Nonfiction Video Storytelling #1

What is the primary source of compelling documentary ideas according to the authors?

• Industry trends

• Personal connection to the subject

• Archival footage availability

• News headlines

Which of the following is NOT listed as a common way to begin the documentary idea process?

• Observing your environment

• Pitching studio executives

• Reflecting on personal experiences

• Exploring questions or issues

When a documentary filmmaker starts with a “burning question,” the key challenge becomes:

• Shooting in the right location

• Writing a compelling voiceover

• Finding the right characters and structure

• Avoiding legal issues

The authors encourage students to:

• Avoid controversial subjects

• Focus only on stories with clear resolution

• Follow stories where the outcome is already known

• Embrace uncertainty and allow the story to evolve

According to the text, an idea becomes cinematic when:

• It can be turned into a screenplay

• It involves only interviews and narration

• It has strong visual and emotional elements

• It relies heavily on data and statistics

In a character-driven structure, the story is propelled by:

• The historical context

• A narrator's exposition

• The actions and development of a central subject

• A recurring interview format

The “Voice” of a documentary refers to:

• The literal voiceover narration

• The director's personality and stylistic choices

• The audio design

• The opinions of interview subjects

The chapter emphasizes that structure should emerge from:

• The editing software used

• A pre-written script

• The material and what the filmmaker discovers in the process

• A fixed three-act format

Which of the following best describes a montage sequence in film editing?

• A) A single, unbroken shot

• B) A linear timeline of events

• C) A thematic or conceptual grouping of elements

• D) A singular location

What narrative principle helps maintain audience engagement throughout a documentary?

• Randomized interview order

• Sustaining a central dramatic question

• Including as many facts as possible

• Including as many facts as possible