Are you working on your documentary film project? Despite the difficulties in filmmaking, there are many amateur and award-winning filmmakers out there who continue to create the stories they earnestly want to tell to many people. Sean Penn said: “If it doesn’t end up on screen it will end up in you.” Indeed, you will set out on a journey that you will be committing much of your time but creating documentary films will be the most fulfilling work you have ever made in your life. In this article, we will provide some beneficial tips that you should learn and apply while writing your grant proposal for your documentary film. Plus, we include various grant proposal samples that you can use. Please continue reading!
Are you working on your documentary film project? Despite the difficulties in filmmaking, there are many amateur and award-winning filmmakers out there who continue to create the stories they earnestly want to tell to many people. Sean Penn said: “If it doesn’t end up on screen it will end up in you.” Indeed, you will set out on a journey that you will be committing much of your time but creating documentary films will be the most fulfilling work you have ever made in your life. In this article, we will provide some beneficial tips that you should learn and apply while writing your grant proposal for your documentary film. Plus, we include various grant proposal samples that you can use. Please continue reading!
FREE 10+ Documentary Grant Proposal Samples
1. Documentary Grant Proposal Sample
2. Documentary Film Grant Proposal
3. Short Documentary Grant Proposal
4. Documentary Grant Proposal Checklist
5. Printable Documentary Grant Proposal
6. Documentary Project Grant Proposal
7. Science and Technology Documentary Grant Proposal
8. Creative Documentary Grant Proposal
9. Editable Documentary Grant Proposal
10. Professional Documentary Grant Proposal
11. Documentary Film Project Grant Proposal
What is a Documentary Grant Proposal?
A documentary grant proposal is a written document of a clear and appealing introduction and other essential aspects of a particular documentary film project proposed by a film and movie producer. It demonstrates important details such as the documentary project history, target audience, storytelling approach, plan, and film budget.
How to Write a Documentary Grant Proposal
When you write a grant proposal, take note that you need to write simple and concise words and your tone should be positive, convincing, and motivating. Keep your entire proposal in one page only and it must have a 12-point text font with at least an inch of the margins. Below are important ways you can do while preparing documentary grant proposal:
1. Type the abstract and create the table of contents
In the first page, type the abstract or a one-page summary of your film for your grant proposal. Your goal here is to create a unique and appealing impression to your prospective investor. Make sure that the things you will put in this section will definitely capture the interest of your potential investor. Then, create a table of contents that will show each vital element in your proposal.
2. Include the film treatment
The next step is you must include a clear and concise narrative or simply, the film treatment of what you imagine that will exist on-screen of your documentary project. You can write in several pages long which consist of vivid descriptions and other information of your prospective characters and expected story beats. Keep this section between two and five pages.
3. Describe the concept, history, and cinematography style
Your documentary project proposal should provide a detailed description of the concept and history of your story. Allow your reader to know about the origin or basis of your documentary such as your topic interest, key influencing factors, personal connection, etc. Then, explain your cinematography style that you will execute on your film.
4. Outline your plan
What are the different stages of your documentary project? Outline the different stages of your plan such as the pre-production, research, scriptwriting, hiring and casting, shooting, editing, music composition and production, sound mixing, and post-production video editing.
5. Indicate your film budget
For the last paragraph of your grant proposal, indicate the summary of your film budget according to each stage of your documentary project. Open a spreadsheet and itemize each item necessary.
FAQs
To write an effective synopsis for your documentary film, you should use an active voice and apply vivid expressions. Avoid writing a classic overview of your story. Instead, you need to be straightforward when you tell your story briefly.How to write an effective documentary synopsis?
The first step that you need to do in writing a grant proposal is perform a background research on your potential funder. Follow closely the specific guidelines of your funder. Carefully discuss with each other by explaining your interests and goals concerning your project. Finally, consider editing and proofreading your proposal. How to write a grant proposal?
The core elements of a documentary film are interviews, cutaways, chill footage or cinema verite, process footage, and archive.What are the core elements of a documentary film?
Your documentary film should have an interesting story and it connects to the emotions and minds of the audience. So, you need to get the right focus to the film you’re working on and effectively convey the message to the people. What makes a documentary powerful?
Maxine Trump said: “We all have our own vision that comes from our own experiences and everyone is in different places of opportunity. Story ideas often come to you when you’re off experiencing something else entirely not just stuck in the process of production all the time. Make sure to make those opportunities in your life and get out and meet those amazing characters or make room to hear their stories.” Through a compelling grant proposal for your documentary film, you can make your story ideas into reality. To help you in writing your grant proposal for your documentary film, you can click and download our documentary proposal templates here!
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