Directing the Documentary, 5th Edition

Chapter 28Organization, Crew, and Procedures

Large, well-funded projects have larger crews to make shooting more efficient. A series or feature-length documentary will need a whole production department. In broadcasting these become elaborate organizations as the endeavor takes on a studio dimension.

Interns

Organizations of all sizes often take interns (unpaid or low-paid assistants) from a nearby film school—a great way to get experience. Some take interns simply to get cheap labor for tedious tasks, but more often internships arise from a laudable desire to teach “the business” to the next generation. An internship can be a capstone to your education and a fine way to get known by local professionals. If they like you and your work, this ...