DP setting up lights
Documentaries–nonfiction motion pictures–offer a look at reality and beg the talents of a CMS scriptwriter with keen observations of life and people. Documentaries are eye opening, revealing, stunning, controversial, educational and enlightening bits of real life.
A talented documentary scriptwriter, through the elevated use of words and language, brings a new look at the beauty of the natural world, the awe of the cosmos, the wonder of science, and an understanding of critical national and international issues. A scriptwriter lives the passion, the proverbial “fire in the belly” of the client, and brings an enthusiastic understanding of the subject matter and the world of documentaries.
Producer checking camera settings
A talented documentary scriptwriter from CMS realizes the realization of a documentary comes from the commitment of a network to news issues including—social, historical, disaster, political, economic and current events. Author William Bluem in Documentary in American Television says the documentary evolved from the works of photojournalists and film documentarians who, “…wished that viewers might share the adventure and despair of other men’s lives…” CMS scriptwriters are sensitive to worldwide adversity and misfortune.
Director getting ready for interview
Before beginning a documentary, our scriptwriters learn the subject matter, style and mood, interested networks, research required, the creative direction and the target audience. We also line up interviews, photographs and acquired film footage to bring the script to life. Much of the script, however, will be written after the primary shooting. Initially, we work from an outline as the documentary “reveals” itself as the shooting progresses.
Most documentaries, written by a CMS scriptwriter with a talent for storytelling, weave the many threads of character, plot, interviews, locations, music, primary and secondary footage, and special effects into a compelling visual tapestry. A tapestry of storytelling to excite the imagination, open minds and hearts, and call the viewer to action.