What It Really Takes to Film a $375,000 Documentary

[@G_Gued]

This whole entire project has been a nightmare. I can feel my blood pressure SOARING just watching it unfold. You're an absolute LEGEND for being so patient.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

The validation that I'm not in-patient is something I needed for this. Thank you 🙏

[@Sjdaviesfilm]

The small section where you mention interview plates to get neg or sound equipment closer is well noted and will be used by me!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad to hear it!

[@tomhbird]

This series is a must watch for anyone thinking of getting into the commercial filming game. The old 'boss's boss's boss' line really hit home with me - been there, done that and had the project canned at the 11th hour because of such a situation.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It's heartbreaking every time

[@adamsenior5504]

Need to figure out how to get all of my clients to watch the episodes too! HA!

[@InvisageStudios]

Loved the video, but it really makes me reconsider my desire to film large productions such as this.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Fair enough… the bigger jobs I win, the more i think the same thing!

[@TylerBedgood]

The plates are such a huge part of making those interviews work. So cool. Great work. I don't love that you had to give the entire kit for free. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. The work looks lovely man.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Tyler 🙏

[@bairstories]

I agree. Seeing this done inspires me and reminds me that I can do this.

[@zachhaayema4481]

My brother I hope you made enough from this project for some new glasses

[@SamWelker]

Oh man I didn’t notice… good catch!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

They broke the morning I shot this 😂 🤓 - you'll be happy to know they are now fixed.

[@TomChappell1998]

Honestly, this series of BTS has been the most eye-opening I've seen about the (commercial) filmmaking industry. The fact you've spent so much time to put this series together after going through this challenging shoot is incredible!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Tom :)

[@TomChappell1998]

@@ScottPetersFilms also totally agree with needing to keep things light hearted amongst the team when poo hits the fan 🪭

[@isaac.cropsey]

As a 22 year old trying to create more documentary work and make a living from it this journey is nothing but inspiring for me to watch, despite all the hang-ups along the way. Thanks for the video

[@ScottPetersFilms]

That makes me happy to hear, thanks Isaac 🙏

[@videopromike]

We, the people of the internet, approve of these videos and the information in them. It’s not too dark. It’s just what we need to hear. To be honest, you’re at the place I would like to get to in my career. Watching your videos is very inspiring and sobering at the same time.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I'm very happy to hear it :)

[@Anaieta]

Can’t wait to see the post-production!

[@myvideoversion]

I've worked as an in house cinematographer/producer for 15 years and it is really cool to see how your experience is almost exactly like what I have experienced even being in house. Thanks for your content.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You're very welcome

[@TheFAILBLOG100]

Air travel with kit is the worst, crazy how you pulled this off with such a small crew. The visuals you shot look incredible. This series is a must watch for any filmmaker trying to make it in the commercial/branded game.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ScottyGibsonn]

You legitimately make the best content on youtube. YOU MY GOAT!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks John 😊

[@Marvnz]

And if that wasn't stressful enough, you'll also be making several episodes full of entertainment for us. It's really fun to watch.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad to hear it :)

[@ralphpeters4888]

You’re AMAZING Scott R P🎉🎉

[@adamsenior5504]

Did you run out of time/budget to fix your glasses in post :D - Informative and as real as ever, your ability to tell the whole story, including the many hurdles one has to jump when clients are involved is a breath of fresh air. The bosses, bosses, bosses, boss part hit me in the face! This happens often in our client base, has to be one of the most sole destroying things ever. Keep up the content - Thank you! Also, made me chuckle that your $375K budget project had you include equipment for free! :D

[@ScottPetersFilms]

They broke the morning I filmed this video... you'll be pleased to hear their fixed now though 🤓 - clients... we wouldn't be here without them... but to be fair... on THIS job at least they were only in attendance for 1 of the shoot days... that was something wonderful I've never experienced before.

