Purpose-Driven Documentaries

This book is a field guide for students and storytellers interested in the realm of

social impact documentary. It explores best practices and processes for interacting

with the documentary subject and framing the story of the subject in a way they find

accommodating and aligned with their interests.

This text will guide readers from step one of the documentary filmmaking process

through to the completion of their short documentary film in an easy-to-understand, very

repeatable process they can use and build on for the rest of their career. Beginning with

the best practices for conducting comprehensive research and carrying out pre-production,

the benefits of interacting with and getting to know your subject are then explored

through multiple perspectives. This leads into a step-by-step framework for telling the

subject’s story, paired with real-life examples from film student projects overseen by

the author, as well as example work such as Character Profiles, Purpose Statements,

Interview Questions, and other references.

This is an essential resource for students and documentary filmmakers who want to get a

clear and concise understanding of how to approach social impact documentaries.

Author Biography

Robin Canfield is an accomplished storyteller, photographer, and documentary

filmmaker. He co-founded Actuality Abroad and leads documentary workshops around the

world, producing films that highlight the efforts of local changemakers. A regular speaker

at festivals and educational conferences, Robin continues to advocate for a shift toward a

more collaborative and cooperative approach in telling stories about real life.