Making a Documentary From Start to Finish - Beginner Tips

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  • Опубліковано 29 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 136

  • @heyheyhey520
    @heyheyhey520 Рік тому +101

    DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A WORKING DP OFF SITE. THis is one of my favorite things about you! So Canadian lol.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +17

      haha, sorry about being sorry, eh bud! 🇨🇦

    • @TheTechnoPilot
      @TheTechnoPilot Рік тому +1

      Definitely agree when we have far to many film UA-camrs who only UA-cam!

    • @calebmarais1874
      @calebmarais1874 Рік тому

      Agreed

  • @meshachshakes
    @meshachshakes Рік тому +29

    "We are not competitors" that's what most of us struggle with on this part of the world at least, hence we slow down our growth by not working together.
    Well said Luc, love your approach.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +2

      Appreciate that! It's hard not to see others as your competition, but letting that go has been huge for me over the course of my career...there's lots to go around, but if you try to go it alone it's really hard

  • @natures_guardians
    @natures_guardians Рік тому +17

    Thanks this helps a lot. I’m 12 years old and I got a grant to make a documentary so I’m doing some research.

  • @ryansubjective
    @ryansubjective Рік тому +18

    Please do more videos like this. Your office is great, but seeing you in the field gives a unique feel and shows that you walk your talk. Great job man, i'm sure this took extra work.

  • @markbone
    @markbone Рік тому +4

    Love you Luc!!

  • @micahcrews
    @micahcrews Рік тому +8

    I think it is wonderful to see you working. It adds such authenticity to your videos. You are a working DP. It can't always be a perfect studio set all the time.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      Thanks!

    • @scotey
      @scotey Рік тому +1

      Beyond that, it's a fun real-world shot. I vastly prefer this to a studio setup.

  • @gogoldude
    @gogoldude 21 день тому

    Hi, about not being in the studio, dude that’s what sets you apart, anyone can sit in a chair and give advice, but being in the action is what I love about your channel! Keep it up!

  • @jeffreyhofmeister3103
    @jeffreyhofmeister3103 Рік тому +7

    Luc thank you for this information! It is always nice to see people do presentations outdoor of the studio. I understand that doing outdoor shooting is not the best, but it shows us that it is possible. As one who is getting their feet wet learning this stuff I feel like a sponge trying to learn and remember. Time will tell as I progress on this journey.

  • @Jona
    @Jona Рік тому +3

    I love your team spirit with other filmmakers :) and what a time to be alive to learn from real pros. So cool!

  • @moniquebeastie
    @moniquebeastie Рік тому +1

    1:36 More than cool with your videos being out of your office. The fact you’re a working DP is exactly why I keep coming back to your content.

  • @scottsteinlage7619
    @scottsteinlage7619 4 місяці тому

    Love your attitude about not having a scarcity mindset and working to build, grow and improve the film industry! Thank you for being so authentically you!

  • @aidandemolli
    @aidandemolli 2 місяці тому

    Too awesome. I filmed a board delivery with Jose for one more wave when I was just getting started in media production. So stoked to see his story continue! The coverage looks crispy!

  • @joey-bp9vn
    @joey-bp9vn Рік тому +1

    your videos and insight are second to none. i also see your uploading consistently and i urge you to keep going. this channel has potential to become big and i think it will be easier to do so with more broad, reaching topics. but the main point im making is that you have potential and your videos are great. thank you for what your doing and for your very valuable insight!

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      Thank you, appreciate you saying so! I plan to!

  • @sebastiantouma4965
    @sebastiantouma4965 Рік тому +1

    Amazing content Luc. 2 month follower and have learned so much. My filmmaking notebook is getting more full every monday thanks to you!

  • @jessicag7029
    @jessicag7029 9 місяців тому +1

    This was extremely inspiring...Thank you, and I look forward to seeing your new film:)

  • @gordonwebsterphotography
    @gordonwebsterphotography 8 місяців тому

    Great advice as usual Luc. I really appreciate your grounded approach to filmmaking.

  • @YoshTheGreat
    @YoshTheGreat Рік тому

    Thank you for your commitment to the craft and willingness to impart wisdom. Instant subscription.

