There's never been a better time to be a filmmaker!
Welcome to Desktop Documentaries. Are you ready to turn your dreams of being a filmmaker into reality?
Do you love making films and videos?
Do you have a story the world needs to hear?
We've been making films, documentaries and videos for more than 20 years and this site is dedicated to nurturing, teaching and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.
Here's what you'll find on this site:
DIY Filmmaking Tips
Articles to help you raise the crucial funds for the project
Distribution advice and much more
What was once reserved for an elite few, making documentaries is now within reach of anyone with access to a camcorder and the internet.
Heck, you don't even need a camera! Download stock footage off the internet and "mash up" your own unique film using free video editing software.
Don't let the filmmaking process or the big film guys intimidate you!
YOU have a story worth telling.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from French film director Robert Bresson:
"Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."
Whether it's highlighting a local sports team, documenting a mental illness center or following your own life's story, making a documentary today is limited only by your imagination and determination.
Featured Documentary | January 2012: "Sing Your Song"
Opening in New York theaters January 2012, SING YOUR SONG surveys the life and times of singer/actor/activist Harry Belafonte. A film by Susanne Rostock.
NEED MONEY FOR YOUR DOCUMENTARY? Pitch your documentary idea like a pro.
Tiffany Shlain's CONNECTED is part doc, part narrative, and part something completely different. All of us can relate to this one!
Featured Doc | November 2011: "After Happily Ever After"
AFTER HAPPILY EVER AFTER is a humorous yet thought-provoking film about modern marriage. We chose this doc because it's a great example of a film told from a personal point of view. Read our interview with the film's director, Kate Schermerhorn.
Featured Doc | October 2011: "Hell and Back Again"
Photojournalist and filmmaker Danfung Dennis reveals the devastating impact a Taliban machine-gun bullet has on the life of 25-year-old Sergeant Nathan Harris. Buy DVD
Featured Doc | September 2011: "Resurrect Dead"
Follow the mystery of the Toynbee Tiles in this spooky doc that tries to piece together why cryptic tiled messages about resurrecting the dead have been appearing on city streets for thirty years. Watch Instantly: Full Documentary
Featured Doc | August 2011: "Liberia '77"
Follow Canadian brothers Jeff and Andrew Topham back to their childhood home in war-torn Liberia where they discover not only old friends, but a sad truth.
Featured Doc | July 2011: "Life In A Day"
This amazing film is a result of thousands of people around the world uploading videos to YouTube capturing their lives on one single day - July 24, 2010. Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald and his team whittled 4500 hours of footage into an extraordinary 90-minute film.
Join the Filmmaking Community
If you already have a trailer or completed movie, make sure to submit it as part of our Worldwide Doc Showcase and promote your project to the thousands of visitors who come to this site every month. And pitch your story ideas here.
If you have a specific question, submit that in our Q & A section.
And if you've seen a great doc lately or have equipment advice for other filmmakers, make sure to leave a review.
We also want to know about your current filmmaking project and how we might be able to help you. Fill out a quick 1-minute survey.
You can also sign up for our RSS feed and get alerts when we post something new to this site. You can see all the latest articles on our "What's New?" blog feed.
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Behind The Scenes (BTS) Webisode 1: "The Making Of A Documentary"
Sometimes, the best way to learn is to watch the experts. Follow Director T.C. Johnstone and his team to Africa for the final 18-days of shooting of the doc film "Rising From Ashes" about Rwanda's first national cycling team.
Produced by the fantastic team at Zacuto Films.
Documentary Director Victor Kossakovksy’s 10 Rules of Filmmaking
Don’t film if you can live without filming.
Don’t film if you want to say something – just say it or write it. Film only if you want to show something, or you want people to see something. This concerns both the film as a whole and every single shot within the film.
Don’t film if you already knew your message before filming – just become a teacher. Don’t try to save the world. Don’t try to change the world. Better if your film will change you. Discover both the world and yourself whilst filming.
Don’t film something you just hate. Don’t film something you just love. Film when you aren’t sure if you hate it or love it. Doubts are crucial for making art. Film when you hate and love at the same time.
