Producing : Finding a producer by Irena Huljak

Hi Irena,

I’m not a Lead in this area, but there should be other Lounges to find people and a format to follow for the Documentary. Have you checked your local library? I’ve found film music books from other libraries which are sent to the local library.

There is Screenwriting and YourStage to look into.

Check under the Lounges Menu for all the other Lounges which may help you also.

Have a great weekend!

K. Kennard

What specific questions do you have, Irena Huljak? I'm sure there are producers here in the lounge who would be happy to jump in and share some insights with you here in the comments.

Hi Irena Huljak. Can you share what the subject of your documentary feature is?

I highly recommend this Stage 32 webinar taught by Emmy nominated producer Betsy Schechter - lots of great insight in here: https://www.stage32.com/education?p=9106680807731

The subject is how technology has equalized the playing field for electronic artists ( as well as artists in general). As well as broken down the barriers for artists but also waterdown industry standards .

Ashley, my question is : documentaries don't usually find their story till after all the interviews are don't. So a treatment is the most important element to start with. And funding can come later

.I dont need to start looking for funding to do this film . We can just start doing it. And as we get bigger names interested, then possibly funding can com into play.

What are you thoughts in this.

A) If you have the means to shoot some quality footage and interviews, do a proof-of-concept short.

B) Reach out through your personal network of friends and filmmakers to meet with people in your area that might help with the project. Documentaries are a slow process, so it would help if you’re in the same city.

Irena Huljak, I don't personally have experience in developing documentary projects, I've always worked in the scripted narrative space. However, tomorrow, a long-time unscripted content producer with documentary experience, Timothy Kuryak, is hosting an Ask Me Anything event here in the Stage 32 Producing Lounge. You can pop over to this post and ask him questions in the comments, which he'll answer for you: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing/Ask-Me-Anything-AMA-Wednesday-5...

Thanks Ashley . This is great. Is there any specific time tomorrow..i didnt see it on the post. Or i just pop in and chat tomorrow?

Irena Huljak, you can actually leave a question or two now! He'll begin answering the questions tomorrow morning (pacific time) and will be popping in and out to answer them until Thursday morning. You can ask more questions tomorrow if the conversation prompts follow-up questions for you.

Hi Irena, I have a WW2 completed script that needs to be produced.

Wishing you all good fortune with the project, Irena. Having produced and directed a number of documentaries on science, the military, and aerospace I always went in with at least a half dozen questions, and then always opened the discussion up to whatever the person being interviewed might want to talk about that we had not thought of. Got some really interesting aspects that way. After all, they are presumably the experts.

Hi Irena, I've made documentaries, I would say talk to the people you're thinking of for the film, write a treatment based on these. chats. A broad idea of structure is important, it will inform your ideas and suggest what other material to use, and enable you to create an original film rather than just a film with good names talking. Also, if you're using music, if some is well known, investigate the rights cost early on, it may mean some is too expensive to use and you can re-think. You will need to get rights for all the music you use, distributors will need this, even if it's from a friend.

Good points, Geoff.

And along the rights lines, even given the "anything and anyone is open to filming regardless simply be being accessible to a lens", it's still a good idea to get Industry Standard Releases for both all the people and all the places you'll be filming. Given the current shake-ups in so many aspects of the media world it's something that may come up as you head into distribution. Wishing you much success on your project.

I've always wanted to talk about the subject matter and discussions presented in the commentaries and also based on my research on documentaries in general! Confirmations and opinions appreciated of course! "A narrator", one a "lead scientist", the other an "A list actor", narrating or discussing identical or same subject(s), which will get more attention and interest from an audience? There are "A list actors" that have done documentaries in the past and have achieved exceptionally well in the past, after of course revising, studying the relevant subject etc. My opinion, this is something to look into for the future!

Documentaries can be some of the most rewarding films to make. And can be done for as little as nothing to substantial budgets.

If you have people to interview, that cost nothing but time (unless you need to hire out crew).

My question to your question would be, what are you trying to do it for (budget wise)? How will you raise the funds? Where do you want to see it distributed?

If you figure those three questions out, everything else will fall into place.