{"id":6521,"date":"2025-02-27T14:03:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T14:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/?p=6521"},"modified":"2025-07-02T13:46:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T13:46:59","slug":"getting-a-documentary-made","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/getting-a-documentary-made\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a Documentary Made"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/british-voice-over\/#author-guy-michaels\">Guy Michaels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Documentary Made<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The documentary genre has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 21st century. This growth is driven by several key factors, including the increased accessibility provided by streaming platforms and the enhanced production quality now prevalent in documentary filmmaking. As a professional voice actor, I recognize the power of authentic storytelling, and it is this very authenticity that resonates with modern audiences. In an era where information is readily available, documentaries provide in-depth explorations of real-world subjects, fulfilling a growing demand for genuine and impactful content.  In short, we LOVE documentaries!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Getting a Documentary Made\" class=\"wp-image-6523\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting a documentary made is a collaborative art<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:10px;font-size:18px\"><blockquote><p>At the time of writing this, I&#8217;m collaborating with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/corporate-storytelling\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"186\">documentary filmmaker<\/a> who has worked on BBC, Discovery and National Geographic productions.  Much of my work has gone out on these channels over the years but this time around I&#8217;m working directly with the creator of the project.  He has personally financed every aspect of his new doc which is now with the distributors.  It was very beautifully shot and accompanied with a lovely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/writing-useful-scripts-for-voiceover-artists\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"139\">script<\/a>.  It has been my pleasure to help to tell the story.<\/p><cite><strong>Guy Michaels &#8211; February 2025<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The digital age has unlocked opportunities for skilled creators to bring their imaginings to life, and documentaries on platforms like YouTube can gain a far larger audience than traditional TV.  If you&#8217;re passionate about a subject and want to share it with the world, creating a documentary can be an incredibly rewarding experience.  &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Documentary Filmmaking Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-1024x953.png\" alt=\"British Male Voice Over Artist Guy Michaels\" class=\"wp-image-6524\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-1024x953.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-300x279.png 300w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-768x715.png 768w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-1536x1430.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Getting-a-Documentary-Made-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-2048x1907.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Getting a documentary made<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find Your Story: Tell the Story You Want to Tell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in making a documentary is finding a story that resonates with you. <sup><\/sup> It could be a personal story, a social issue, or a historical event. <sup><\/sup> The key is to choose a story that you&#8217;re passionate about and that you believe will engage your audience. <sup><\/sup> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research and Planning: Make a Documentary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have a story, it&#8217;s time to start planning your documentary. <sup><\/sup> This includes conducting in-depth research, developing a narrative structure, and creating a production schedule and budget. <sup><\/sup> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Production: Shoot Your Documentary Film<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The production phase is where you bring your vision to life. <sup><\/sup> This includes filming interviews, gathering footage, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/recording-voiceovers\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"138\">recording voiceovers<\/a>. <sup><\/sup> It&#8217;s important to capture a variety of shots from different angles and distances to create a visually compelling film. <sup><\/sup> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Narration: The Voice of Your Documentary Film<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can already tell, there are many aspects that come together for getting a documentary made.  The narration is a crucial element of any documentary, as it guides the viewer through the story and provides context and information.  The right narrator can elevate your documentary to new heights, while the wrong one can leave viewers feeling disengaged or confused.  &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing a narrator for your documentary, it&#8217;s important to consider their voice quality, delivery style, and experience.  Their delivery style should match the tone and pace of your documentary, whether it&#8217;s serious and informative or lighthearted and entertaining.  &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>An experienced narrator will be able to bring your script to life, adding depth and emotion to the words. <sup><\/sup> They&#8217;ll also be able to work efficiently and collaboratively with your production team. <sup><\/sup> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a professional British narrator for your documentary, I&#8217;d be happy to discuss your project and provide a custom audition. Find more information about my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/voiceover-services\/documentary-narration\/\"><strong>documentary narration services<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In a previous blog post, I discussed the importance of choosing the right narrator for nature documentaries: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-british-voice-over-artist-guy-michaels wp-block-embed-british-voice-over-artist-guy-michaels\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"aQKb7bA2jY\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/voicing-a-nature-documentary\/\">Nature Documentary Narrator<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Nature Documentary Narrator&#8221; &#8212; Guy Michaels - British Voice Actor\" src=\"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/voicing-a-nature-documentary\/embed\/#?secret=y026F9KveV#?secret=aQKb7bA2jY\" data-secret=\"aQKb7bA2jY\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe that the right narrator can make all the difference in the success of your documentary. They can help you tell the story you want to tell in a compelling and engaging way, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post-Production: Editing Your Documentary Film<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Post-production is where you assemble your footage, add music and sound effects, and create a final cut of your documentary. <sup><\/sup> This is also where you&#8217;ll add any necessary voiceovers or narration. <sup><\/sup> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distribution:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your documentary is complete, it&#8217;s time to share it with the world.  This could involve submitting it to film festivals, releasing it online, or screening it in a cinema.  Check out distribution companies like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.offthefence.com\/Home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Off the Fence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting a documentary made can be a challenging but rewarding experience.  By following these steps and paying close attention to the crucial role of narration, you can increase your chances of producing a successful and impactful film that resonates with your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More resources for the documentary filmmaker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Documentary Filmmaking: The Ultimate Guide:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/classes\/ken-burns-teaches-documentary-filmmaking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/classes\/ken-burns-teaches-documentary-filmmaking<\/a> &#8211; This comprehensive guide from Masterclass covers all aspects of documentary filmmaking, from finding a story to distribution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Getting distribution for your film:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/features\/commentary\/film-distribution-basics-how-to-get-your-film-seen-1235008370\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/features\/commentary\/film-distribution-basics-how-to-get-your-film-seen-1235008370\/<\/a> &#8211; This in-depth guide from IndieWire provides a step-by-step approach to documentary filmmaking, with tips and advice from industry professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>The Documentary Filmmaking Process:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/nofilmschool.com\/topics\/documentary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/nofilmschool.com\/topics\/documentary<\/a> &#8211; These articles from No Film School breaks down the documentary filmmaking process into manageable stages, offering insights and resources for each step.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Guy Michaels A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Documentary Made The documentary genre has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 21st century. This growth is driven by several key factors, including the increased accessibility provided by streaming platforms and the enhanced production quality now prevalent in documentary filmmaking. As a professional voice actor, I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[43,41,42],"class_list":["post-6521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-voiceover-production","tag-documentaries","tag-documentary","tag-narration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6521"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7255,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6521\/revisions\/7255"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}