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Where are you with your film?

There's a lot on this site, so here's the route I'd take. Pick the stage you're at. Under each one, I've picked three blog posts to read first and a free download to go with them.

Sebastian Solberg, documentary filmmaker and mentor

Sebastian Solberg filming with a cinema camera Brand new? Start with this10 Secrets to Creating Cinematic Documentaries A free 42-minute training on finding your story, filming it well and starting your edit, with whatever kit you have. Watch the free training
1

Find your story

Every documentary starts with a person, a question and a reason to care. Start here if you have an idea, or if you're still looking for one.

Read this firstHow to Find Documentary Ideas: 5 Simple Steps (+ 50 Examples)Read the postWhat Makes a Good Documentary? 7 Key ElementsRead the postCharacter vs. Topic: The Art of Documentary StorytellingRead the post
Free downloadDocumentary Storytelling ToolkitSeven free tools in one: the treatment, three-act and script templates, 50 documentary ideas and a visual storytelling workbook.Get the free toolkit
2

Plan your film

Get the story down on paper before you film. It makes the filming, and later the edit, far easier.

Read this firstHow to Write a Documentary Treatment That Gets Funded [2026]Read the postHow to Structure a Documentary: The Three-Act GuideRead the postHow to Write a Documentary Script: The Complete Guide (With Free Templates)Read the post
Free downloadDocumentary Treatment TemplateA ready-made treatment slide deck, with a worked example from my film One Breath.Get the free template
3

Film it

You don't need a crew or a cinema camera. These cover the parts beginners find hardest: filming on your own, interviews and sound.

Read this firstSolo Documentary Filmmaking: A Step-by-Step GuideRead the postHow to Film a Documentary Interview: 7-Step GuideRead the postRecord Great Audio as a Solo Filmmaker: 6 Proven TipsRead the post
Free downloadDocumentary Camera GuideFind out which camera you need to make your documentary.Get the free guide
4

Edit it

The edit is where the film is really made, and where most people get stuck. I did too.

Read this firstHow to Edit a Documentary: 6-Step WorkflowRead the postHow to Build Suspense in a DocumentaryRead the postDocumentary Narration Styles: 4 Types Explained (2026)Read the post
Free downloadDocumentary Editing GuideHow to edit a documentary, from start to finish.Get the free guide
5

Fund and share it

Money, festivals and getting your film seen. Read these early, as they shape choices you make before you film.

Read this firstHow to Fund a Documentary: 8 Proven StrategiesRead the postHow to Get Your Documentary Into Film Festivals (5 Tips)Read the postHow to Get Your Documentary Distributed: Complete GuideRead the post
Free downloadDocumentary Pitch Deck TemplateA template to help you put together a pitch deck for your film.Get the free template

Wildlife

Making a wildlife film?

Start with my blog post on becoming a wildlife filmmaker, then get the free wildlife guide.

How to Become a Wildlife Filmmaker: A Step-by-Step GuideRead the postFree downloadWildlife Filmmaking GuideHow to get started as a wildlife filmmaker.Get the free guide

Coming early 2027: Wildlife Filmmaking Mastery, a new course with Emmy award-winning wildlife cinematographer Duncan Parker.

When you're ready

Want help with your film?

Choose how you'd like to learn, depending on where you are with your film.

Documentary Starter KitFor getting started · $25Documentary Starter KitFive short videos and six simple tools to get you from an idea to your first filmed sequence.Get the Starter Kit Documentary FundamentalsFor the whole film · $297Documentary FundamentalsAn online documentary filmmaking course that takes you step by step from idea to finished film, on your own schedule.See the course The Documentary MentorshipOne to one · by applicationThe Documentary MentorshipSix months working one to one with Sebastian to finish your film. Fundamentals and the Starter Kit are included.See the Mentorship

Or keep reading: all the posts on the blog and every free download.