  • @Mountsidemedia
    @Mountsidemedia Рік тому +1

    I really like what you said about it not being a competition, I've said the same thing time and time again about music, if it helps bring out creativity and collaboration and builds community it can only be a good thing :)

  • @Longpathwisdom
    @Longpathwisdom Рік тому

    Thanks!

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +2

      Thanks so much Jonathan, very generous and much appreciated!

    • @Longpathwisdom
      @Longpathwisdom Рік тому

      @@LucForsyth My pleasure, I don’t have a ton right now, but please have a coffee on me. Your content is top notch.
      “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
      Theodore Roosevelt

  • @YoungSlay
    @YoungSlay Рік тому

    I was waiting for that class to open. Thanks

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      It's going to be a bit still, but I'll absolutely let you know!

  • @RishavKumar28
    @RishavKumar28 Рік тому +1

    ❤ for both you and Mark Bone!

  • @malynicz_pl
    @malynicz_pl Рік тому

    that's liek the most knowledge packed in almost a second. thanks man, great chanel!

  • @johnclay7644
    @johnclay7644 Рік тому +1

    some good tips and advice, thanks Luc, informative content.

  • @Slicky_Slick
    @Slicky_Slick Рік тому +1

    Best filmmaking and cinematography teacher ever ❤

  • @tomblankenberg
    @tomblankenberg Рік тому

    Hi Luc, I really enjoy your videos here. Very good insights and pro tips presented in this calm and structured way. Very good. Thank you.

  • @llpreiss
    @llpreiss Рік тому

    Like always, Luc, your videos are packed with tons of great ideas. You're the real deal! Great to see you in your element, too. Wow! You ARE a working DP, like you said :) I especially appreciate your shout-out to AOD ( joined Module 1 last Spring myself) and the encouragement to be a community working together to make films, not competing. Watch out for the bears, the coming cold season, and hope to see your film this Fall.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      Thanks, appreciate that! Happy shooting my friend!

  • @shauncullen5038
    @shauncullen5038 Рік тому

    love your work brother!!! you need to make your own version of AOD and get it out there! i'd buy it in a heartbeat!

  • @Buck.Jolicoeur
    @Buck.Jolicoeur Рік тому

    Great insight. Very useful for me right now. Thank you.

  • @WhySteve
    @WhySteve 5 місяців тому

    Glad that the film finally released!

  •  Рік тому

    I appreciate these videos and but also really just want to say thanks for being vulnerable in this video and another (I think the one where you discuss whether AOD is worth it?) about still learning even though you have some impressive credentials yourself! Much respect!

  • @Brie_luv
    @Brie_luv 11 місяців тому

    I would like some advice on who is responsible for the opening credits and end credits?

  • @EdificationDevelopmentGroup

    Thank you for the video, the information was very useful!

  • @alaskalonghunters2990
    @alaskalonghunters2990 Рік тому

    Great input from an obvious pro. Sent it to our script writer for FYI. Loved your comment re making your wrtter co-director. My first work is called Alaska Long Hunters.

  • @larkin_doc
    @larkin_doc 7 місяців тому

    Thanks for the great advice, let me add one more thing. On personal non-commercial projects, you have to combine almost all the roles in the work on the film and because of this, a stupor may arise at some stage. For example, I always have a stupor when its time to sort all the footage and make the first version of the story. Therefore, I try to save some money to pay for a couple of working shifts for a good (it's important that a person is a really professional) editor/director. A professional can do a difficult stage of work in 2-3 days, which I would spend 3 months on (including procrastination) and then I can pick up the work and complete it. And besides, a anothers look at the story can be very useful and prevent many mistakes. So I advise all unexperienced filmmakers to consider at least a small budget for invited specialists in those parts of the work where can be problems.

  • @Architech9
    @Architech9 7 місяців тому

    We appreciate you!

  • @AkaBull
    @AkaBull Рік тому

    Sometimes different is good, no need to apologize for having a job buddy, and especially the job you make videos about 😊

  • @AkaBull
    @AkaBull Рік тому

    Im two states over from NY, would love to see this Doc when it launches.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      Awesome, I'll let you know!

    • @AkaBull
      @AkaBull Рік тому

      @@LucForsyth Sweet!!

  • @Bo_Hazem
    @Bo_Hazem Рік тому

    Wonderful video, motivational as well. Thanks for all the great tips!

