Documentary Filmmaking from Scratch

Begin by getting to know Jose and Rene. Hear their unique stories about how they each began working in the film industry. They explain how they founded JRVisuals in London before sharing the films and series that inspire them most.

Get an overview of filmmaking. Jose and Rene discuss how filmmaking has evolved in the age of the internet, and cover the phases, structure, and narrative units of a film. Learn about documentaries as a genre and see the different cinematographic elements that set it apart.

Next, Jose and Rene go through everything to take into account before the shooting. Discover the creative process behind choosing and exploring the subject of your film. Get familiar with what to consider when location scouting in terms of lighting, sound, logistics, and other technical aspects. Then, put everything on paper and start defining the film you want to make.

Get a walkthrough of the production stage by understanding the components of a lens and seeing what equipment is needed. Then, Jose and Rene cover the fundamentals of lighting. Go over camera settings to adjust exposure, ISO, intensity, and more. Hear Jose and Rene’s tips and tricks for having the perfect interview and how to implement b-rolls, or inserts, to complement your documentary.

Dive into the post-production phase and bring everything together. Learn the principles of editing by seeing how to organize your footage, mix sound, and color grade. Once you’ve finalized your documentary, see how to export your work into different formats and share it with the world.