Many don't know what they need or where to start when looking to get their documentary ideas off the ground.

Your idea may be exactly what you want to show to the world, but don't get too caught up in the message. You need to make your story compelling, remember you're pitching for investment, the potential investors are going to want to back something that will make a profit. You need to think how you want your audience to feel when they watch it, so it's also a good idea to think about who your demographic may be, and where the documentary will be shown.

You have your show stopping idea, and now you need to get the ball rolling on getting financed. You need a good team around you. Gather a few people who will be enthusiastic and passionate about the documentary, some with good "business heads" to help with the pitching and others who are industry professionals to give you advice. If you can get someone with contacts in the area you are pitching on board, even better!

Don't underestimate the power of social media. If you can gather hype about the documentary this will really help your fundraising case. You are showing there is already a demand for it, and if there is a demand for a product the sales will follow. It will be the shining point of your funding pitch. Plus you already have your audience lined up when you release the production. 

'Death by powerpoint' is a well known thing, so don't commit it. It comes with serous consequences, it will put your financiers off backing your production. The chances are you are not the only one who is going to be pitching to them, so stand out from the crowd. You are a creative so use your skills. Make a trailer that is gripping and toe curling, and if you can't do that tell them a story that they can't wait to be a part of.

Don't forget that your track record matters, no one will hand over big budgets to a novice, so make sure you have the right team on board to make up for your lack of experience. If you are a seasoned documentary filmmaker then remember to stay humble and stick to the story. 

But the most important point is not to loose your fire. You wanted to make this documentary for a reason, and finding funding is a full time job. It can take months or even years. But don't loose sight of what you're trying to achieve, keep pushing and the right backing will come at the right time for your project.

Good luck.

www.dragonsegg.tv

Here are your exciting Friday Favourites! And they are exciting, we have three visually stunning documentary films to transport you to exotic and breathtaking places. 

Watch the above trailer for this brilliant non narrative documentary and find out more about it here: http://www.barakasamsara.com/samsara/about

The maker of Baraka went on to do the above mentioned Samsara. They have a clear style, so captivating! The makers also shot both documentary films on 70mm film making the productions even more surreal.

http://www.barakasamsara.com/baraka/about

Ashes and snow has a strong theme throughout, it's reflected in the use of colours and movements.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493393/

All of these documentaries are a must watch for budding (and experienced) filmmakers, use them to inspire you for your next project. Take them as a learning that the world we live in is colourful, different, unusual and simply beautiful. 

So go out there and film it!

www.dragonsegg.tv

Documentary: "Using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject" - Oxford Dictionary


Documentary is one of the oldest formats on television that is still popular today. Because of it's versatility you can produce a documentary on any subject. From Ancient Rome to a call centre in Swansea, learning about life, the planet, the history of us and contemporary life has been explored, filmed and broadcast for many viewers to see. Using documentary as an educational tool has been thoroughly exploited. There's something that little bit more romantic and imaginative about showing a documentary on the Pre Raphaelites than reading about it in a text book. 


Documentary brings out the voyeur in us, with our arguably unhealthy obsession with looking into people's lives. We ask why, but it's simply human nature. The Greeks sculpted stunningly breathtaking statues of us, Shakespeare wrote plays on the intricacies of the human psyches and the human conditions, and we, who live in the digital age, film it.

With the rise in the use of Drones, we thought it only fitting to mention it in this weeks Working Wednesday post.

Drones are great because they can achieve shots that we would otherwise find hard or a lot more expensive to get. This also means that we can incorporate these shots into our storyboards and make for a much more interesting, exciting and beautiful production to watch.

Many people are using them as an exploration tool as well. For example Channel 4 are coming out with a series of shorts called "Drones in Forbidden Zones". As seen below, these show places that are either too dangerous or forbidden for people to enter - Especially with camera equipment!

Good afternoon all, 

It's that time of the week again, Friday Favourites.

Of course coming in at No.1 is our trailer for the soon to be released music video 'Touch U' by Yashar Gasanov and Igor Arhipov. We shot this video in Belarus last month and have been adding some finishing touches to it back here in London. 

The official release date is soon to be confirmed.

Thought you were original? Think again. Everything from technology to creativity is an idea that has been taken, adjusted and sold on. This documentary is definitely worth a watch.

I never knew the story of a watch could be so captivating. But this really is, you almost forget you are watching an advertising campaign as you get so wrapped up in the story.   

Have a good weekend!