Filmmaking requires a great deal of passion. Getting to know your lenses and finding the best shots takes time that most people might rather spend watching a movie than making one. If you love making movies and think modern documentaries are missing important subjects, why not cover them yourself? The things to know before making your first documentary are simple. Check them out below.

Choose a Subject You Want To Explore

Making a documentary can take more than a year. You want to make sure you choose a subject that will capture your attention for a long span of time. If the subject engages you, it will surely engage your audience for at least 90 minutes.

Research Your Subject

Don’t make the mistake of researching your subject while making your film. Do research ahead of time for several reasons. First of all, you want to see what others have said on the topic to make sure you’re bringing a fresh spin to it (or that you aren’t repeating what others have already said.) You should know something about your subject to ensure you come at it with expertise. The more you know from the beginning, the more you can find out as you begin filming.

Plan Your Story

Before you begin shooting, create a plan that includes your script and shooting schedule. These items will help keep you on target with your goals. Your script tells you who to speak with and how you want your film to look from start to finish. It will guide you as you tell your story through all stages of filmmaking.

Create a Shot List

In addition to a script, a shot list may help you keep your locations and images in line. You don’t want to miss an important shot or scene you need. Include the list of shots in your schedule so you’ll know the best time to capture them. Further, you’ll need to choose the best cinema lens for filmmaking to ensure you capture the clearest images possible.

Edit Your Documentary

Whether you learn an editing program yourself or hire someone with the necessary skills, editing your documentary is important. During the editing stage, you can add effects, music, and other production elements to bring your documentary to life. Good editing ensures your scenes are in the order you want and that they have good transitions.

Pro Tip: Hire a team of people—such as your friends or family—to help make your movie. From editing to filming to production, a team of people can make filming a documentary much easier than doing it alone.

Market Your Film

No one will know you made a masterpiece if you don’t tell them. Use social media and word of mouth to market your film. With simple graphic design tools, you can make movie posters for your film. Create a trailer to get people excited about the plot and aesthetic of your film.

Pro Tip: Find a film festival at which to showcase your first film. You never know who will be there to help you make connections.

The things to know before making your first documentary are to choose a good subject, make a plan, and market your film. Documentaries with good editing and production exceed people’s expectations at film festivals. You can stand out with one that’s well-researched and produced.