Making a Documentary From Start to Finish - Beginner Tips

Shooting a documentary is never easy, but if you keep a few key lessons in mind you can avoid some of the most common mistakes. I recently finished a short doc that we shot in California over the course of 4 days, and along the way I learned a ton about the filmmaking process. Special thanks to my friends at The Art of Documentary for helping to fund this project. The doors are now open for AoD and they’re giving a special 10% off deal to viewers of this channel by using the code Luc10 at checkout: theartofdocumentary.myshopify...
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
2:12 - Start with your character first
2:55 - AOD opens its doors
4:36 - Great results with minimum resources
6:07 - Stay local
6:41 - Importance of preproduction
8:27 - Set aside dedicated time for the edit
10:29 - Cost of the project
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[@heyheyhey520]

DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A WORKING DP OFF SITE. THis is one of my favorite things about you! So Canadian lol.

[@LucForsyth]

haha, sorry about being sorry, eh bud! 🇨🇦

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Definitely agree when we have far to many film KZbinrs who only KZbin!

[@calebmarais1874]

Agreed

[@ryansubjective]

Please do more videos like this. Your office is great, but seeing you in the field gives a unique feel and shows that you walk your talk. Great job man, i'm sure this took extra work.

[@MeshachShakes]

"We are not competitors" that's what most of us struggle with on this part of the world at least, hence we slow down our growth by not working together. Well said Luc, love your approach.

[@LucForsyth]

Appreciate that! It's hard not to see others as your competition, but letting that go has been huge for me over the course of my career...there's lots to go around, but if you try to go it alone it's really hard

[@jeffreyhofmeister3103]

Luc thank you for this information! It is always nice to see people do presentations outdoor of the studio. I understand that doing outdoor shooting is not the best, but it shows us that it is possible. As one who is getting their feet wet learning this stuff I feel like a sponge trying to learn and remember. Time will tell as I progress on this journey.

[@natures_guardians]

Thanks this helps a lot. I’m 12 years old and I got a grant to make a documentary so I’m doing some research.

[@markbone]

Love you Luc!!

[@Jona]

I love your team spirit with other filmmakers :) and what a time to be alive to learn from real pros. So cool!

[@subsyt]

Love your transparency and you’re a great, empathetic teacher.

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you, appreciate that!

[@micahcrews]

I think it is wonderful to see you working. It adds such authenticity to your videos. You are a working DP. It can't always be a perfect studio set all the time.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks!

[@scotey]

Beyond that, it's a fun real-world shot. I vastly prefer this to a studio setup.

[@user-ll4rx7el9o]

Like always, Luc, your videos are packed with tons of great ideas. You're the real deal! Great to see you in your element, too. Wow! You ARE a working DP, like you said :) I especially appreciate your shout-out to AOD ( joined Module 1 last Spring myself) and the encouragement to be a community working together to make films, not competing. Watch out for the bears, the coming cold season, and hope to see your film this Fall.

[@gordonwebsterphotography]

Great advice as usual Luc. I really appreciate your grounded approach to filmmaking.

[@YoshTheGreat]

Thank you for your commitment to the craft and willingness to impart wisdom. Instant subscription.

[@joey-bp9vn]

your videos and insight are second to none. i also see your uploading consistently and i urge you to keep going. this channel has potential to become big and i think it will be easier to do so with more broad, reaching topics. but the main point im making is that you have potential and your videos are great. thank you for what your doing and for your very valuable insight!

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you, appreciate you saying so! I plan to!

[@jessicag7029]

This was extremely inspiring...Thank you, and I look forward to seeing your new film:)

[@sebastiantouma4965]

Amazing content Luc. 2 month follower and have learned so much. My filmmaking notebook is getting more full every monday thanks to you!

[@LucForsyth]

Love to hear that!

[@malynicz_pl]

that's liek the most knowledge packed in almost a second. thanks man, great chanel!

[@johnclay7644]

some good tips and advice, thanks Luc, informative content.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks John!

[@moniquebeastie]

1:36 More than cool with your videos being out of your office. The fact you’re a working DP is exactly why I keep coming back to your content.

[@LucForsyth]

Appreciate that!

