How to Create Great Character Arcs in Documentary Filmmaking

Every character in a story goes on a journey, but not all of them leave a lasting impression. Some characters stick with us, while others are quickly forgotten. Why? It’s not just about what happens to them, but how they change and grow. This is true for both fictional stories and documentaries.

In documentary filmmaking, it's harder to find character arcs. You’re working with real people. But showing how real people change can make your film powerful and memorable. In this article, we’ll look at how to create great character arcs in documentaries. We'll use examples like Cleo from The Pearl of Africa and my own story in Puppy Mafia to show how to make characters relatable and interesting.

What Is a Character Arc?

A character arc is how a character changes from the beginning of a story to the end. They face challenges that push them to grow and transform. In documentaries, it's important to show these changes. It makes the story feel real and helps the audience connect with the character.

Why Do Character Arcs Matter in Documentaries?

In documentary films, real people are the main characters. A character arc helps the audience feel connected to them. Without an arc, the story might feel flat or boring. The audience needs to see the characters face difficulties and grow from them.

Take The Pearl of Africa, for example. Cleo’s journey from fear to strength makes her story unforgettable. In Puppy Mafia, my quest for justice after a loss makes the story relatable. These character arcs help the audience care about what happens in the film.

"The best stories are about transformation. Characters face challenges and come out different on the other side. These arcs make stories feel real and relatable."

Key Parts of a Character Arc

Every character starts in what’s called the “ordinary world.” This is their life before everything changes. Showing this helps the audience understand who the character is and what they want or need.

The Ordinary World

The “ordinary world” is where we meet the character. It’s their normal life before the big changes happen. In documentaries, showing a character's ordinary life sets the stage for the challenges ahead.

In The Pearl of Africa, Cleo starts in Uganda. She struggles to be accepted by her community. In Puppy Mafia, my normal life was peaceful until the loss of my dog turned everything upside down.

The Inciting Incident

The inciting incident is what changes everything for the character. It pushes them out of their comfort zone and into a new journey. In documentaries, this can be a big moment or event in the person’s life.

For Cleo in The Pearl of Africa, the inciting incident was deciding to leave Uganda for her safety. This moment started her on a journey of transformation. In Puppy Mafia, the loss of my dog was the event that drove me to investigate the illegal puppy trade.

External and Internal Goals

Every character has two types of goals: an external goal and an internal goal. The external goal is what they want to achieve in the world. The internal goal is about their emotions and needs. These goals create tension and make the story interesting.

In The Pearl of Africa, Cleo’s external goal is to live freely as herself. Her internal goal is to find acceptance and peace. In Puppy Mafia, I wanted to expose the illegal puppy trade. I also sought justice for my dog's death.

Raising the Stakes

Raising the stakes means making the challenges harder for the character. This makes their journey more intense and keeps the audience hooked. In Puppy Mafia, each new discovery about the illegal puppy trade raised the stakes. It pushed me forward on my journey.

In documentaries, you want the stakes to rise as the film goes on. This helps show the character’s growth and keeps the audience interested in the outcome.

Why Internal Conflict Is Important

While external events are important, internal conflict is what makes characters feel real. Internal conflicts are the character's fears, doubts, and struggles.

In The Pearl of Africa, Cleo’s internal conflict is her fear of being persecuted and her desire for freedom. These inner struggles make her character deeper and more relatable.

Using Voiceovers for Internal Thoughts

In documentaries, voiceovers are a useful way to share a character’s inner thoughts. You can't always show a person's feelings through actions. So, voiceovers help explain their emotions.

"Voiceovers are often discouraged in traditional filmmaking. But, in documentaries, they can be helpful." They should add to the story without explaining everything too directly.”

Using a voiceover allows the audience to connect more with the character by hearing their internal struggles. This can make their journey more emotional and relatable.

Turning Points in a Documentary

Turning points are big moments in the story. They change everything for the character. These moments push the character forward and force them to make tough decisions.

In The Pearl of Africa, one of the key turning points is when Cleo decides to leave Uganda for her safety. This decision changes her life and is a major moment in the film. In Puppy Mafia, my turning points were both internal and external. Losing my second dog was a personal turning point. Discovering the network behind the illegal puppy trade was an external one.