  • @RokKadoic
    @RokKadoic Рік тому

    Man this is gold! I feel it :)

  • @mikojYT
    @mikojYT Рік тому +5

    No worries about the set up. In fact, if you are able to integrate more of the docu filmmaking process with some in field demos/lessons I'm sure everyone would love it!

  • @jamesharrison4272
    @jamesharrison4272 Рік тому

    Luc ~ How is the switch to DaVinci going? Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines, transportation, OhMy! That's the location budget eating beast. I use an older camper. Sure travel time is longer than a plane, but more interesting and if you don't want to own one you can rent for about the cost of a hotel. For extra spartan, tent camping is an option for short term. Also have an old 1984 28 foot fully contained boat. Try living on that with 4 people 2 weeks at a time! Yes a lot of extra time consuming work, but can easily save hundreds of dollars a day which adds up quick. Maybe no-glam but left with extra cash for some jam!

  • @charlypn
    @charlypn 9 місяців тому

    i'm interested about watching the documentary on your video ! do you have a link ?

  • @kineticimagerygroup
    @kineticimagerygroup 10 місяців тому

    Hey Luc! What are the details on that chest rig you’re wearing? Would love to snag one.

  • @christopherprince8094
    @christopherprince8094 Рік тому +1

    Love this video and your filmmaking! Such helpful tips!
    How long is this documentary you made? My wife and I in the pre/early production phase and are scouting out ideas of how long a story driven doc could be without being too long and drawn out. Do you have any tips?
    Thanks so much in advance!

  • @thelittledancingwolf863
    @thelittledancingwolf863 Рік тому +1

    I have two projects in mind. One is a very big documentary, involving learning 2 different languages, and traveling to a different country, as well as loads of research, and the other I can film in my hometown, I have a lot of background knowledge on, no new language required. This would be my first documentary. Should I just continue to focus on the big project, or, since it's my first film, create the smaller project first while still working on the large project to get a hang of how filmmaking works?

    • @GayCorvidae69
      @GayCorvidae69 7 місяців тому

      I would definitely say work on your smaller one first while learning those languages on the side and preparing more for your big documentary. Not only will this give you more time to properly prepare for your big project, you will have already learned some things from the first which will make your big project a whole lot better thsan diving intot he deep end with no previous experience. You’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you and you’ll continue to learn more on your way

  • @MyWedMedia
    @MyWedMedia 2 місяці тому

    I wanna watch this documentary, where can I find it? Thanks for the video.

  • @xpulsetraveldiary
    @xpulsetraveldiary 4 місяці тому

    Thank you

  • @jimsjourney9347
    @jimsjourney9347 7 місяців тому

    Thanks for the video. Which mic did you use for this video? The audio is very good.

  • @adriannache6504
    @adriannache6504 Рік тому

    Damn, that bear short scene made me jump! Thanks for all the tips!

  • @ThePlaceForThings
    @ThePlaceForThings Рік тому

    beautiful. love to know that you’re one of the AOD grant recipients

  • @FilmshooterOH
    @FilmshooterOH Рік тому

    Looks like a cool video. I'm a big fan of Mark Bone and his channel. I used his videos and soon yours in a video class I teach in Ohio.

  • @InfluencerNationmmg
    @InfluencerNationmmg 10 місяців тому

    Does sound design include the score?

  • @peterfritzphoto
    @peterfritzphoto Рік тому

    I love the change of scenery. Given the choice, I’d rather shoot all my videos outdoors. It just 57 times harder! 😄

  • @Cannobellfilms
    @Cannobellfilms Рік тому

    I have to ask you Luke as a beginner who is trying to set up pre-interviews with people who they never met before. How do you go about that and build trust

  • @stoolin9706
    @stoolin9706 Рік тому

    AOD film fest in NY! not sure the boys have made that announcement yet! 😮

  • @WhirlOmar
    @WhirlOmar 9 місяців тому

    What if you’re doing a documentary on a person who passed many years ago? In this case my ancestor, who was a popular important general in the Spanish war in Cuba. There is a museum about him, but I want to do a documentary about him, but I’d like to find the angle of the story. so it’s not just a chronicle telling or a biography.

