Author: actuality_aubrie

DOCUMENTARY STORY SUMMARY: AN ESSENTIAL BLUEPRINT

A story – at its core – is a telling of an event crafted to engage an audience.

What elements are essential to command attention?

In the realm of documentary filmmaking, you figure this out during the transition from research to planning. Creating the story summary is crucial moment, when you finally able to define the backbone of your narrative. This is not merely a step in the process; it’s an art form that involves weaving together crucial elements to ensure your audience is not just watching, but experiencing and engaging with your narrative.

Here’s how you can craft a compelling story summary that will serve as the foundation of your documentary production.

Wrap Report: Storytelling Expedition to Guatemala 2023

In July 2023, a group of intrepid nine storytellers embarked on a unique expedition to Guatemala. More than just a travel experience, it was a journey destined to become an odyssey into the heart of documentary storytelling. Each location, from the cobblestoned streets of Antigua to the serene waters of Lake Atitlan, served as a canvas for their adventure and their narratives. Organized by Actuality Abroad, with guidance on the ground by a local guide from Etnica Travel, this undertaking was not just about documenting important stories. It was about immersion, understanding, and the pursuit of authentic narratives that resonate with the soul of the places and people they encountered.

FOUR STAGES OF DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING

Shoot. Capture. Subject. Take. Trigger.

These words are starting to feel uncomfortable.

We used to love using them. They made us feel special. These words and others are the coded language we could speak, signaling to others ‘in the business’ that we belonged.

Yet, these words are inherently violent…

WORDS MATTER: CHANGING THE LANGUAGE AROUND MEDIAMAKING

Shoot. Capture. Subject. Take. Trigger.

These words are starting to feel uncomfortable.

We used to love using them. They made us feel special. These words and others are the coded language we could speak, signaling to others ‘in the business’ that we belonged.

Yet, these words are inherently violent…

Wrap Report: Documentary Outreach to Guatemala 2023

In San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala, June ushered in high hopes. Summer tourists flooded the small mountain town, igniting a bustling business scene. The annual town festival and a historic presidential election in June kept excitement levels soaring. Day and night, thunderous fireworks punctuated the countdown to these dual celebrations.

The rainy season was late in arriving, making for hot days, dusty, dry streets and dwindling public water reserves, underscoring the town’s delicate balance with nature.

Amidst this whirlwind, Actuality Abroad’s twenty crew members arrived, bringing cameras and curiosity, ready to document the vibrant tapestry of life, culture and change in San Juan la Laguna.