You need your brain both before and after filming, but don’t use your brain during filming. Just film using your instinct and intuition.
Try to not force people to repeat an action or words. Life is unrepeatable and unpredictable. Wait, look, feel and be ready to film using your own way of filming. Remember that the very best films are unrepeatable. Remember that the very best films were based on unrepeatable shots. Remember that the very best shots capture unrepeatable moments of life with an unrepeatable way of filming.
Shots are the basis of cinema. Remember that cinema was invented as one single shot – without any story. Or story was just inside that shot. Shots must first and foremost provide the viewers with new impressions that they never had before.
Story is important, but perception is even more important. Think, first, what the viewers will feel while seeing your shots. Then, form a dramatic structure of your film using the changes to their feelings.
Documentary is the only art, where every esthetical element almost always has ethical aspects and every ethical aspect can be used esthetically. Try to remain human, especially whilst editing your films. Maybe, nice people should not make documentaries.
Don’t follow my rules. Find your own rules. There is always something that only you can film and nobody else.
If you're wondering why a documentary is referred to as a "film" or "movie", Aha! Good question. Time for Doc Filmmaking 101.
Ask A Question Got a question about making documentaries?
What's New at Desktop Documentaries? The Desktop Documentaries Blog keeps you up-to-date with all latest documentary news and articles added to the Desktop-Documentaries.com Web site. Subscribe here.
Pitch Your Documentary Ideas Got a great documentary idea you'd like to share? Ready to start filming and in need of documentary ideas for inspiration? Generate tons of ideas...
Documentaries 101 Ready for documentaries 101? Here’s a quick overview of the wonderful world of documentary filmmaking.
Making Documentaries: A Step By Step Guide Filmmaking demystified! Making documentaries is not as hard as you may think. Follow these simple steps and you are well on your way to having a finished movie.
Top 10 Videography Tips For stellar footage, here are some basic videography tips for shooting documentaries, news, reality TV and web video.
Lighting for Video If you’re ready to add some flare to your documentary footage, check out these simple and easy tips for lighting for video.
Audio Basics Are you a beginner filmmaker in need of some audio basics for your upcoming documentary shoot?
Video Contests: Get In On The Action! Need documentary funding? Video contests can be an excellent way to hone your visual storytelling skills, help finance your documentary project and get great publicity.
Best Documentaries Browse the best documentaries chosen by a wide variety of people and groups. You can even create your OWN list of best documentaries!
Documentary Reviews Film critics wanted. Check out the latest documentary reviews and submit your own review!
Free Film Clips and B-Roll Footage Looking for free film clips to use in your documentary? Thousands of public domain movies, films, audio, photos and videos are available across the internet for immediate download.
Lovin' Animoto Animoto is one of the coolest video tools on the market today
Documentary Film Grants for Independent Filmmakers A huge database of documentary film grants is available if you just know where to look. Browse our list of filmmaking grants and upload your own grant in our free database listing service.
Self Distributing Your Film As a documentary filmmaker, distributing your film is often the most daunting and mysterious part of the process.
Tell Us About Your Documentary Take our quick 1-minute survey and tell us about your documentary project. Your feedback helps us create better content!
Documentary Tips E-zine This monthly e-zine offers lots of great freebies and helpful documentary tips. Subscribe here.
Write An Article - Promote Your Film, Grow Your Audience and Write an article for Desktop Documentaries and build awareness for you and your film project. This is a great opportunity to promote your documentary, build credibility and grow your audience!
About Desktop Documentaries This is your free on-line resource guide for all things documenary films. Learn everything you need to know about Desktop Documentaries.
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Basic Documentary Structure Documentary structure is defined by the subject matter, but there are some general guidelines you can follow.
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"I just wanted to say that I think your website is amazing. I am a beginner with an idea, and the info and articles on your website are easy to understand and answer many questions I have. I was also impressed that I got some feedback on my doco idea within about 24 hours of posting it. I can't wait to start filming!"
Canon XH A1s Camcorder
