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Documentary formats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Documentaries come in many shapes and sizes, covering a huge range of formats. It\u2019s worth exploring all of the different options to find the approach that best fits your ambitions, resources and the kind of stories you want to tell. Some of the possibilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- One-off documentaries:<\/strong> A standalone film exploring a particular person, event, story or subject in depth.<\/li>
- Serialised documentaries:<\/strong> A larger story split across several episodes, allowing you to explore complex subjects in greater detail while keeping viewers invested in an intriguing narrative. This format has become synonymous with streaming services.<\/li>
- Themed documentary channels:<\/strong> Individual documentaries covering different stories but connected by a common theme, such as history, true crime, technology, sport, music or unusual subjects such as the paranormal.<\/li>
- Short-form micro documentaries:<\/strong> Short factual stories designed specifically for platforms such as YouTube Shorts, TikTok and Instagram Reels. These are typically focused on telling one specific story, idea or moment<\/li>
- Investigative documentaries:<\/strong> Research-heavy content exploring mysteries, controversies, scandals, unexplained events or subjects where there are questions that need answering. These are often on going where viewers can take an active role helping to shape the conclusion. <\/li>
- Documentary audio podcasts:<\/strong> Audio-focused storytelling. These can use narration, interviews, archive recordings, re-enactments, music and sound effects to tell the story without having to rely on visuals.<\/li>
- Personal documentaries:<\/strong> Stories built around your own experiences, interests, journeys or access to a particular person or place.<\/li>
- AI-assisted documentaries:<\/strong> An emerging and largely automated format using AI for tasks such as research, scripting, narration, visuals and editing. Due to the nature of AI you should take extra care to check for accuracy, originality, copyright and the value you bring to a subject. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You don’t necessarily have to choose just one format to focus on. You could, for example, produce a long-form documentary for YouTube, turn sections of it into short-form videos and use the same research to create a podcast episode. Think about which format or formats best suit your story, your resources and the audience you want to reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStart with a subject people will want to watch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alongside your documentary format you should aim for a subject or subjects that will appeal to an audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It helps vastly if your subject is something you’re interested in, but don’t stop there. Look for an angle that gives your documentary a reason to exist. Is there a mystery to solve, an unanswered question, an unusual and unexpected story or a surprising discovery?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s important to first research what other creators have already produced about the subject. Your documentary doesn’t necessarily need to cover something nobody has ever explored. You should however aim to add something original to the subject. This could just be the way you present the information or maybe you can approach the subject from a different point of view. Whatever you decide you should have a clear idea of how you intend to present your documentary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just remember: the subject will encourage someone to discover and click on your content, but it’s the way the story is told that keeps them watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research, research, research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe best documentaries are built on solid research. You should use multiple sources, check important facts and keep your research organised so you can return to information when you’re writing and editing. Never rely solely on information gathered using AI. As a documentarian you have a responsibility to present information that is true and not misleading or biased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When planing your content look for original documents, archive footage, photographs and recordings, and consider contacting people directly connected to the story. Keep track of where material comes from and make sure you understand the copyright and usage rights associated with anything you intend to include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most importantly, don\u2019t assume you know the story before you\u2019ve finished researching it. Your research may uncover a far more interesting angle, or reveal that there isn\u2019t a strong enough story to pursue. The more you learn before production, the better equipped you\u2019ll be to create a compelling documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Build a story and not a list of facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even factual content needs a strong narrative to keep people hooked. Think about your documentary as a journey of new discovery for the viewer. Anyone can use a search engine to find the answers to things or discover facts. Your job is to weave these facts and instances into an intriguing narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A simple structure might be hook \u2192 setup \u2192 question \u2192 investigation \u2192 discovery \u2192 conclusion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Give viewers a reason to keep watching or listening. Introduce intriguing questions, reveal information gradually and build towards a satisfying conclusion. This doesn’t mean manufacturing drama; it means presenting information in a way that naturally creates curiosity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put yourself in the audience’s position and consider what they need to know at each stage. Think about how they might react to key revelations, what they might feel and, importantly, what questions they could still have when the documentary ends. Try to anticipate these and make sure your conclusion provides satisfying answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plan your visuals and start gathering useful footage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhile a good voiceover often plays a pivotal role in a documentary, don\u2019t overlook the visual elements that support and enhance the narration. Interviews, location footage, B-roll, archive material, photographs, documents, graphics and screen recordings can all help flesh out your story, keeping the audience visually engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When filming, capture more supporting footage than you think you’ll need. B-roll can make narration more visually interesting and gives you more options when editing interviews. And if you are interviewing someone take cut aways that don’t feature moving lips. Nodding heads, over the shoulder shots and close ups of hands can make useful cut aways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also worth giving some thought to your title and thumbnail at this early stage. Understanding someones motivation to watch can help you clarify exactly what your documentary is promising and what visuals will be needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t underestimate the power of sound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With visuals taken care of it’s important you don’t slack on sound. Sound has the power to completely change the atmosphere and feel of a documentary. Make sure dialogue is clear and well recorded. Narration, as well as interviews and talking head elements should be recorded in as acoustically treated environments as possible. While some difference in audio tone and ambience sounds perfectly natural if there is a sudden shift this can be jarring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While dialogue clearly sets the narrative and provides the information, music, ambience and sound effects can help shape and reinforce emotional responses. These added elements can make your production considerably more immersive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Music for example can create tension, emotion or anticipation, while subtle sound effects can establish locations and add impact. Even silence can be an effective creative choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Serialised documentaries:<\/strong> A larger story split across several episodes, allowing you to explore complex subjects in greater detail while keeping viewers invested in an intriguing narrative. This format has become synonymous with streaming services.<\/li>
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