[@thinklist]

Mate this is truly amazing watching a documentary of a documentary. Must watch for anyone thinking of getting into film

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mandy]

I totally feel for you as a fellow director/dp. May you feel validated in knowing your stress is not unfounded. I think I know how you would have felt when the client asked to change direction half way through production, I am truly unsure if I would have kept my cool, particularly over xmas holiday. There's "killing your darlings" to make something better, and then theres a client ruining their own project I have only worked on smaller branded productions (so far) than this and it's nice to know the experiences and workflow are the same

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Mandy 🙏

[@loganlambert]

Just needed to stop at 4:49 to acknowledge that you used frames from one of the most underrated films American Animals. Absolute killer of a film and the interviews are genius

[@jamieandrei]

5:12 the old noise interrupting interview flow.. good show getting what you needed.. 👌

[@tannerbrowningfilms]

The most valuable series I’ve seen in years… Big thanks

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You’re most welcome Tanner!

[@jw_film]

This series has been invaluable viewing for me. I'm about to take a massive step from shooting "small" video projects to directing a large-scale commercial project across the country and the EU. This is absolutely cracking content, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you bring the project together in the end. Thanks again for posting, Scott, I really appreciate all the content.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You’re most welcome mate. I’m really happy to hear it’s been helpful 🙏🙏

[@eugeneiii9564]

Cannot wait for the post section of this series!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Got to finish editing it first 💀

[@eugeneiii9564]

@@ScottPetersFilms Oh no....

[@nelsogrant]

Really appreciate your candor and how much you've shown in this series! It gives a great scope of production and is super helpful to see as someone who's building a small production company. Also the fact that you are willing to make these videos about such a stressful project is amazing. Really appreciate your authenticity and hope more people get to see these!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You're most welcome!

[@iamfemo]

Took me almost 20mins of watching this intensely to notice that the glasses you have on has one arm missing... That alone tells me you will stick with a thing without giving up. Welldone - this is quite informative.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I got them fixed the next morning :)

[@dospassosfilmes]

These are the most brilliant and educational videos... how arent these getting millions of views!?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Heard :D

[@douglaspcoelho4432]

HOW can you possibly make every video even better than the last one? INSANE storytelling. I felt like I was there with you guys! Cheers

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Douglas!!

[@taimosdailos8716]

New favorite Channel 🙏

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I’m very happy to hear it :)

[@wildfiresoup]

Honestly, these are SO SO useful and interesting. You've got time to do this for every shoot you do right?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

😂 It's a full time job on the side at this point... if these videos get more views and I get bigger sponsorships in the future so I can afford edit help I want to try and do more.

[@john2000l]

This is a phenomenal video. Having worked in this field over 40 years ago, the work and efforts seem to have become even more challenging these days. We had to wait for flights because we did not have as many available, because of weight we had to fly equipment over to the locations and pray that all of the bags would show up, and that the gear was not damaged because it could not always go with us. I applaud you and your team for putting this together, it is not always easy as Hollywood makes it out to be !

[@abhishilpa9101]

I can totally relate. We recently completed one feature length documentary which started off as the client telling her life story at various beautiful locations over four days of shoot. We showed her the first cut few weeks later and she was like 'who is going to watch me talk for an hour' . We eventually ended up shooting 30 interviews over period of next couple months. Then we had a mental block for about a month on how to process and present the 25+ hours of raw footage into an hour of fluent story. But what we have now, got us a full page article in a national daily. Thanks for sharing your stories Scott. I have been following your channel for a while now.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It can be a struggle at times, but well done for persevering!

[@alvinburrell]

I've loved each of this video series, it's rare to get this level of detail. I see you use one of my acting friends Masaya in some of your shots too...the man is built like a slim Terminator!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

A wonderful description Alvin 😂

[@DaveysRoom]

Incredible as always Scott. Appreciate the info you're sharing in this series!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

My pleasure!

[@FarmerE]

This is fantastic, thank you for sharing!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

My pleasure!

