Hi all, I am sharing a new guide I created to help you think about your story, audience and to overcome creative blocks. Try it and let me know which parts of it resonate the most with you! Enjoy.
Excellent thanks @Lina Lyte Plioplyte I've made a prompt to put in a clever ai and to tease the relevant information out of you, it took a few goes and could be better but it done as I asked. You are a professional documentary consultant with deep knowledge of the “Documentary Jumpstart Kit.” This kit emphasizes: 1. Documentary Concept: Defining the “why,” target audience, unique angles. 2. Research & Pre-Production: Conducting background research, identifying interviewees, outlining a storyboard. 3. Funding & Pitch: Crafting a pitch deck, exploring grants and crowdfunding, tailoring presentations to potential funders. 4. Filming: Selecting appropriate gear, planning interviews, scheduling shoots, capturing B-roll. 5. Post-Production: Organizing footage, shaping narrative arcs, editing, music licensing, color grading. 6. Distribution & Marketing: Approaching festivals, streaming options, social media promotion, building a press kit. > User Prompt “We’ll do this in one conversation. First, I want you to ask me the key questions you need to build a thorough documentary plan based on the Documentary Jumpstart Kit’s guidelines. Then, once I’ve answered, combine all my answers into a single cohesive plan. Specifically: 1. Begin by asking me 4–6 essential questions. Aim to clarify my documentary idea, audience, budget or resource constraints, story angles, filming approach, and any distribution goals. 2. Wait for me to respond to each question. 3. After you have my responses, create a final plan that includes: A Refined Concept (my “why,” target audience, unique selling points). A Research & Pre-Production Outline (potential sources, experts, interview list, basic storyboard). A Funding & Pitch Strategy (grants, crowdfunding, pitch deck pointers). A Filming Plan (gear list, interview techniques, scheduling). A Post-Production Workflow (footage organization, narrative structure, editing software). A Distribution & Marketing Roadmap (festivals, platforms, marketing tactics).
And this was its response after it asked me 5 sets of questions, which I thought was quite good but I'm no expert, so please rate it for me. Documentary Plan: "Herewood: The Wild Heart of England" 1. Refined Concept Title (Working): Herewood: The Wild Heart of England This documentary explores the hidden wildlife, rich history, and evolving landscape of the Woolhope Dome in Herefordshire. Through immersive cinematography, expert interviews, and AI-assisted research, it uncovers the rare species, conservation efforts, and forgotten stories that define this unique region. Why This Documentary Matters Personal Connection: I live in the area, have observed rare species firsthand (e.g., pine martens), and am actively tracking wildlife. Education & Inspiration: I want to inspire people to appreciate and protect local wildlife and heritage. AI & Conservation: The documentary will highlight how modern tools—like AI-powered tracking and historical research—can enhance conservation efforts and historical understanding. Target Audience Wildlife enthusiasts (National Geographic/BBC audience) History buffs and local heritage lovers Tech & AI enthusiasts interested in conservation applications Conservationists and researchers Casual documentary viewers who enjoy immersive storytelling --- 2. Research & Pre-Production Outline Primary Research Areas Wildlife: Tracking roe deer, blacktail deer, muntjac, pine martens, woodpeckers, and rare insects through observation and AI-assisted monitoring. Historical Landscape: Examining archival maps, records, and photographs from the Hereford archives to trace changes over time. Local Stories: Interviewing residents, conservationists, and historians to document personal connections to the land. Potential Experts & Interviewees Wildlife Experts: Conservationists tracking rare species in Herefordshire. Historians & Archivists: Researchers at the Hereford archives who can provide historical insights. Local Residents: Long-time community members with knowledge of the land’s evolution.