How to make a documentary film.

Research relevant archival footage and ask interview subjects for old photos or videos.

Documentaries aren’t scripted like fictional narratives. Create a broad outline or storyboard to visualise the footage you need. “Sometimes I’ll write a storyline to help me envision the story or to help my stakeholders understand the type of story that I’m going for,” says Pence.

An outline builds trust with your subjects. “If you’re telling a story about someone’s personal experience, make sure they understand the story that you’re trying to tell so that you can get the appropriate access that you need,” says documentary filmmaker Erin Brethauer.

“Think ahead and think strategically, but you also need to recognise that sometimes things change, they don’t go as anticipated and you need to react and just go with the flow,” says Brethauer.

A small team creates a more intimate environment, helping subjects feel at ease and forget the camera. Brethauer explains, “We both film, so we usually have two angles on different scenes. We have Canon C300 cameras, which are great for documentary purposes because they allow you to run audio in-camera.”

For the best video quality and flexibility in post-production, Pence recommends shooting in RAW with the highest resolution possible. “Get the best camera available to you that you can beg for or borrow because your film is going to age so much better,” he advises.

Import virtually any video, audio format or resolution into Premiere Pro easily, including HD, 4K or even 8K. Use the Media Browser to navigate and preview files directly from storage so you can decide exactly what media to start with. Manage metadata with notes or markers to stay organised during a long documentary process.

You can use the AI-powered Speech to Text to quickly and automatically transcribe your footage in 18+ languages. Then, use Text-Based Editing to skim transcripts, search through extended interviews, leave notes and edit video by copying and pasting text—no need to listen to hours of footage.

Use Scene Edit Detection to identify key shots and add cuts to digitised or single-file archived footage, making it easier to rearrange for your documentary.

Achieve consistent colour with accurate skin tones across clips using AI-powered Auto Colour and match colour across multiple cameras with a click using Colour Match. Then you can enhance your documentary with creative colour grading to add emotion and depth.

Keep your audience engaged with a polished audio mix. Use AI-powered Enhance Speech to clean up voice recordings and reduce background noise. Maintain consistent dialogue levels with Loudness Matching and let Auto Ducking automatically lower music during speech.