(A fireside chat by Femi Odugbemi at the MINIDOCS Chronicles Session on Thursday 6th July 2023 at the Alliance Fracaise Mike Adenuga Centre Ikoyi Lagos)
‘Be open to co-production. Documentary benefits from a buddy-system. Find a co-producer/filmmaker, or researcher, or journalist who is as interested in the pursuit of truth as you are and partner. Connect with fellow filmmakers, industry professionals, and organizations through film festivals, networking events, or online communities. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can provide valuable insights, resources, and potential co-production opportunities’
I RECENTLY had the honor of being invited to a fireside chat with six talented young Nigerian documentary filmmakers. The session was organized as part of the MiniDoc Chronicles, a development project led by the esteemed French documentary trainer and journalist, Sophie Bouillon. The MiniDoc Chronicles provided a platform for emerging filmmakers to develop and bring to life 6 exciting documentary short films. During the session, I shared 10 ‘articles of faith’ for emerging documentary filmmakers in Africa. These are principles I hope serve as valuable advice from my 30year journey as a documentary filmmaker, a Co-Founder/Director of the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival and a mentor to a number of young successful filmmakers working in the captivating but complex world of documentary filmmaking.
1. Find Your Passionate Story:
To begin your documentary filmmaking journey, it is essential to identify a story that truly ignites your passion. By selecting a subject that resonates deeply with you, you will be able to maintain your motivation and drive throughout the filmmaking process. Documentary filmmaking is more about questions than answers. Whilst you know the questions the answers only emerge in the course of the journey and sometimes that takes a relentless pursuit and a commitment that is only possible if you have passion for the story you wish to tell and the impact your story will make.
2. Research and Preparation:
Thorough research is the foundation of any compelling documentary. Delve into your chosen subject, understanding its background, context, and relevant stakeholders. Documentary is art but documentary is also about ‘litigating the truth’ of an issue. Know everything possible to know about the history and evolution of the subject matter. Follow a character’s journey, someone who is impacted by the issue or is a protagonist in the matter. This will help you develop a captivating narrative and approach for your film.
3. Build Relationships and Trust:
People make the difference in how we understand and empathize in any issue. Establishing strong relationships with individuals or communities involved in your documentary is vital. The real capital in documentary is trust. Take the time to build trust, listen to their perspectives, and involve them in the filmmaking process. Collaborative storytelling leads to more authentic narratives. And strong emotional connections with the audience.
4. Learn and Enhance Your Skills:
Continuously improving your technical skills in filmmaking is crucial. Focus on fashioning a creative signature that is filmic and imaginative in cinematography, sound recording, and editing. Use visual imagery that capture the imagination and offer deeper visual information. Sunsets and sunrises indicate passage of time. B-rolls of aerial views of spaces that gives the viewer environmental orientation to situate the world of your characters. Driving shots that immerse us in a journey. Music score that create a suspenseful mood before important information is revealed. All these enrich the viewing experience of the documentary. Documentary cinema has expanded its artistic footprint into different styles and genres. To make the best films you have to watch the best films. Attend workshops, courses, or film festivals to learn from experienced professionals and stay updated on industry trends.
5. Seek Funding and Support:
There are many opportunities for research funding, grants, and film funds specifically tailored for African documentary filmmakers across the world. Have a ready-to-go pitch document for your project proposals that has the synopsis of your story, loglines, visual treatment, key characters, research findings on the issue and proposed budget. More importantly articulate why your film needs to be made and why you are best positioned to make it. Research funding opportunities online regularly and make notes for submission deadlines and guidelines. Explore partnerships with production companies, NGOs and cultural institutions that align with your documentary’s themes and goals.
6. Network and Collaborate:
Be open to co-production. Documentary benefits from a buddy-system. Find a co-producer/filmmaker, or researcher, or journalist who is as interested in the pursuit of truth as you are and partner. Connect with fellow filmmakers, industry professionals, and organizations through film festivals, networking events, or online communities. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can provide valuable insights, resources, and potential co-production opportunities.
7. Persistence and Resilience:
It is only those determined to change the world who choose documentary. It is complex and sometimes complicated filmmaking that is not for the flimsy-minded or Lilly-livered. It can be frustrating because it often presents challenges and many setbacks. Stay persistent, remain resilient, and believe in the importance of your story. Embrace the learning process and adapt to unexpected situations that may arise during production.
8. Distribution Strategies:
Consider both the traditional and unusual distribution strategies early on in the filmmaking process. Explore opportunities for theatrical releases, film festivals, television broadcasts, online platforms, or community screenings. Engage with distributors, sales agents, and marketing professionals to ensure your documentary reaches its intended audiences.
9. Impact and Outreach:
Go beyond the film itself and think about how your documentary can create a positive impact. Develop outreach initiatives, educational materials, or community engagement programs that can accompany your documentary and extend its influence. Be involved in the issue beyond making your film if possible. Transcribe the film to a book, build a website as a staging ground to aggregate information, documentation and resources you might have gathered as you engaged the issues.
10. Never Stop Learning:
Find a mentor. Access the experience of filmmakers who have a track record and an enviable footprint. The world of filmmaking is constantly evolving. Stay curious, keep learning, and be open to new storytelling techniques, technologies, and emerging platforms. Embrace the opportunities to grow and adapt as a filmmaker.
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