjrux]

thanks filming one tommorrow needed some brush ups

[@Kriscoart]

I Created Life nice! Best of luck with your shoot!

[@gloriareyes7435]

I LOVE THIS!

[@Kriscoart]

Gloria Reyes 🖤

[@journeytoeast485]

good tutorial, thanks

[@joshkizurchin]

Exactly what i need

[@petersuvara]

Thanks for sharing. We use Good Notes for brainstorming. Will be putting together our first documentary next year. :)

[@Kriscoart]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fuzzynenja]

Great Video!

[@photobritain]

Surprised you got great results from just one led. Although I suspect knowledge is key. Thanks for sharing.

[@pd6374]

Thank U sir 🙌

[@RobertCassar]

Brilliant tips

[@Kriscoart]

Thanks!

[@xfesto5734]

So overwhelmed 😰

[@kudzaitinago5156]

You aregood my guy. Thanx

[@SOLOVSOfficial]

your putting Hollywood to shame!! BRo keep inspiring

[@mariuscg]

49 seconds into this video and I decided to stop and say "hi" to you as you really got my attention 👍👏

[@StartupStoriesUnplugged]

thanks for this

[@Kriscoart]

Thank you for watching!

[@zandeosaddles208]

Whay a great video.

[@TerryLNewman]

This is great, and thanks for sharing Milanote. What is the best budget gear available for someone who wants to make a documentary about a social issue that is high enough quality that they can sell it for distribution? Thanks again.

[@SuperNothingnothing]

Thanks. Very informative. What video editor do you use?

[@finallyimadad2913]

thank you

[@TAROKTV1]

Great. I enjoyed this. I am about shooting a documentary on drugs. Thank you

[@RaxFilms7]

Amazing ♥️👌

[@KararFilm]

Good One

[@LivingLife972]

awesome stuff, i'm just starting off. what camera, lenses, lighting equipment do you recommend? - thanks!

[@nicke.3536]

0:40 perfect lighting

[@cosmiccine9162]

legend!

[@emmaejwertzmusic6931]

thank you.

[@tommyowen529]

Do you mind me asking what resolution you shot at? Looks fabulous.

[@mikebanks4796]

Really valuable video here and super inspiring to hear that you shoot off one camera because it drives me to give up the excuse that I need to invest in a 2nd camera. I’m curious how your lens change process goes though, and if it effects the flow of the conversation. If they say something impactful are you stopping them to change your lens, or are getting them to repeat what they said after you change the lens?

[@Kriscoart]

Mike Banks hey Mike! I’m glad you liked the video! I’m a huge proponent of creating with what you have and if one camera is what you have that is good enough. Of course a second camera can be nice and in some of the interviews I would have benefited a lot from having a second angle with a different lens. What I would have to do is wait for a moment where a question was asked or any break like that and I would quickly change lenses. You have to be on your feet a lot more and be very alert and attentive but it can totally work. What also helps in these situations are zoom lenses instead of primes. I used a Tamron 70-200 for all the emotional and close up shots. With some distance I could then have a medium all the way to extreme close ups. I also would roughly plan ahead of time what parts I wanted to shoot with what lens. For example I would start off with the wide usually, this way I could capture the environment and setting at first and then move to a tighter lens once the conversation was picking up. Hope this helps! Thank you for watching and good luck on your shoots!

[@mikebanks4796]

Thank you so much for your in depth reply Kriscoart! Much appreciated and very helpful. I mostly shoot on primes so I’m definitely going to look into grabbing a good zoom to get more range without have to switch lenses. 👍

[@fuelhigh8573]

Amazing bro please make 1 on how to shoot bike build like episode

[@matthewpicciano7332]

Amazing video. You're a Rockstar. I'm starting my own project as we speak. Hey, does the subject of your doc keep his cars in Astoria, Queens? If so I've been there before. Around 49 st and BQE. I'm a Queens boy, born and raised...Maybe we should link up? ; ) $

[@Austrianaut]

Awesome making of! What is the name of this movie and where can I watch it?

[@domenico9992]

Hi Kris. Thanks for sharing this! I follow you from Italy. I'm quite courious how you ended up shooting a documentary in this country?? :)

[@organismx]

Nice

[@AsaK93]

awesome video. Can you please share the name of the song thats playing at 4:10??? Thanks!