Film making includes feature films, documentaries, newsreels, promotional films, TV commercials, music video etc. If you want to make a career in documentary film making you can opt any of the above mentioned areas. Filmmaking and film production has courses to train an individual about the intricate art form involving a thorough understanding of human psyche, collective consciousness and the contemporary global scenario.
Documentary film making is informative and generally made for creating awareness in public. Freelancers here may either be commissioned by an organization to make a film or may choose a subject and make the film and then market it. Duties of such film makers are to meet clients and present proposals for films or choose a subject for filming on their own. They research the subject through books, Internet and personal interviews. If required they also travel to meet their satisfaction level in performing research. They also need to manage the funding for the film either on themselves or by finding a producer or an organization that can sponsor the film. Once the funding is ready, they work to prepare the script; hire camera people and equipments for the making of the film. Their major tasks are scheduling the shoots and the locations with camera people, relevant authorities in each location and the people being interviewed. They then shoot the film in various pre-decided locations. They supervise and coordinate the editing and final form of the film. If needed, market and promote the film in relevant forums.
Documentary film makers are people highly devoted towards work. They have to work long hours and even have to travel a lot. If you want to make a career you will require a lot of stay away from home. They also have untiring long hours of rehearsals and shoots with unpredictable sleeping patterns. This creative people are the one who are deeply interested in people, society, relationships and ideas. They use their sensitivity in perceiving situations and in expressing ideas. They are among the intellectuals who are able to take a stand and persuade people to move towards the director’s vision. They are able to work in a team with diverse people, often under high stress or even emotional situations. At times they have to handle unpredictable, last minute situations that could be location or schedule-specific or even moods of team mates.
If you think you all the above qualities and are an alert and knowledgeable in all technical aspects of film making including camera, editing, lights, sounds, make up and acting you can certainly make good in the career of documentary film making.
