The documentary genre has radically evolved in recent years and so it’s not a surprise that there may be some confusion about “what exactly is a documentary!”. A documentary is a broad term to describe a non-fiction movie that in some way “documents” or captures reality. Documentaries are often used to reveal an unusual, interesting or unknown angle. Topics are limited only by one’s imagination as you can see by this huge list of documentary ideas submitted by visitors to this site.
Documentary filmmaking requires research to provide the context, footage and other visuals, narration, and interviews that will appear in the film. There are several types of research that documentary filmmakers might undertake, including archival research, academic research, and in-person interviews. Documentary filmmakers often choose subject matter they are passionate about, and a great documentary can be about any non-fiction, real-world subject. Indeed, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction—and often more interesting.
