Ask the Documentary Doctor

Trailer Talk

By Fernanda Rossi

Dear Doc Doctor: What’s the best way I can start my demo to make a strong impression—especially when submitting to a very competitive grant?

Doc Doctor: Far from offering a formula that can cripple your creativity, let’s discuss some principles that can help you put your efforts in the right place. For starters, you’re on the right path when acknowledging the need for a strong beginning for a fundraising trailer, especially when having to stand out among many at a grant evaluation.

Ask the Documentary Doctor

Put down that camera and grab a calculator

By Fernanda Rossi

Dear Doc Doctor: How much money should I spend on a film festival?

Rather than thinking on a per festival basis, develop a comprehensive festival budget. Granted, this strategy may yield mere estimates or projections, closer in accuracy to street-fair fortune-telling than satellite weather-forecasting. Many unanswerable questions arise, such as how does one predict how many festivals a film will get into. Take heart, the task at hand is not clairvoyance but striking the right balance between wishful thinking and good common sense.

Once you’re in business mode, don’t be too quick to grab a calculator. Start by pondering the following variables, which will help you determine how much moolah to spend on partying around the globe, oops, I mean, promoting your film.

[SF360.org editor’s note: This article appeared originally in Film Arts magazine.]

Ask the Documentary Doctor

Fundraising and story development

By Fernanda Rossi

Dear Doc Doctor: My previous projects did very well, from the fundraising stage all the way to distribution. This new documentary is getting harder to make than all the other ones combined. Is this a sign that I should give it up? Shouldn’t it get easier over time to make a film?

It doesn’t get easier. It gets…different. During all my years working with mid-career and senior filmmakers, I never saw anyone sit back and with legs stretched out on the desk, exclaim, “Doc making, piece of cake!” And that’s a good thing. You don’t want a hunter of true stories to get too comfy and compliant.

[SF360.org editor’s note: This article appeared originally in Film Arts magazine.]

Ask the Documentary Doctor

Pitching to switch hitters: Strategies for giving investors what they want

By Fernanda Rossi

Dear Doc Doctor: Every time I pitch my film I’m told I should switch the beginning and the end. After rearranging it numerous times, I keep getting the same feedback. What am I doing wrong?

You are right to worry about having an engaging opening and equally powerful cliffhanger or hook. As with fundraising demos and treatments, the first and final impressions of a pitch are long-lasting and must be carefully crafted.

The pitch must include (not necessarily in this particular order) the premise, theme, genre, intended length, characters, main possible plot points (plot points are not always predictable in a documentary, especially if it’s vérité style or an ongoing developing story); as well as prospective audience and budget.

[SF360.org editor’s note: This article appeared originally in Film Arts magazine.]