I have an idea for what I think would be a great documentary. The format could be used as a book also, and I think it would be successful. If you were in the same position, what what you do first, the book or the film?
What do I do?
- Thread starter Ryanathome
- Start date
I'm a filmmaker, not a non-fiction writer, so I would make a movie.
What would YOU do?
Book. Remember, this forum is likely filled with non-book readers so your answers may be biased/slanted/warped! 
Book. Remember, this forum is likely filled with non-book readers so your answers may be biased/slanted/warped!
…are we not capable of both watching films and reading books?
…are we not capable of both watching films and reading books?
The books are almost always better.
…are we not capable of both watching films and reading books?
I sometimes put the subtitles track on. Does that count?
I think this is a common misconception based on a series of high-profile cases. I actually think that when you look at the number of movies that are adapted from half decent books then you'll see that the ratio is pretty even.
Remember that Stand by Me, The Shining, Shawshank Redemption...etc are all adapted from stories by Stephen King.
Put it down on paper first.
Script (copyright it if you can) or create an outline to work from. Break it down for adding new thoughts. Make it clean and exact in your head -- what you want to do. Then shoot it.
You can copyright a script BUT not an idea.
Script (copyright it if you can) or create an outline to work from. Break it down for adding new thoughts. Make it clean and exact in your head -- what you want to do. Then shoot it.
You can copyright a script BUT not an idea.
99% of documentary films are made from a book? Without any research
or much thought I can think of many, many documentaries that did
not come from a book. At the moment I cannot think of even one
documentary that was based on a book.
It’s interesting that all of you suggest writing a documentary book before
making a documentary. Help me here. What documentaries were adapted
from books?
or much thought I can think of many, many documentaries that did
not come from a book. At the moment I cannot think of even one
documentary that was based on a book.
It’s interesting that all of you suggest writing a documentary book before
making a documentary. Help me here. What documentaries were adapted
from books?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_non-fiction_works_made_into_feature_films
"Please note: This list does not include documentary films that are based on real events and people which are not based chiefly on a written work. For other documentary film categories, see documentaries."
This statement indicates there are documentary films based chiefly on written work, there's just no wiki list of them.
Writing a non-fiction, documentary-style book is a ridiculously lengthy process of researching, investigating, recording, and synthesizing information.
Facts about people, places, dates, and events need to be verified.
Complex issues often need to be conceptualized and distilled into simplified models, linear or holistic.
Whenever the preliminary draft is completed an editor pours over it, marks it up, sends it back.
Author re-writes, corrects, deletes, clarifies, re-submits.
Repeat process.
Every 6hr book that has been made into a 2hr film had scores of information left out.
It's better to work from a book because those people interested in reading about the subject will provide input for how to make a (likely more expensive) documentary film better.
SIDEBAR: FWIW, The "WhoTH ever heard of making the film first?" was directed at the OP, not at you, Rik.
The location immediately below your opposing viewpoint was unfortunate.
"Please note: This list does not include documentary films that are based on real events and people which are not based chiefly on a written work. For other documentary film categories, see documentaries."
This statement indicates there are documentary films based chiefly on written work, there's just no wiki list of them.
Writing a non-fiction, documentary-style book is a ridiculously lengthy process of researching, investigating, recording, and synthesizing information.
Facts about people, places, dates, and events need to be verified.
Complex issues often need to be conceptualized and distilled into simplified models, linear or holistic.
Whenever the preliminary draft is completed an editor pours over it, marks it up, sends it back.
Author re-writes, corrects, deletes, clarifies, re-submits.
Repeat process.
Every 6hr book that has been made into a 2hr film had scores of information left out.
It's better to work from a book because those people interested in reading about the subject will provide input for how to make a (likely more expensive) documentary film better.
SIDEBAR: FWIW, The "WhoTH ever heard of making the film first?" was directed at the OP, not at you, Rik.
The location immediately below your opposing viewpoint was unfortunate.
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I was going to put this up but looks like I got beat by rayw ...documentary movie made from books taken from wiki...
My point above is write it out on paper so you know where you want to go with your docu...
Cover your butt and make it the best you can with a clear direction.
