Making a movie requires more than a camera lens. Proper planning and a lot of help go into making any type of film. You want to get the best footage so that your documentary stands out. Don’t make these five common mistakes when filming an undercover documentary.
Not Using Hidden Cameras
The key to going undercover and capturing good footage is hiding your camera. Whether you’re secretly interviewing someone or exploring a location you aren’t supposed to film, you’ll need to sneak in a hidden camera. Of course, you may face legal challenges if you use a hidden camera, so consider if it is worth the potential cost.
Being Unprepared
As you research your documentary, you never know when you might find an opportune time to film. You should always have your camera ready and with you when you’re making your documentary. Further, having a good lens will help you capture the shots you need. It’s important to know how to choose the right lens for filmmaking. For documentaries, you can use either cinema lenses or photography lenses.
Learning About Your Subject While Filming
You shouldn’t wait to learn about the subject of your film until you are making your movie. Research your topic beforehand to make sure it’s a good subject in the first place. Further, you want to make sure you bring something new to the topic that other filmmakers haven’t already explored.
Forgetting Your Sound Equipment
The worst thing to come across when editing your film is an interview you can’t hear. If your hidden camera can’t pick up audio, you’ll need additional sound equipment, such as a tape recorder. Use a quality tape recorder that can pick up audio through minor obstructions like clothing.
Telling Everyone About Your Film
With most documentaries and other movies, you want to boast about your movie to create buzz for your film. When you are going undercover, though, you could ruin your opportunities to get the best shots and interviews if people know what you are doing. Try to keep your project secret. Only tell people who are working with you and those you trust.
Sometimes, going undercover is necessary to get the best material. You can avoid the five common mistakes when filming an undercover documentary by using the right equipment and keeping your project a secret. You must think like a detective to gather information and content for the best possible documentary.