[@mikojYT]

No worries about the set up. In fact, if you are able to integrate more of the docu filmmaking process with some in field demos/lessons I'm sure everyone would love it!

[@tomblankenberg]

Hi Luc, I really enjoy your videos here. Very good insights and pro tips presented in this calm and structured way. Very good. Thank you.

I appreciate these videos and but also really just want to say thanks for being vulnerable in this video and another (I think the one where you discuss whether AOD is worth it?) about still learning even though you have some impressive credentials yourself! Much respect!

[@RishavKumar28]

❤ for both you and Mark Bone!

[@LucForsyth]

thanks man!

[@Buck.Jolicoeur]

Great insight. Very useful for me right now. Thank you.

[@Mountsidemedia]

I really like what you said about it not being a competition, I've said the same thing time and time again about music, if it helps bring out creativity and collaboration and builds community it can only be a good thing :)

[@mdgriffith7]

Great Video Luc. I am a student in your course and have also joined AOD. I have found your courses are both complimentary to each other with each providing a perspective that is valuable and worthwhile. Thank you for giving back to those of us who are just starting.

[@nicholasolivas317]

Correct!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks so much, really glad to hear it. It's great to see all this learning happening, the quality of docs in general is going to skyrocket!

[@LucForsyth]

👊🏻

[@watershedpublishing]

We appreciate you!

[@EdificationDevelopmentGroup]

Thank you for the video, the information was very useful!

[@RokKadoic]

Man this is gold! I feel it :)

[@Bo_Hazem]

Wonderful video, motivational as well. Thanks for all the great tips!

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome!

[@shauncullen5038]

love your work brother!!! you need to make your own version of AOD and get it out there! i'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[@Slicky_Slick]

Best filmmaking and cinematography teacher ever ❤

[@LucForsyth]

You're too kind!

[@Slicky_Slick]

@@LucForsyth Just facts!

[@YoungSlay]

I was waiting for that class to open. Thanks

[@LucForsyth]

It's going to be a bit still, but I'll absolutely let you know!

[@christopherprince8094]

Love this video and your filmmaking! Such helpful tips! How long is this documentary you made? My wife and I in the pre/early production phase and are scouting out ideas of how long a story driven doc could be without being too long and drawn out. Do you have any tips? Thanks so much in advance!

[@jimsjourney9347]

Thanks for the video. Which mic did you use for this video? The audio is very good.

[@JosephSandall]

Great info

[@alaskalonghunters2990]

Great input from an obvious pro. Sent it to our script writer for FYI. Loved your comment re making your wrtter co-director. My first work is called Alaska Long Hunters.

[@Brie_luv]

I would like some advice on who is responsible for the opening credits and end credits?

[@thebro-fessornetwork3129]

Superb!!!!

[@charlypn]

i'm interested about watching the documentary on your video ! do you have a link ?

[@adriannache6504]

Damn, that bear short scene made me jump! Thanks for all the tips!

[@Udyogkhadka]

Thank you sir your teaching policy i love too❤❤❤❤

[@AkaBull]

Sometimes different is good, no need to apologize for having a job buddy, and especially the job you make videos about 😊

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks man!

[@Longpathwisdom]

Thanks!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks so much Jonathan, very generous and much appreciated!

[@Longpathwisdom]

@@LucForsyth My pleasure, I don’t have a ton right now, but please have a coffee on me. Your content is top notch. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

[@larkin_doc]

Thanks for the great advice, let me add one more thing. On personal non-commercial projects, you have to combine almost all the roles in the work on the film and because of this, a stupor may arise at some stage. For example, I always have a stupor when its time to sort all the footage and make the first version of the story. Therefore, I try to save some money to pay for a couple of working shifts for a good (it's important that a person is a really professional) editor/director. A professional can do a difficult stage of work in 2-3 days, which I would spend 3 months on (including procrastination) and then I can pick up the work and complete it. And besides, a anothers look at the story can be very useful and prevent many mistakes. So I advise all unexperienced filmmakers to consider at least a small budget for invited specialists in those parts of the work where can be problems.

