Part 3
Preproduction

Research is the work you do to decide what and whom you intend to film. Some documentaries seem heavily researched and premeditated; others appear to spring fully armed from the moment. In fact, few stories simply take shape before the camera, and even those that do benefit from a great deal of strategic planning. Writing a proposal is putting this down on paper and using the writing process itself to help refine and sharpen what you intend to do. Other preparations during preproduction concern the logistics of filming, and marshaling the people and resources to carry it out.