Avoiding Flat Characters

A common mistake in documentaries is creating flat characters that don’t change or grow. If the character stays the same, the story can feel boring or uninteresting. Make sure your characters face challenges that force them to evolve during the film.

"I constantly review my characters' journeys. I want them to feel real and resonate with the audience."

Storytelling Through Cinematic Tools

Creating a documentary isn’t just about capturing footage. You must use all your tools to grab the audience. This includes cinematography, sound, and editing.

The Power of Subtext

Subtext is the hidden meaning behind a character’s words or actions. In a documentary, subtext can come from body language, pauses, or things the character doesn’t say out loud. These subtle clues can add a lot of depth to the story.

Using Music to Set the Mood

Music is another powerful tool in documentary filmmaking. The right music can add emotion to a scene and make it more powerful. In films, music guides the audience's emotions and enhances the story.

Choose music that fits the tone of the scene. For example, slow music can add sadness to a moment. Upbeat music can make a turning point feel exciting.

Visual Storytelling

The visuals in your film are just as important as the story. Cinematography techniques like camera angles, lighting, and composition help tell the story visually. Use these tools to show the character's emotions and journey. Avoid explaining everything through dialogue.

For example, in The Pearl of Africa, Cleo is often shown in small, enclosed spaces. This reflects her feeling trapped. As she grows stronger, the cinematography changes to show her in more open, free spaces.

How to Create Strong Character Arcs in Documentaries

To make sure your character arcs are memorable, follow these tips:

• Set clear goals: Every character should have both an external goal and an internal goal. This helps shape the story and gives the audience something to root for.

• Raise the stakes: Introduce new challenges and obstacles throughout the film. This keeps the audience interested in the character’s journey.

• Focus on internal conflict: The character’s emotional journey is just as important as the external events in the film.

• Create strong turning points: These moments should be driven by the character’s choices and push them to grow.

• Use cinematic tools: Things like music, subtext, and voiceovers can make the story more immersive and emotional.

Review and Adjust Your Character Arcs

Once you have a rough version of your documentary, review the character arcs. Ask yourself if the characters’ changes feel real and impactful. Do the turning points make sense? Is the emotional journey clear?

Taking the time to refine these arcs will make your film stronger and more engaging.

Learn More About Documentary Filmmaking

To learn about character arcs in documentary storytelling, check my free DocHero's Journey cheat sheet at LearnDocumentary.com/dochero. It will help you master the art of character development and story structure in your own films.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when crafting character arcs:

Flat Characters

Make sure your characters change and grow throughout the story. If they stay the same, the audience may lose interest. Keep adjusting the arc to make sure it feels natural and engaging.

Overusing Voiceovers

Voiceovers can be helpful, but don’t use them to explain everything. Let your visuals and the character’s actions tell part of the story too. Voiceovers should add depth, not just explain what’s already obvious.

Ignoring Visual Storytelling

Pay attention to the visuals in your film. Techniques like framing, lighting, and composition aid the story. They add emotion, too. Don’t rely only on interviews or voiceovers.

Conclusion

Creating great character arcs in documentary filmmaking is about showing growth and transformation. Use emotional stories, high stakes, and cinematic tools. This will make your documentaries powerful and memorable. The best documentaries show how real people evolve over time. Whether it's Cleo fighting for her identity in The Pearl of Africa or my quest for justice in Puppy Mafia.

Documentary filmmaking is more than showing events. It's about telling a story that resonates with the audience. Your character arcs are key to making your film relatable, emotional, and unforgettable. To create a real and compelling documentary, give your characters clear goals. Show their internal conflicts. Use cinematic techniques like subtext, music, and visual storytelling.

If you want to improve your documentary filmmaking, focus on your characters' growth. Their journey, both internal and external, will be the heartbeat of your story.

Learn More About Documentary Filmmaking

Want to dive even deeper into the art of storytelling? Don’t forget to download my free DocHero’s Journey cheat sheet on LearnDocumentary.com/dochero. This guide will help you master great documentary filmmaking. It covers character development, story arcs, and other key elements.

Remember, great stories come from real people facing real challenges. Show your characters' growth. Your audience will remember your film long after they've watched it.