[@ian_mcfarland]

Terrific episode.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Ian 🙏 glad you enjoyed it

[@CornOffTheCobb]

These breakdowns are so rewarding and informative. Cant wait to see the rest of the journey.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Very happy to hear it :)

[@bseng]

I've been really loving this series Scott, your transparency has been really enlightening in regard to what roadblocks and curve balls you can still get when working on larger productions. I too am a fan of boomed audio, and the clean plates you got for your interviews really allowed you to capture some stunning looking interview frames! Also gotta love travelling with equipment, all the anxieties behind whether your equipment will get to the final destination and whether or not it'll be in one piece. Looking forward to seeing the episode on post production.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Happy to hear it, thanks mate 🙏

[@justinwilliams2919]

Thank you for the incredible detail and authenticity with the BTS series. One of the most insightful production series I've seen. And a masterclass is keeping your composure 😂

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It wasn't easy... I did a LOT of venting to poor producer Helen :)

[@DavidBlodgett]

I want to learn everything about this job. Smiling the whole time watching this.. this is amazing. Crazy how relatable this is.. Im not alone haha. True adventure this shoot was. The chaos makes it exhilarating.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad that our misery made for your enjoyment 😂😂😭😭🫠🫠

[@lukefrater]

Great video (and series) Scott! This absolutely captures the energy, fun, problem solving, and highs and lows of smaller crew traveling and filming! Thank you for sharing. The imagery looks great btw!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏🙏

[@aleksanderknudsen_dp]

Your glasses are broken. Thanks for the great and insightful content, btw!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

They’re fixed now 🤓

[@andilematomela2043]

made it to the end.thanks

[@danielduanetv]

I've had so many "great" projects be ripped apart by indecisive clients and end up vague shells of their former selves. Gut wrenching when that happens.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

💀

[@xXGEN3RALXx]

Could you a tutorial on how to do the plates for interviews. That was mind-blowing bit of information but id love to know how to do that well!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Gonna make a reel about it soon, make sure you follow my scottpetersfilms Instagram account 👍

[@brucegarrod]

Ohhhh mannnn.... That change of direction made my heart slump. Nothing like being halfway a project and getting a change from the higher ups to completely change things and make your stomach turn. It drives you potty and you have to wonder if they live in the sand. Commented before, but man, what a series. Big thanks.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It was a real heartbreak. Appreciate it Bruce! Thanks mate :)

[@hlvisuals]

Such an incredible insight, thank you for sharing, Scott. You and the team did a brilliant job!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏

[@mrharvest]

This has been an excellent series! I think the real takeaway and the biggest challenge was negotiations with the client. I hope that when you do more of these big projects you'll develop new strategies how to circumvent the issues (and of course share those with us)

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Me too... me too... it's difficult when I'm just playing a role... I think if I ran my own production company where I was less afraid to take risks and loose future work for everyone else I would be much firmer and try and weed out the rubbish parts of my past experiences before we can even land there. BUT there's always problems on productions and *problem solving* is a key part of the job!

[@robertdouble559]

"Pissing English Rain" my favorite underrated goth band.

[@alzibaba]

Phenomenal work, such a great BTS series, and boy, I feel ya with the boss scenario. We've been skewered with that one too, albeit in a different sector. Soul destroying. Tighter contracts have been our only solution, with clauses for changes once started, and associated cost frameworks built in, but there's never a perfect solution. Knowing more about the (top of the hierarchy) client's business strategy, being aware of potential curve balls, like buyouts and takeovers (been skewered by that one too...) and ensuring alignment of the project to their longer-term strategic aims all helps. But it ain't easy to truly know all that stuff. Gorgeous images 👏👏 can't wait for the next chapter!

[@storykingstudios]

love your videos and behind the scenes of how things really work!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏

[@mittaw]

Brooo!! This type of videos are amazing!!!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad you enjoy them :)

[@johnfay3047]

This is the only video I've seen that truly shows production as it is. There are a couple of good behind the scenes programmes with wildlife film makers but ive never seen my world captured so well. Good man yourself 👍 one question how did the plates with windows or daylight work out ?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks John 🙏

[@ScottPetersFilms]

All the plates worked out well, with a little feathering and the occasional tweak. I’m gonna make a reel on the process soon :)

[@johnfay3047]

@@ScottPetersFilms that would be great I’ve done plates in a controlled studio, never had the guts to try it on the road. So yes please go ahead and make another video in your same no nonsense honest fashion. 👍

[@DamianoPetrucci]

Awesome! Well done and thank you

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You're most welcome bro :)

[@melankolikfilms]

Clients, man. Been there. *shivers

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🥹

[@OuterEastLLC]

A very realistic overview of how shoots go. Thanks for sharing.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

My pleasure!