  • @Udhyogkhadka
    @Udhyogkhadka Рік тому

    Thank you sir your teaching policy i love too❤❤❤❤

  • @tataisaac9994
    @tataisaac9994 Рік тому +1

    Thanks a bunch for the time you put into this, It hasn't been long I found you and I've learned a lot. Your approach is very practical.
    I'm a videographer and beginer Filmmaker in Cameroon and I look forward to sharing my work with you for criticism someday.
    Thanks again

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      You're very welcome, happy that it's helping!

  • @Just._Kel
    @Just._Kel Рік тому

    Anyone know where I can find his documentaries??!!!

  • @breathdynamics
    @breathdynamics Рік тому

    Great info

  • @StephenMcFadden
    @StephenMcFadden Рік тому

    audio sounds great.

  • @marcellaferrero9566
    @marcellaferrero9566 7 місяців тому

    Hi Luc. Thank you for the video. What are the legal aspects of a documentary? Like your character signs a form authorising you to make the documentary? Are there other forms? Do you need insurance to make a documentary? Have you made a video about this topic? Also how do you find tge characters? Like did you post on social media that you wanted to make a video about an injured veteran?Thank you!

  • @wakkowarner8810
    @wakkowarner8810 Рік тому

    When deciding on the price of your film do you factor in the cost of gear (like cameras and lenses and lights) that will be used on multiple films or do you only factor in the costs of things for that film (like set design etc.) and not things you’d always buy like food?

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      It depends...I'm lucky enough to own all the gear already, and since this is a project I wanted to make and not get paid for, I didn't need to factor in gear. Anything I didn't own, we borrowed from friends. But this wasn't a job, so it's a bit different. If it was an assignment from someone else, like the show I'm on now, then yes all of that would have to be factored in.

  • @thebro-fessornetwork3129
    @thebro-fessornetwork3129 Рік тому

    Superb!!!!

  • @peterfritzphoto
    @peterfritzphoto Рік тому

    This was so helpful, Luc. I was sitting in my garage, scripting my next video, when you said something that prompted a key revision, which I think will aid my story quite a bit. Thanks again! 👍🦘

  • @scottievee330
    @scottievee330 Рік тому

    I really like the outdoor deal. Looks great. Nice shot. What audio did you use here? Very clean.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      I used tentacle track e's and a Sennheiser 416...the forest moss helps to suck up sound!

  • @Infinite_suite
    @Infinite_suite 4 місяці тому

    Good stuff

  • @vogelbein
    @vogelbein Місяць тому

    Yeah. Releasing your film and no one watching it is really fun :D

  • @directorc4930
    @directorc4930 7 місяців тому

    i cant express ENOUGH how frustrating it is that I have to wait to get into this course just like AOD. like jeeeeez cmon maaan

  • @giosamigos
    @giosamigos Рік тому

    nice tips👍

  • @austinh7539
    @austinh7539 Рік тому +5

    Hey man shoot in the woods, I'd rather listen to a full-time DP than a full-time UA-camr, No offense to your UA-cam side or anyone's full-time youtube job. But knowing your a full-time filmmaker is helpful.

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +4

      Glad you don't mind it because there's at least 2 more months of wood content coming!

  • @RehmanPiyas
    @RehmanPiyas Рік тому

    Where can i watch the short film?

  • @Gaytotoso
    @Gaytotoso 10 місяців тому +1

    A documentary of a documentary

  • @Bradenwilliam_
    @Bradenwilliam_ 6 місяців тому

    Mark Bones the man.

  • @FlorenceRobbiano
    @FlorenceRobbiano 15 днів тому

    To me, AOD are not competitors because they are way too expensive 😬😂 Thank you for the video.

  • @AkaBull
    @AkaBull Рік тому +1

    Damn Luc, I can't keep up with your upload schedule 😅

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      Once a week, every Monday!

    • @AkaBull
      @AkaBull Рік тому

      ​@@LucForsythOh damn, looks like I'm the one with schedule problems 🤣🤣

  • @petemacinnes
    @petemacinnes 8 місяців тому

    is that bear pepperspray?