[@jamesharrison4272]

Luc ~ How is the switch to DaVinci going? Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines, transportation, OhMy! That's the location budget eating beast. I use an older camper. Sure travel time is longer than a plane, but more interesting and if you don't want to own one you can rent for about the cost of a hotel. For extra spartan, tent camping is an option for short term. Also have an old 1984 28 foot fully contained boat. Try living on that with 4 people 2 weeks at a time! Yes a lot of extra time consuming work, but can easily save hundreds of dollars a day which adds up quick. Maybe no-glam but left with extra cash for some jam!

[@AkaBull]

Im two states over from NY, would love to see this Doc when it launches.

[@LucForsyth]

Awesome, I'll let you know!

[@AkaBull]

@@LucForsyth Sweet!!

[@FilmshooterOH]

Looks like a cool video. I'm a big fan of Mark Bone and his channel. I used his videos and soon yours in a video class I teach in Ohio.

[@LucForsyth]

Nice! Yeah, Mark is great!

[@tataisaac9994]

Thanks a bunch for the time you put into this, It hasn't been long I found you and I've learned a lot. Your approach is very practical. I'm a videographer and beginer Filmmaker in Cameroon and I look forward to sharing my work with you for criticism someday. Thanks again

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome, happy that it's helping!

[@ThePlaceForThings]

beautiful. love to know that you’re one of the AOD grant recipients

[@LucForsyth]

👊🏻

[@kineticimagerygroup]

Hey Luc! What are the details on that chest rig you’re wearing? Would love to snag one.

[@scottievee7467]

I really like the outdoor deal. Looks great. Nice shot. What audio did you use here? Very clean.

[@LucForsyth]

I used tentacle track e's and a Sennheiser 416...the forest moss helps to suck up sound!

[@arielestulin9706]

AOD film fest in NY! not sure the boys have made that announcement yet! 😮

[@giosamigos]

nice tips👍

[@mattcannon5779]

I have to ask you Luke as a beginner who is trying to set up pre-interviews with people who they never met before. How do you go about that and build trust

[@smokingheavy6684]

I just hear goat talk. Great video

[@austinh7539]

Hey man shoot in the woods, I'd rather listen to a full-time DP than a full-time KZbinr, No offense to your KZbin side or anyone's full-time youtube job. But knowing your a full-time filmmaker is helpful.

[@LucForsyth]

Glad you don't mind it because there's at least 2 more months of wood content coming!

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

I love the change of scenery. Given the choice, I’d rather shoot all my videos outdoors. It just 57 times harder! 😄

[@StephenMcFadden]

audio sounds great.

[@WhirlOmar]

What if you’re doing a documentary on a person who passed many years ago? In this case my ancestor, who was a popular important general in the Spanish war in Cuba. There is a museum about him, but I want to do a documentary about him, but I’d like to find the angle of the story. so it’s not just a chronicle telling or a biography.

[@wakkowarner8810]

When deciding on the price of your film do you factor in the cost of gear (like cameras and lenses and lights) that will be used on multiple films or do you only factor in the costs of things for that film (like set design etc.) and not things you’d always buy like food?

[@LucForsyth]

It depends...I'm lucky enough to own all the gear already, and since this is a project I wanted to make and not get paid for, I didn't need to factor in gear. Anything I didn't own, we borrowed from friends. But this wasn't a job, so it's a bit different. If it was an assignment from someone else, like the show I'm on now, then yes all of that would have to be factored in.

[@InfluencerNationmmg]

Does sound design include the score?

[@Just._Kel]

Anyone know where I can find his documentaries??!!!

[@thelittledancingwolf863]

I have two projects in mind. One is a very big documentary, involving learning 2 different languages, and traveling to a different country, as well as loads of research, and the other I can film in my hometown, I have a lot of background knowledge on, no new language required. This would be my first documentary. Should I just continue to focus on the big project, or, since it's my first film, create the smaller project first while still working on the large project to get a hang of how filmmaking works?