[@lorenzschuster6388]

This is awesome stuff. I love the series! Thanks for your work, to bring us along - so intereresting!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@markmaloney391]

Would love to see a breakdown of how you captured those plates. Maybe it's simpler than it seems but would be so worried about matching light levels as you remove neg/lights

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It's so simple. I'll add it to my reel making list for Insta just for you :)

[@andrewcapon4235]

Been loving this series man, i was so stoked when I saw this vid came out. Can't wait for the post production one!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad to hear it :)

[@Cinegavo]

Damn this whole things crazy impressive with the travel! I love the look of the clean plate shots, so wide and nice with the anamorphics. I'm always so scared the camera will move or something between both shots!😂

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Just got to be firm and make sure you don't have rapidly changing weather conditions. Also there's always the b angle... often my preferred shot on these!

[@damiansciberras]

This is such a good insight, an amazing piece of content to put together too! So much work, thanks for sharing it's incredibly valuable!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Damian 🙏 happy to hear it!

[@TimonBirkhofer]

Such a fantastic series. Thanks for giving us an inside look into your entire creative process!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You're most welcome mate :)

[@juanfantasma8053]

As someone aspiring to be a part of the world that you are sharing, this video is really inspiring lol

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad you found it inspiring and not off putting 😂

[@SimeonMihalkov]

man you're teaching me so many things in advance

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad to hear it!

[@gafferngrip5407]

Great video as always! Keep on swimming.

[@noahwalker]

Really nice video, I made it to the end and thought both pros and cons were great to see. There aren't many people sharing this stuff so I always greatly appreciate your videos.

[@Louis-JeanLaGrange]

These are such a great assets. Please keep them coming.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Doing my best :) Thanks Louis!

[@sebastianFZE]

Keep doing what are you doing, best content on KZbin right now!!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks Sebastian :)

[@byjunkuang]

Greatwork, looking forward to your next video.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thank you!

[@freshplugg]

I think you did a good job on this video. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to your craft.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏

[@Wrighteousbychris]

so helpful and interesting

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Very happy to hear it!

[@JacoxNovak]

Let's go! Was looking forward to part 3!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ProFilmmakers]

Great episode. Loaded with great insights.

[@siggiholm]

Great videos mate, and a massive bonus to see Dan’s pretty face 😂

[@ScottPetersFilms]

What a man

[@welchworks]

I’m really curious to see more of that probe lens shot. ✨👀

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I'm 99% sure I used one of them in the b-roll on either this or the last episode...

[@Jack-rm5jd]

LEGEND Thank you for the video

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You are very welcome Jack!

[@orrinsaintpierre2632]

absolutely amazing video, so interesting to see the actual real world process that goes into making things in this industry

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙏🙏🙏

[@MattieThompson-g6n]

amazing!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Thanks!

[@nathanielrosa1]

Well done! Now you see some of the crap account managers agencies have to go through. Makes one wonder if it's worth it, over 'just' directing or shooting. Who was your assistant on D1/2? ( @6:43 - he sat in on a shot setup )

[@АлексейМухин-ж3э]

Very informative video! Could you share why you chose the RED Raptors and Teradeks, considering there are more affordable alternatives for your purposes? Also, what sound equipment did you use, and did you synchronize it with the cameras only using Tentacle?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

We own REDs so that’s why we shot on them. If I had all the money in the world I’d own an ARRI Mini LF and if we’d have had access to 2 of those we’d have shot on those, but we didn’t. You can shoot any project on any camera, it’s the lighting, composition and colour grade that make the difference. We used a Rode Video Mic Pro into a tentacle and sync’d it all in the edit using Adobe Premiere’s sync feature.

