| name | produce-documentary |
| description | End-to-end documentary filmmaking workflow from subject selection and research through shooting, interview technique, editing, and distribution. Covers documentary storytelling, ethical considerations, interview methodology, archival research, verite and observational techniques, narrative structure in nonfiction, and festival and streaming distribution strategies.
Use when the user wants to produce documentary or needs a structured multi-step process for this goal.
Do NOT use when the request is a single-step task or requires professional advice beyond educational guidance. |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| type | workflow |
| skills | documentary-maker video-editor-guide content-monetizer |
| trigger_phrases | I want to make a documentary produce a documentary film documentary filmmaking guide how to shoot a documentary tell a true story on film nonfiction filmmaking documentary from start to finish |
| metadata | {"author":"foundry-skills","version":"1.0.0","tags":"video-production interview-prep editing creative-writing step-by-step planning","category":"creative-project","depends":"documentary-maker video-editor-guide content-monetizer"} |
Produce Documentary
Estimated time: 3-8 months
This workflow guides you through producing a documentary from subject selection
to distribution. Documentary filmmaking is a unique discipline: unlike fiction
film, you cannot fully script reality. You must research deeply, build trust
with subjects, capture authentic moments, and then find the story in the editing
room. The best documentaries change how people see the world.
The workflow covers five phases: subject research and development, pre-production
and planning, shooting (interviews and verite footage), post-production, and
distribution. It works for feature-length documentaries, short docs, and
docuseries episodes.
By the end of this workflow you will have: a thoroughly researched subject, a
shooting plan, captured interviews and verite footage, a professionally edited
documentary, and a distribution strategy through festivals, streaming, or
online platforms.
When to Use
- User wants to produce documentary
- User needs a structured, step-by-step process for produce documentary
- User wants to make a documentary
- produce a documentary film
- documentary filmmaking guide
- Do NOT use when: the request is outside the scope of produce documentary or requires professional advice beyond educational guidance
- Do NOT use for single-step tasks that one atomic skill can handle independently
Prerequisites
Before starting this workflow, ensure:
- A subject you are passionate about and have access to
- A camera capable of recording video and a quality microphone
- Access to interview subjects who are willing to participate
- Understanding that documentary filmmaking requires ethical sensitivity
- Budget for production (travel, equipment, post-production)
Steps
Step 1: Research Your Subject (uses: documentary-maker)
Use the Documentary Maker and Story Writer skills to research the subject
deeply and develop the documentary's approach.
- Input: documentary subject or topic area, Existing knowledge and access to the subject, Target format: feature (60-90 min), short (10-40 min), or series
- Output: The driving question the documentary explores, Background research, existing coverage, and gap analysis, Key interview subjects with access assessment
- Key focus: Defining the central question the documentary will explore (documentaries
Step 2: Plan Your Production (uses: documentary-maker)
Use the Documentary Maker and Video Producer skills to plan the production.
- Input:
treatment from Step 1 (documentary approach), from Step 1 (who and where to shoot), from Step 1 (content to cover)
