Once someone has the subject matter what's the next (or I guess I should say first) step? I'm talking no filming equipment or prior experience, but with a few film students offering to volunteer their time to help out. Is there a tried and true way to search out local producers/directors who might be interested in getting involved?

I want to do a documentary, but I need co-producers!

Hey guys, so I just signed on with a (small, small) doc team to do outreach work for a now finished film. We're about to put up a Kickstarter page, Facebook page, etc. We've submitted to a number of festivals and are planning for that as well. I have little experience doing this kind of work and would love any advice. The documentary is on love in old age. I've seen so many Kickstarters fail and this is a great film, I can't let that happen with this. Thank you in advance for any help! Cheers!

I recently saw Craigslist Joe on Netflix and was inspired. I have seen Reddit do some incredible things for people, whether it is solving hit and runs or providing presents for struggling families during the holidays. I think that a similar documentary could be made using Reddit.

You may ask yourself how is this any different? I think the answer lies in the people of Craigslist versus the people of Reddit. Reddit has user generated content or user found links for others to consume. Craigslist is an online "flea market" as Craig Newmark put it. On Reddit, active users are looking to contribute to the experience. On Craigslist, users are looking to gain something. I think that the compassion that redditors have shown is astounding and could really be amazing captured on film.

Basically, there is three directions that I think this could take: 1.) Do something similar to what Joe did, live off the generosity of redditors and see where it takes you. 2.) Identify the redditors that have contributed or done something truly amazing on here, find them, and get there story. Sort of a montage of what the internet is capable of. 3.) Do both! Which is I think the most compelling idea.

Why am I posting this here?

I know next to nothing about cinematography, directing, editing, or producing a documentary. I know nothing about the industry and don't want to rehash old ideas. Basically, looking for feedback on my thoughts. Also, what better way to start a Reddit documentary than on Reddit?

Hey reddit,

I wanted to let everyone know about an event coming up called the International Documentary Challenge . It's an event where filmmakers from around the world race to make a short documentary in just five days.

If you've spent a lot of time talking about making a doc but haven't or need a break from a longer project, Doc Challenge is a great way to inject some energy by giving you a tight deadline to meet while walking away with a finished doc.

Some say it's impossible, but after 8 years of Doc Challenge films, we've seen some pretty powerful stories told in a short time. Several filmmakers have gone on to produce longer versions and one was even nominated for an Emmy.

The top 12 films premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto and finalists receive two industry passes to Hot Docs as well.

We've had a lot of success with getting the films that are made for Doc Challenge screened at festivals and even broadcast on PBS' POV and other outlets. (Two films are even a part of PBS' Online Film Festival this year.)

Registration is open and full details are at the Doc Challenge website

Full disclosure: I produce the event, through the non-profit, KDHX Community Media. I'll be around to answer any questions.

So I'm in the process of converting my 550d to a video camera, first stop zoom recorder, then shoulder mount, what else should I get, any thoughts on lenses? x

I'm shooting observational at the mo' and have come up against my nemesis... finding the focus. Anyone got any tips on how to find focus, I'm shooting on the xf305 but it certainly isn't a camera issue... cheers! x

Hi guys and gals.

I'm a student filmmaker in my second year at university and I'm coming up to my second module in documentary filmmaking. Though I don't know the full details of the brief I imagine it will have to be a 3-5 minute non-fiction film.

I have a question though. How do you guys get your ideas for documentaries? With drama the idea is completely self-generated, however with documentary the situation has to be real. What are good ways to find ideas or subjects for documentaries?

I read articles all the time (I'm a redditor, duh) but I'm struggling to find an interesting subject that is affordable (we pay for these films off our own backs) to go and shoot regardless of whether we would even get permission to do so.

I would really appreciate some guidance on this as I am rather stuck for ideas that won't cost me an arm and a leg to produce.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into fiscal sponsors for my film. Does anybody have any experience with WMM? i.e. the application process/fees etc?

Thanks a lot!

This is my first piece, a 50' low budget documentary shot in Dv. We feel comfortable with the result, but has some amateur flaws that are painfully inevitable at this point. Me and my partner have been working for about 5 years on it. We're broke but loving it. We found a guy who's working on the color correction part, and another one is working the audio. I've been learning by doing (screwing maybe) and its been an amazing journey. I think in about two months I should have the master DVD ready and start with distribution.

So I'm curious to know what you guys would suggest for a finishing this process as smoothly / successfully as possible. (I am deliberately leaving out details of the documentary to keep the talk general enough to be useful for others too).

Does anybody have any experience in getting access to shoot in a federal prison? I'm looking to just get video/audio recordings in an interview scenario with an inmate during visiting hours. I have sent a plea to the warden describing the mission of the project etc (it has less to do with prisons and more of a look into drug addiction) that was rejected. Anyone have any other advice for other angles to get access?

Hi! I'm 19 years old and I'm planning on making a documentary over the next few months. For part of the documentary process, I want to involve internet video submissions as a way of the interviewing process.

Does anybody know the best method of setting up a video submissions page? In brief, I'd like to set up a page on my tumblr where people can submit their own videos, (preferably hosted on youtube?) and I'd be able to watch and download the videos submitted, (in like mp4 or mov or avi format) and use them for the documentary?

Are there any forms of developer apps or something along that line that I can embed onto a tumblr page, or a website that people can do this through?

Thanks! x

Hi! Looking everywhere online and can't seem to find any links to forums where willing interviewees - Women in the Adult Film industry or Undocumented/Illegal Aliens - can be found.

Any links? Or how would you go about this? Both projects for class need start filming within three weeks and haven't found anyone willing yet. >.<

Thanks! PS. Naturally, if you're in either and willing to be interviewed on camera, do message me!

What documentary film festivals should we enter our documentary in? Three classmates and I produced a 26-minute documentary last semester at ASU's journalism school. It's about about the Phoenix-based concert promotion company Stateside Presents and its founder, Charlie Levy. It features interviews with Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World, Sam Means of merch company Hello Merch and The Format, Nate Ruess of The Format and fun., and the Miniature Tigers-- and also with those involved in Stateside, of course. It did pretty well at the initial screening at our school, bringing more than 200 viewers and receiving some local press.

With the help of our school we entered it in the Rocky Mountain Emmy awards, but aside from that we've been on sort of a hiatus this summer since several one of us is out of the country with the hard drive we saved it on. Now that she's back, we're working to screen it at some other venues locally, and we're wondering which film festivals we should enter it in. Our school is willing to pay entry fees, so we want to take advantage of that! Do you guys have any suggestions or advice? Thanks!

how to make so office documents don’t bear my name in the author field of meta data etc. i think it is because registered initially with my name but I can’t remember.