CHAPTER 11

Shooting

Shooting with the story in mind means being prepared to get all the visuals you need to tell the story you think you want to tell, and being prepared for those surprises that are likely to make a good documentary even better. Who shoots, how, and with what, depends on a host of variables. Are you shooting on your parents’ farm or in the middle of a political campaign in a foreign country? Is the event you're covering something that happens every day, or is it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Are special skills or equipment needed to get the shots you need?

CREW SIZE

The actual configuration of a documentary crew can vary widely. At one end of the spectrum, a filmmaker as renowned as Spike Lee might set out with the kind ...

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