The One Word That Is Sabotaging Your Documentary Shoots

The title you come in with might be the most damaging thing you bring onto a documentary set. It creates the wrong expectations with subjects before you say a word, and signals the wrong kind of leadership to your crew before you ever roll camera. Two real stories from my own shoots — a PBS series inside Indigenous communities in Alaska, and a vérité commercial shoot where a methodology mismatch with my DP cost us moments we couldn't get back — changed how I think about this completely. If you've ever felt pressure to perform authority on a documentary location in a way that felt completely wrong, this one is for you. 🎯Download our FREE guidebook ➡︎ Steal These 35 Nuggets of Filmmaking Wisdom ➡︎ https://share.hsforms.com/2lvK7Jsj1QA... ---------------------------------------- Stuff We Actually Use : (Software) 70% off AUDIIO PRO: Use Link & SAVE70 https://audiio.com/partner?oid=1&affi... 10% off DEHANCER FILM EMULATION: Use code EARLYLIGHTMEDIA 70% off AUDIIO (music library): Use Link and code SAVE70 https://audiio.com/partner?oid=1&affi... (Gear) WORKHORSE CAMERA: https://amzn.to/4kVTTe3 LENS 24-70: https://amzn.to/3MQ8GdF LENS 70-200: https://amzn.to/4kVOvrj PRIMES: https://amzn.to/4l4b4KM GIMBAL: https://amzn.to/3MZ5dcZ DRONE: https://amzn.to/4tWnMPG TRIPOD: https://amzn.to/4rDV0BZ LAV MIC SYSTEM WE USE: https://amzn.to/4aSOXST SHOTGUN MIC: https://amzn.to/4qUDxDW MONITOR: https://amzn.to/4aLi6k9 GO-TO HARDDRIVES: https://amzn.to/46WMs0u GO-TO SD CARDS: https://amzn.to/3ZX7VTa LIGHTS - APERTURE 600d: https://amzn.to/46WMPYW LIGHTS - APERTURE 300d: https://amzn.to/4udVT5Z SOFTBOX: https://amzn.to/4b7xTts -------------------------------------- This post contains affiliate links. By using these links, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting the channel. Sign up for our weekly Newsletter ➡︎ No spam, just doc talk. ➡︎ https://2wr5n.share.hsforms.com/2rdz-... 🤔 Questions - Do you have questions or feedback about any our tips? Drop it in the comments! We will respond :) Here are the ways to work with us at Early Light Media (ELM) ============================= ⚡️Get on our freelance list ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/freelance... ⚡️For Business inquiries, please go to ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/contact/ ============================= Connect with us on Instagram! ============================= IG: ➡︎   / earlylightmedia   ============================= Connect with Darren Durlach ============================= Website ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/darren-du... IG ➡︎   / darrendurlach   ============================= Our mission at Early Light Media is to inspire change through the power of nonfiction storytelling and documentary film by producing it and teaching it. Chapters 00:00 The Word That's Sabotaging Your Shoots 00:39 What Documentary Directing Actually Requires 01:50 The Alaska Shoot That Changed Everything 02:50 You're Not the Director of Someone's Life 03:18 Scripted vs. Documentary: Two Different Jobs 04:36 The DP Mismatch That Cost Us Real Moments 05:34 Being Quiet on Set Is the Job 06:22 How to Introduce Yourself to Subjects 06:42 The Pre-Production Conversation You Need to Have #earlylightmedia #documentaryfilmmaking #darrendurlach