Jeremy Sicotte's 5 Tips for New Documentary Film Makers
                     Jeremy 
Sicotte's 5 
Tips for New 
Documentary 
Film Makers
there are lots of other 
resources available to help 
you achieve success with 
your documentary film. 
Jeremy Sicotte, one of the 
USA's leading documentary 
filmmakers, has put 
together a list of 5 tips to 
help any new documentary 
filmmakers out there avoid 
common pitfalls and learn 
how to make an impact with 
their films.
1) Choose a subject you are 
passionate about
Find a subject you are passionate about and 
it will make all the difference in your film. 
Spend time with the people you’re 
interviewing: Spend as much time as 
possible with those whom you want to 
represent in your documentary. It is 
important to get their perspective on their 
own story because they know it best. Give 
them space so they feel comfortable telling 
their story. Be honest with yourself and 
what skills you need: From fundraising to 
video editing, every project requires many 
different skills.
2) Research your film topic 
before starting to make your 
documentary
Before you start filming your 
documentary, it is important to do 
some research on the topic. Doing 
research will give you knowledge 
about what has been done in the 
past, the scope of your 
documentary, and where you want 
to be unique.
3) Put yourself in your audience’s shoes
Imagine the excitement when you’ve just 
finished filming your documentary and are 
about to show it to the world. You feel good, 
too, because it’s been such a long journey 
but now the film is done. But what if nobody 
cares? What if people shrug their shoulders 
at the end of your movie? Now imagine they 
care so much that they start crying.They 
jump up out of their seats, yelling and 
clapping. They want more! That’s how 
powerful documentaries can be. So before 
you release your documentary into the 
world, ask yourself: What am I trying to 
accomplish?
4) Work with what you have, 
it’s all an opportunity
Working with what you have 
might not seem as interesting 
as doing something creative 
and new, but it’s an opportunity 
that you can learn from. If 
you’re stuck for ideas, think 
about a friend or family 
member who’s gone through 
something difficult and tell their 
story! 
5) Learn from mentors as you go
When you're just starting out, don't 
be afraid to ask the professionals in 
your field. Take the opportunity to 
network, and connect with people 
who have more experience than 
you. You'll learn by watching and 
listening, which will allow you to 
grow much faster. Find a mentor 
that inspires you, and let them 
show you the ropes from the 
ground up.