[@GayCorvidae69]

I would definitely say work on your smaller one first while learning those languages on the side and preparing more for your big documentary. Not only will this give you more time to properly prepare for your big project, you will have already learned some things from the first which will make your big project a whole lot better thsan diving intot he deep end with no previous experience. You’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you and you’ll continue to learn more on your way

[@directorc4930]

i cant express ENOUGH how frustrating it is that I have to wait to get into this course just like AOD. like jeeeeez cmon maaan

[@RehmanPiyas]

Where can i watch the short film?

[@LucForsyth]

It's premiering in November!

[@AkaBull]

Damn Luc, I can't keep up with your upload schedule 😅

[@LucForsyth]

Once a week, every Monday!

[@AkaBull]

​@@LucForsythOh damn, looks like I'm the one with schedule problems 🤣🤣

[@the_meaning_of_love]

Love your content ❤ But this video tells me something, there is no way to do a production like the one about Jose for 5k, as you did not pay yourselves and Erik (was Erik or Eros?). In that sense is a bit misleading IMO, as it’s giving the impression than is ok to not pay yourselves. I guess this is possible when filmmaking is a hobby and one is just starting out, but even with all that pre production and low budget production, the real production cost would be, what? 10k? love

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks! Well for me it's absolutely ok not to pay myself. This is a story I wanted to tell, and so did Eros, so we did it for free. Making projects you believe in for free is how to get paying jobs down the road in my experience. If a client asked me to work for free I would definitely say no, but for personal projects I generally don't get paid until later, if at all. The reward comes when the film is finished and people see it, which leads to paid work later, but if I expected to be paid for my personal films I'd never make anything! Sometimes I get enough of a budget where there's some left over, but 90% of the time I'd choose to spend the money on more production and crew and not on a salary for myself. I support myself through paid assignments, like the TV show I'm on right now, save money, and make the things I want on the side.

[@the_meaning_of_love]

@@LucForsyth Helli Luc 👋🏽 Thank you for explaining further, it makes a lot of sense, are the one who has the experience and I am just learning 🫶 I just feel that it could have been even more educational if you could have explained that you were able to stay on the budget, even if tiny, because you decided not to pay yourself for the reasons you explain in this comment. Love 💚

[@petemacinnes]

is that bear pepperspray?

[@Joshscuntservice]

A documentary of a documentary

[@stevenfilmco-8567]

I could make something but I can't write a story

[@LucForsyth]

find a character first and the story will come out much more easily!

[@alloriginaltone]

I would watch your stuff even if you filmed it in broken down car. Wait...

[@LucForsyth]

hahahaha! too soon!

[@uppsatskanalen4456]

The fear of bear gives you an edge…

[@LucForsyth]

🐻

[@isaacburke2370]

lets say your documentary is topic based and doesn’t follow one key character but multiple different characters and there really isn’t any one main character for the topic you’re trying to tell a story on. Can you still make a good film out of the topic?

[@LucForsyth]

Each of those characters should have a story. There are some examples of topical docs working, but generally they're exceptions. If you have a character, even if there's more than one, they should want something and be working towards it. They don't have to get it, they can also fail or not quite achieve the goal, but if your characters don't want anything it's tough to craft a story. You can still make a doc without these things, but it's much harder to hook an audience into caring. All that said and without knowing anything about what you're doing, maybe your topic is one of those exceptions - but it's rare.

[@isaacburke2370]

@@LucForsythmm i got you, well in this doc, the characters definitely want something. Do you have any good examples for topical docs?

[@VeganLinked]

This looks killer, but your film looked flat

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

This was so helpful, Luc. I was sitting in my garage, scripting my next video, when you said something that prompted a key revision, which I think will aid my story quite a bit. Thanks again! 👍🦘

[@edo_tokyo_]

Working DP > KZbinr

[@LucForsyth]

👊🏻

[@llpreiss]

Like always, Luc, your videos are packed with tons of great ideas. You're the real deal! Great to see you in your element, too. Wow! You ARE a working DP, like you said :) I especially appreciate your shout-out to AOD ( joined Module 1 last Spring myself) and the encouragement to be a community working together to make films, not competing. Watch out for the bears, the coming cold season, and hope to see your film this Fall.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks, appreciate that! Happy shooting my friend!

[@user-ev3xj6hl7r]

DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A WORKING DP OFF SITE. THis is one of my favorite things about you! So Canadian lol.