Documentary maker (Documentairemaker)
Information on this skill...
A documentary maker is a person who makes documentaries about a certain theme. For example, about a social topic or about other topics, such as making a nature documentary. As a documentary maker, it is first important to determine the subject and to do extensive research into it. The purpose of a documentary is to depict a situation or event in a broad perspective. It is possible that a documentary maker focuses on people in a documentary, but the subject can also be about situations that occur in reality. Just think of a subject such as environmental pollution or the situation in a prison. Conducting research into the chosen topic is an important part of the work. If there are people who are part of the documentary, it goes without saying that interviews will be discussed. This can also be the case when interviewing professionals in a particular field. It is possible that a documentary maker makes a documentary in-house or does so on commission. You work out the subject into a scenario and work together with others, such as a cameraman who is responsible for the recordings. A documentary maker is often on his way to locations to make recordings. They are often long days and it is also important to monitor progress. For example, if there are different locations to visit and if multiple interviews need to take place. It is therefore part of the duties of a documentary maker to select locations and make agreements. Furthermore, it is important to take a starting point from which a documentary maker tells the story.
Incidentally, it is not the case that a documentary maker can be regarded as a reporter. A reporter is more like a reporter who responds to current events and reports on news situations. When making a documentary, there does not have to be a relationship with current news, but it is often about deepening a certain subject or theme. Just think of a documentary maker who, as it were, as a nature guide, makes a documentary about a certain nature reserve or about animals to release a nature film. It is also possible for a documentary maker to make a documentary about history, such as about a war or about the history of a certain village. In that case, there may also be an educational purpose associated with it. In the context of doing research, there is a relationship with the profession of investigative journalist who conducts in-depth research. For example, if a documentary is made for which previous news items form the basis. A documentary maker is usually a director himself with regard to the artistic direction and works together with a cameraman. It may also be that a documentary maker is working as a film production specialist himself and is also his own producer of the documentary. Incidentally, there may also be a more extensive team with, among other things, an editorial staff member and editor who edits the images.
IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTARIES
Documentaries are important for several reasons, such as to provide depth in a specific theme. For example, it can be a subject, such as a dying craft to draw attention to it. It is then possible to let a craftsman speak and show him at work on screen. A documentary can also be about the situation in which the number or type of birds in the Netherlands is decreasing and what the background of that is. A documentary maker can then interview a birdwatcher for the making of a documentary. Often the purpose of documentaries is to draw attention to a certain situation or to raise a certain theme with a wide audience. Think, for example, of political topics, where a position of a politician is the starting point. Or a theme such as waterworks, in which a hydraulic engineer is closely followed. In addition to the goal of providing and sharing information with people in a targeted way, it is also the intention to raise questions. Or to let people take a certain point of view themselves on the basis of a documentary. Incidentally, there are also documentaries that are aimed at famous people, think of famous footballers or other top athletes who have played a significant role.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN A DOCUMENTARY?
It is important to provide background information in a documentary. In addition, it is important to make the content as interesting as possible for the viewer. It depends on the subject in which way this is realized. For example, it is possible to evoke emotions in the viewer in a documentary about nature. This can be done through the voice-over, but also by portraying situations that make a viewer emotional. With a documentary about people, it is ideal if they have a special story to tell. It is also important for every documentary to deepen and thereby tell fascinating and convincing information. A good documentary maker ensures that the viewer's attention remains constantly present. That is why it is important not to have boring images or stories told. The story must be good to get a positive opinion from a critic. It is not the case that a documentary maker can automatically be regarded as a filmmaker.
TOPICS FOR A DOCUMENTARY
All kinds of subjects are eligible to make a documentary about. It can therefore be about anything, where there are a number of popular topics to distinguish. Just think of a documentary that a documentary maker makes about the Second World War. This may involve interviews with Holocaust survivors, but also about Nazi hunters or about Nazis who played a cruel role in the war. Other popular topics include healthcare as well as music, sociology, crime, art and sports.
TASKS AS A DOCUMENTARY MAKER:
- Determine topic
- Doing research
- Scenario capture
- Create playbook
- Arrange interviews
- Select locations
- Record appointments
- Working with cameraman
- Travel to locations
- Travel to appointments
WHAT DOES A DOCUMENTARY MAKER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A DOCUMENTARY MAKER
There is no official training that trains to become a documentary maker, but the hbo-study Directing forms an excellent basis. This training fits well with the profession of documentary. For example, it is possible to follow the direction of documentary directing at the film academy. In addition, you will learn all the important aspects of making a documentary, such as writing a film plan as well as the production and camera position.
COMPANIES WHERE A DOCUMENTARY MAKER CAN BE EMPLOYED
A documentary maker can work independently as an entrepreneur, but it is also possible to work for a company. Think of a production company. It is also possible to make documentary films yourself and put them online for the public.
COMPETENCES DOCUMENTARY MAKER
One of the important competencies of a documentary maker is to be independent and to have versatile qualities. You do a lot yourself, from making appointments for interviews to choosing locations. Editing a documentary film can also be part of the work. In addition, creativity is of great importance to come up with ideas and make a film plan. Empathy is important if a person is central to the documentary. Furthermore, it is important to be punctual in fulfilling agreements and being good at social dealing with people is an advantage.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A DOCUMENTARY MAKER
Documentary makers usually come up with ideas themselves or are given ideas to make a documentary. In that respect, there is a good labour market perspective and especially if a documentary maker has the making of documentaries in his own hands. However, it is important to build a good name. Then you can grow into a well-known documentary maker who is often asked to make important documentaries.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY DOCUMENTARY MAKER
There is no concrete example of the salary of a documentary maker. The amount of income depends on many factors, such as the employer or client. The duration of the documentary films also plays a role, as does the number of documentaries that are made.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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Lea esta información sobre Documentalista en español.
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