Documentary Ideas

Are you searching for inspiration for your next documentary project or looking for documentary ideas?

Instead of trying to list a zillion random topics, allow me to suggest something far better.

I’m going to help you come up with great documentary ideas specifically designed for YOU. Trust me. They will be much more unique and interesting than anything you could find on any list.

Before we talk about specific ideas, let’s get Zen for a moment.

If you are truly looking for the BEST documentary ideas of all, this will involve a bit of good ol’ fashioned soul searching.

I love the quote by French film director, Robert Bresson: “Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.”

The point of that quote is to say that each one of us is a unique individual with a unique set of experiences and viewpoints. No one in the WHOLE world has exactly what you have.

So with that in mind, let’s go through some questions to help you pinpoint some documentary ideas.

1. Think of something that totally fascinates you. I mean, this subject makes you tingle all over with passion, anger, sadness or excitement. You just can’t get enough of this subject.


2. Is there a social issue or injustice that you want to shine a light on?


3. Who in your family has an interesting story or background? Maybe it’s something that happened in the past (War Hero) or something happening in the present (difficult pregnancy).


4. What is happening “right now” in your family, school or community that is unique, remarkable or controversial. What is stirring the passions of those around you that would be fascinating to document. (ex. immigration issues, gay rights, segregation, politics, sports, health care, etc)


5. What stories are you reading in your local newspaper or on the Internet that interests you? Would the subject make a great film? Maybe there’s a character (or set of characters) who completely fascinates you.


6. What “secret” has a friend told you that could be a great tip to an unusual or unknown story?


7. Is there anything that intrigues you? Perhaps it’s just a quiet seed of an idea that was planted many years ago that deserves a second look.


8. Are you noticing a trend among your friends, co-workers or neighbors that should be documented and studied?


9. Are you passionate about a humanitarian mission or organization that needs publicity?


10. Are you or someone you know going on a trip that could make an interesting story?

My father wrote a series of inspirational essays called Building Materials for Life (3 books). One of those essays is entitled “Low Hanging Fruit.” It can refer to any endeavor such as fundraising, starting a business or making a movie. The idea is that you look for help and solutions from the easiest and nearest resources.

When looking for documentary ideas (especially if this is your first project), look around you at the “low hanging fruit.” What are the great stories within your own family or community? Maybe the story is YOU, the lowest hanging fruit of all!

For me, my first big documentary project (Briars in the Cotton Patch) involved a story I’d heard growing up my whole life, but it never really intrigued me until I got older and started learning a bit more. The project started off as a 3-minute presentation video to show at an upcoming event. Once I got into, I realized it was worthy of a full hour and the journey was born.

If you’re not sure about your documentary idea, here’s a great way to test it.

Create a 2-5 minute “trailer”, kind of a visual synopsis, which will:

• Clarify how interested you REALLY are in the process


• Test if your idea in “theory” works well as a movie


• Give you something tangible to show potential donors to help you raise money for the rest of the project


• Provide a great promotional tool for your Facebook Page or web site to build buzz about your project.


• Best of all, it breaks the inertia of just thinking about it and gets you actually DOING something.

The truth is, that no matter how much research you do or how hard you try to pick a topic that you think a lot of people will be interested in, if you personally are not fascinated by it, you are doomed to fail.

If you get nothing else from this article, remember this:

Go toward something that you’re passion about. TRULY passionate about.

If you already have an idea for a documentary, ask yourself if the subject is interesting enough to you that it will keep you motivated day after day for the next year, two years, three years or more? (I have met or heard of filmmakers who spent up to 10 years on their projects!) Especially if you have little money or time, the process can be excruciatingly slow.

There will be many times that you will hit a brick wall and be tempted to give up. That is when you will need your passion the most.

If you’re still stuck for documentary ideas, here are a few more recommendations to get the creative juices flowing:

1. Scan lists of past documentaries for inspiration. (Netflix is a great resource)


2. Read off-beat blogs, magazines and newspapers for topics that interest you.


3. Dig around into your family’s past for ideas. (If you dare!)


4. Start asking everyone you know to suggest ideas. You might be surprised what they come up with.


5. Think about the most reviled, popular or wacky person in your community. Get them to let you follow them around with a camera and you may be amazed at your footage.


6. Is there a situation you can “create” that would make a great story? Perhaps bringing together two long lost friends or family members.

• START the project


• DO the project


• FINISH the project

• Everything you need to know to make a documentary
• Gift ideas for home made videos
• A step-by-step guide to scriptwriting
• Videography tips for documentary filmmaking

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