The Documentary Producer - Now a days, anyone can make a movie.

The consumer has every tool at her fingertips. Chances are though, it’s gonna suck. Now hold on a hairy minute, I am not saying anything about you or your talent, necessarily, but modern day conveniences have made it too easy.

Tom, Dick and Harriet are out there pointing cameras every which way and taking their miscellaneous footage home to cut on one of those paper thin Macs –just cause they had to have one. I, personally, miss the days of the squawk box and moviola.

Today, I ran into an Ol’Time Producer in the elevator. And I couldn’t help but think to myself… either he really loves what he does or he has got himself into an uncomfortable position later in life where this is the only thing he knows how to do. My gut says the latter.

We got to talking and he remarked that “Things are peculating, but in this biz you can have a child faster than you can get a project up.” He then smirked and looked down at my stomach. Last time he had seen me I was in my best summer shape – tanned and relaxed.

I can’t help but feel a pang of empathy for him. He is completely reliant on other people and their subjective objective view. But yet everyday he goes to work, sits at a desk and takes “no” for an answer until that elusive “yes” pops up. He has been doing this for decades, maybe he is used to it. Maybe, not.

But what I so admire about him is that he has been through it and keeps coming back for more. He is a true warrior of the process.

Documentary Filmmaking is also a process. It is not computer software that has neat dissolves and cool effects. Please, remember that.

It starts with a subject, an idea… and requires ones full attention and focus. All the great documentaries have great subjects… And behind those lenses reside great minds that have enormous passion and respect for that which is being exposed.

This is Step One in Amy Janes’ guide to Great Documentary Filmmaking – for those of you that are paying attention – take note.

Next week, we will take a look at your subject and who, frankly, is going to give a damn.

But until the, go out and rent yourself THE FOG OF WAR by Errol Morris. You will see what I mean.