  • @the_meaning_of_love
    @the_meaning_of_love Рік тому

    Love your content ❤ But this video tells me something, there is no way to do a production like the one about Jose for 5k, as you did not pay yourselves and Erik (was Erik or Eros?). In that sense is a bit misleading IMO, as it’s giving the impression than is ok to not pay yourselves. I guess this is possible when filmmaking is a hobby and one is just starting out, but even with all that pre production and low budget production, the real production cost would be, what? 10k?
    love

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      Thanks! Well for me it's absolutely ok not to pay myself. This is a story I wanted to tell, and so did Eros, so we did it for free. Making projects you believe in for free is how to get paying jobs down the road in my experience. If a client asked me to work for free I would definitely say no, but for personal projects I generally don't get paid until later, if at all. The reward comes when the film is finished and people see it, which leads to paid work later, but if I expected to be paid for my personal films I'd never make anything! Sometimes I get enough of a budget where there's some left over, but 90% of the time I'd choose to spend the money on more production and crew and not on a salary for myself. I support myself through paid assignments, like the TV show I'm on right now, save money, and make the things I want on the side.

    • @the_meaning_of_love
      @the_meaning_of_love Рік тому

      @@LucForsyth Helli Luc 👋🏽 Thank you for explaining further, it makes a lot of sense, are the one who has the experience and I am just learning 🫶
      I just feel that it could have been even more educational if you could have explained that you were able to stay on the budget, even if tiny, because you decided not to pay yourself for the reasons you explain in this comment.
      Love 💚

  • @TrulyGodsSon
    @TrulyGodsSon 2 місяці тому

    I think its crazy to represent the budget of this project as if it were $5K without ever broaching the costs associated with camera + lens gear rental along with ancillaries such as lights. At the very least, it should been factored in for those documentarians who didn't own Red cameras, lenses and monitors.

  • @blankthoughts6862
    @blankthoughts6862 3 місяці тому

    what’s a DP

    • @embo_films
      @embo_films Місяць тому

      Director of Photography

  • @alloriginaltone
    @alloriginaltone Рік тому +1

    I would watch your stuff even if you filmed it in broken down car. Wait...

  • @echonovadesign
    @echonovadesign 5 днів тому

    'real money for normal people'

  • @isaacburke2370
    @isaacburke2370 Рік тому

    lets say your documentary is topic based and doesn’t follow one key character but multiple different characters and there really isn’t any one main character for the topic you’re trying to tell a story on. Can you still make a good film out of the topic?

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому +1

      Each of those characters should have a story. There are some examples of topical docs working, but generally they're exceptions. If you have a character, even if there's more than one, they should want something and be working towards it. They don't have to get it, they can also fail or not quite achieve the goal, but if your characters don't want anything it's tough to craft a story. You can still make a doc without these things, but it's much harder to hook an audience into caring. All that said and without knowing anything about what you're doing, maybe your topic is one of those exceptions - but it's rare.

    • @isaacburke2370
      @isaacburke2370 Рік тому

      @@LucForsythmm i got you, well in this doc, the characters definitely want something. Do you have any good examples for topical docs?

  • @stevenfilmco-8567
    @stevenfilmco-8567 Рік тому

    I could make something but I can't write a story

    • @LucForsyth
      @LucForsyth  Рік тому

      find a character first and the story will come out much more easily!

  • @uppsatskanalen4456
    @uppsatskanalen4456 Рік тому

    The fear of bear gives you an edge…

  • @VeganLinked
    @VeganLinked Рік тому

    This looks killer, but your film looked flat

  • @matyleyva
    @matyleyva 27 днів тому

    Hi that was a really nice piece of advice, I'm a beginner so I want to apply these tips asap. Thank u so much 🫶🏼🧡🧡

  • @edo_tokyo_
    @edo_tokyo_ Рік тому

    Working DP > UA-camr

  • @LoganRogers-z3j
    @LoganRogers-z3j Рік тому

    Like always, Luc, your videos are packed with tons of great ideas. You're the real deal! Great to see you in your element, too. Wow! You ARE a working DP, like you said :) I especially appreciate your shout-out to AOD ( joined Module 1 last Spring myself) and the encouragement to be a community working together to make films, not competing. Watch out for the bears, the coming cold season, and hope to see your film this Fall.

  • @MattHughes-z8q
    @MattHughes-z8q Рік тому

    DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A WORKING DP OFF SITE. THis is one of my favorite things about you! So Canadian lol.