[@darcydaviesfilms4281]

Amazing again Scott!! Can't wait for what's next :)

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Glad to hear it Darcy!

[@wildist]

Great insight, thanks for sharing. This confirms to me I'm much happier/more suited to being a solo videographer just working directly with smaller clients. It does limit the projects I can do, but then again I have no interest coordinating all these crews of people, tons of gear, and with all that money on the line. I'd be way too stressed. I also don't have to share out the budget for all these additional costs so can still make good money as I have low overheads.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Grass is always greener. There's deffo a lot to be said for the lack of dependability and different stresses that come with working solo!

[@AnotherCameraChannel]

I made it this part, looking forward to more!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🙌🙌

[@jamieandrei]

7:55 ZOMG! Incidental sound / noise, this always happens.. bugger!

[@cloudiow]

Thank you Scott for the latest series LOVED it! Is there a way to watch the end products somewhere?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Very pleased to hear it! You’ll have to wait until the final episode 😁

[@robertdouble559]

"Expensive Ball-ache" my favorite luxury S&M club.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

You're on fire Robert!

[@homer_cinema]

Loving these videos 🔥🔥

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Happy to hear it!

[@dilltakespics4849]

Could you breakdown how you budgeted for this kind of project?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I didn’t… I was the hired freelance director in this, not the producer or the production company :)

[@sarobinson23]

Wonderful breakdown! I felt like your plates idea was such a good call for your wides. Did you shoot those before talent sat in or after the interview was finished? For example the wide shot with the sun coming thru the building, I feel like I’d be sweating the whole time hoping there wouldn’t be some drastic change before the end of the interview. Plus with most shoots I’ve been on we need to get an ok from the client for positioning before we start rolling lol

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Always at the end 😬 always worked though :)

[@incolr]

Thanks for putting in the work on top of the work to share this process with us. What's your storage solution for this project?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Great question! Answer will be in the next episode :)

[@xelhacedric4501]

Would love to know about post production and pre production as well

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Post production episode is coming, but you can learn all about the pre-production in the previous episode on my channel :)

[@TJIzzy]

Loved this! What diffusion were you using in front of your lightdome? Was it semi structured? Looking for something like this.

[@xavierstapleton9780]

hey scott what case do you store your atomos sumo in for productions?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

I have a custom foam cut Peli, that takes up as little space as possible. Had the case made up for me by en-case.co.uk - by third iteration, I had something massive that took up way too much room in the van, then was literally using the box it comes in for about a year, then got this current case made up. It's sexy, I'll show you in a future video I'm sure :)

[@xavierstapleton9780]

@@ScottPetersFilmsgreat! what size of case did you use?

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

👍👍

[@9StudioProductions]

made it!

[@ScottPetersFilms]

🦸‍♂️

[@aaronthecameraguy]

These are fantastic Scott, thank you. Any chance you could tell me what those 4x4 diffusion materials you are using are? Looks like they are on a T bar and are pretty light weight / portable, could be pretty useful for my work, thanks again. Edit: This client, holy hell, what a nightmare.

[@ScottPetersFilms]

We used a combination of bits of material from the Manfrotto Skylite 2x2m kits, we rigged them without the frames when we weren't in the UK to save on space, normally just clipped of a mini boom arm.

[@jackdupree6507]

Amazing! How did you get the kit to Scotland if you took the train? nightmare isnt it with luggage on a train?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It was… but that’s exactly what we did :)

[@jonathangoodnow7857]

You can save an insane amount of money on baggage, at least in the US, by just making a media credential ID and bringing it with you to get that nice media rate

[@ScottPetersFilms]

It took us a few flights to find that out... 🥹

[@jonathangoodnow7857]

@@ScottPetersFilms the best $7 investment I've ever made

[@AustinaciousP]

Great video but.... how'd you break your glasses?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Fell off my face at the gym 😢

[@JanKeiferJaim]

learned a lot on this vlog @scottpetersfilms ! also, learned from experience, it's not a shoot when there's no problem arising. 😅

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Too true!

[@J-FX]

where can i watch the Documentary ?

[@ScottPetersFilms]

Next episode…