The 2-Question Filter That Stops Filmmakers From Overshooting

How do you know what to shoot in a documentary — and when to stop filming?
Overshooting footage is one of the biggest challenges documentary filmmakers face, especially during verité or run-and-gun shoots.

In this video, Darren breaks down a simple two-part framework we use at Early Light Media to decide how much footage to shoot and what actually belongs in the final film.

You’ll learn how to stop guessing and use the Plot vs. Character test to identify which scenes, interviews, and moments move your story forward — and which ones don’t. We cover how to recognize real stakes, when to keep filming, and how experienced filmmakers develop a “sixth sense” for knowing when a documentary story is complete.

Videos I mentioned in the video.
Art of the Interview ➡︎    • 🎤 Art of the Interview  
Directing ➡︎    • The One Storytelling Shift That Will Make ...  

🎯Download our FREE guidebook ➡︎ Steal These 35 Nuggets of Filmmaking Wisdom ➡︎ https://share.hsforms.com/2lvK7Jsj1QA...
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter ➡︎ No spam, just doc talk. ➡︎ https://2wr5n.share.hsforms.com/2rdz-...

Chapters:
00:00 How much should you shoot?
00:21 The Plot.
01:07 The Character.
01:53 Raising the Stakes.
02:13 Verité vs. Interviews.
02:37 The 2-Question Filter.
03:02 The Golden Rule.
03:19 How to Start.


🤔 Questions - Do you have questions or feedback about any our tips? Drop it in the comments! We will respond :)

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Our mission at Early Light Media is to inspire change through the power of nonfiction storytelling and documentary film by producing it and teaching it.

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