How (and why) do you make a documentary film?

Standing out online isn’t easy. One thing that’s worked for me is pivoting to making films, but that’s a process most find pretty daunting. 

In 2023 LinkedIn reported roughly 4 billion weekly reactions on their platform. So there is a lot of noise to compete with. I started Tech Talks to drive engagement. But there are now more than 5 million other podcasts making it harder to get noticed.

So three years ago I sat down and asked myself, 

“What is so far outside the comfort zone of most organisations that we’ll catch the eye?”

On March the 14th 2023 we published the first docufilm in our “Tech Flix” series. 

I had never tried to make a film, presented on camera, or even considered the costs involved in the production of a film. I went to Rob Mallaband with a proposal: if we could make content that would look at home on Netflix or BBC iPlayer, on a tight budget, would he support the project? I got the blessing of my employer and we’ve now made five films, and are planning a sixth edition. 

I have learnt a lot in that time, going from script-writing novice/first-time presenter, to a point where we have screened our films at the Houses of Parliament here in the UK, at Columbia University alongside NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration , at Leeds Digital Festival, at TechNExt, at The National Robotarium , and soon at Web Summit in November.

I thought I’d try and get one or two of the key learnings down on paper should anyone want to start a similar project! Just to add; I am not professing to be an expert. I have zero training or ‘professional’ experience. This is stuff I’ve learned via experience and observation, and that’s enough for you to try too.

Lean Into Your Experience

I don’t know how you’re supposed to make a documentary. But I’ve watched loads, and I know what I like. I also have experience interviewing people. I didn’t worry about what a film should be structured like, I just wrote a narrative I found compelling and looked for people in my network I hoped could help me tell that story!

Know What You Need From Your Contributors

On a “Tech Flix” shoot I have one chance to sit down with a guest. Rigging a space (cameras and lighting) can take 90 minutes. So with travel etc, you’re basically looking at two interviews, maybe three per day. Max. Typically I can only afford to pay for 3 days of shooting time with SOUND&COLOUR (the production company I use), so I have to be really clear what I need from each session. 

I’d love to be more journalistic and let the interviews organically take me to unexplored places, but resources dictate otherwise. What you need to do is serious prep. Run your talking heads through the questions and their answers advance. If you do that during your script writing then you can be more naturally investigative. I also (where possible) turn to guests I’ve already interviewed on “Tech Talks” so I know what their views are likely to be. 

You cannot hope you get what you need from each person. The answers will be too long, and you might not get the bit that brings the story to life, causing you a headache in editing! 

Communicate Your Vision

If you’re working with a good director, they need to understand what was in your head when you put pen to paper. You won’t have a vast budget so making the most of the time you have together is crucial. On our shoots I talk to Chris Elliott about what I want a scene to look like, or the atmosphere I want to project. 

In our 5th film I talked about a shot where we see the transition of Vegas from day to dusk, and the lights coming on across the city. In advance Chris used Google maps to find suitable shoot locations. In Copenhagen on the 4th film I describe a ‘James Richardson Gazetta Football Italia’ cafe delivery sequence. Again Chris researched and reached out to cafes happy to accommodate these requests. 

Time is so pressured you need to be able to make sure the team you’re working with know what you want to achieve, and quickly.

Don’t Expect ‘Hollywood’

I have found myself in our sound man's hotel wardrobe (cheers Edward Eaton ), in the dark, my lower back aching, reading lines whilst surrounded by baggage, pillows, and duvets. Why? Because we wanted to get back-up VO (voice over) to use in the edit… just in case! 

You might be making a film, but you’ll be dodging the weather (“Dave, it’s about to rain, you really need to nail this one now!”), hacking solutions that get you what you need (the closet), and maybe finding members of the public asking you interesting questions. On the last project one ‘interesting’ lady attached herself to us and described working with Quentin (Tarantino). If we also had the opportunity, we ‘had’ to work with him too… It’s fun. 

If you embrace the random challenges and workarounds rather than get stressed about them, you’ll make a better piece of content.

Have A List Of Ingredients

You spend months researching and securing interviews. Then you turn up on location and someone tells you, “Actually, no, we’re not doing this”! 

What happens next? Yes there are people I want to interview, but it’s not always possible. On one film I knew I needed a CIO, a CTO, a policy-chief, a commentator from an AgriTech etc. So if you do get knocked off course, you know who you can turn to and get the voices you need to tell the story. 

Have an idea of who might be your back-up guests, and be prepared to shift gears quickly. It’s not ideal but you might only have 2-days so you have to think through your contingency plans.

Trust Your Team

You’re exhausted and you think you’ve nailed that tricky line to camera, and the director goes “no, we need another take”. 

That can be frustrating and disheartening, but you’re working with people who not only care about the project, but also their craft. You know that they’re pulling in the same direction and trying to help you achieve what you want. Plus they’re observing you on camera, they get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. Sure I have my own opinions (I hate autocue; I think my energy drops) and put those opinions forward, but you’re working with experts! Listen.

I am more than happy to answer any questions about the process of making a film, and if you’ve enjoyed previous editions then watch the latest ‘Tech Flix’ film on August 21st. It's being hosted on the Harvey Nash page and the link to the event is in the comments!