My point above is write it out on paper so you know where you want to go with your docu...
Cover your butt and make it the best you can with a clear direction.
He didn't say he had an idea for a non-fiction film or a
documentary-style film. He said he has an idea for a
documentary. I don't see even one documentary on that
list. They are all narrative films based on factual events.
I guess I misunderstood the question. It seemed to me
Ryanathome said he had an idea for a documentary. I didn't
realize he was asking about making a narrative movie based
on non-fiction book.
documentary-style film. He said he has an idea for a
documentary. I don't see even one documentary on that
list. They are all narrative films based on factual events.
I guess I misunderstood the question. It seemed to me
Ryanathome said he had an idea for a documentary. I didn't
realize he was asking about making a narrative movie based
on non-fiction book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jul/24/project-nim-chimpsky-chimpanzee-language
"Marsh, 48, fresh from the Oscar success of Man on Wire, was looking for a new documentary subject when his producer came across The Chimp Who Would Be Human, Elizabeth Hess's book about Project Nim, which he thought had potential."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/oct/09/joyce-vincent-death-mystery-documentary
A looksee over the article indicates most of the subject's life (and death) had been documented in text. The filmmaker took those notes, added to it, and made her own documentary.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/...ocumentary-national-geographic_n_1202506.html
"The National Geographic Channel is getting a dose of Bill O'Reilly. The cable network is turning O'Reilly's biography of Abraham Lincoln into a two-hour documentary, according to the Hollywood Reporter."
http://www.eji.org/eji/node/605
" The acclaimed book has been made into a new PBS documentary that will air tonight on stations across the country."
http://www.forksoverknives.com/fork...lin-campbell-ph-d-and-caldwell-esselstyn-m-d/
" The research from two world-renowned experts, biochemist and co-author of The China Study, Dr. T. Colin Campbell Ph.D.,... which led to the life-changing documentary, FORKS OVER KNIVES."
Random resources:
http://videoproductiontips.com/making-a-documentary-where-to-start/
http://www.scriptmag.com/features/writers-on-writing-documentary-filmmaker-kevin-knoblock
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/117509.aspx
"Marsh, 48, fresh from the Oscar success of Man on Wire, was looking for a new documentary subject when his producer came across The Chimp Who Would Be Human, Elizabeth Hess's book about Project Nim, which he thought had potential."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/oct/09/joyce-vincent-death-mystery-documentary
A looksee over the article indicates most of the subject's life (and death) had been documented in text. The filmmaker took those notes, added to it, and made her own documentary.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/...ocumentary-national-geographic_n_1202506.html
"The National Geographic Channel is getting a dose of Bill O'Reilly. The cable network is turning O'Reilly's biography of Abraham Lincoln into a two-hour documentary, according to the Hollywood Reporter."
http://www.eji.org/eji/node/605
" The acclaimed book has been made into a new PBS documentary that will air tonight on stations across the country."
http://www.forksoverknives.com/fork...lin-campbell-ph-d-and-caldwell-esselstyn-m-d/
" The research from two world-renowned experts, biochemist and co-author of The China Study, Dr. T. Colin Campbell Ph.D.,... which led to the life-changing documentary, FORKS OVER KNIVES."
Random resources:
http://videoproductiontips.com/making-a-documentary-where-to-start/
http://www.scriptmag.com/features/writers-on-writing-documentary-filmmaker-kevin-knoblock
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/117509.aspx
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The book will be easier on your wallet. Trust me on this very important consideration. Even self-publishing is more affordable than making a film.
Thanks for the research, ray.
I know of many documentaries made after reading news stories (the
Joyce Vincent/Carol Morley story) it’s helpful to see a few made
from books. I’m still not convinced that 99% of documentaries are
made from books. And, no; I do not expect you to find more, but I
can site 50 docs that were not based on books to these four.
I know of many documentaries made after reading news stories (the
Joyce Vincent/Carol Morley story) it’s helpful to see a few made
from books. I’m still not convinced that 99% of documentaries are
made from books. And, no; I do not expect you to find more, but I
can site 50 docs that were not based on books to these four.
