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DIY Doco
DIY Doco: Documentary filmmaking learning resources
Exploring documentary filmmaking
The PDF resources below were first published on the DIY Doco Digital Learning website, an online educational initiative for students to explore the styles and processes of documentary filmmaking.
DIY Doco was published in 2008.
Elements of Documentary Storytelling
Cinematic elements include: camerawork, lighting, soundtrack, music and sound effects, interview, narration and editing techniques.
An understanding and mastery of these elements gives the filmmaker a powerful set of tools to help them realise their vision.
Camera
Soundtrack
Interview
Editing
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Dhakiyarr vs the King (2003). Film Australia Collection © NFSA, NFSA title: 595007. Yolngu men painting up for the Supreme Court ceremony in Darwin in memory of Yolngu warrior Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda.
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Painting People (1965). Film Australia Collection © NFSA, NFSA title: 24616. Artists Margaret Olley and William Dobell in the studio during a portrait painting session.
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Colonists For a Day (1993). Film Australia Collection © NFSA, NFSA title: 248211. Papua New Guinean man wearing elaborate headdress. Photographer: Chris Owens.
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From Story to Screen
First the filmmaker pitches the idea. The producer puts together a team to make the film - this is called the production phase. Post-production is when editing and sound mixing occurs. Then the film is prepared for distribution to audiences.
Development
Production
Post Production
Reaching Audiences
Main image: An Introduction to Motor Cycling (1976). Film Australia Collection © NFSA, NFSA title: 16495. The film crew mounted handmade dual-angle cameras to simultaneously film the rider’s point of view and the bike’s rear view.
Related content
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Australian History Timeline: From pre-1770s to 2000s
A collection of clips covering Australian history from hundreds of thousands of years ago to the beginning of the 21st Century.
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Australians at Work: Working Life in Australia
Selected from the Film Australia Collection, the clips in this collection show everyday Australians at work in a variety of contexts.
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Australia's Heritage: National Treasures
Chris Taylor reveals the secrets behind a fascinating mix of treasures from Australia’s National Heritage List.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.