Where great documentary ideas come from

Mark Bone May 15, 2025
Video Thumbnail
Mark Bone Logo

Mark Bone

@markbone

About

I'm a documentary film director from Canada sharing my experience on how to make your films better. I run the world’s best film academy https://theartofdocumentary.com and I love you.

Video Description

This week is your LAST CHANCE to join AOD until re-open enrolment in September. All courses are on sale, up to 40% off when you bundle. JOIN NOW:  https://theartofdocumentary.com We also just launched our BRAND NEW course CinePath Pro™: The Complete Guide to Becoming a Full-Time DP,  is launching May 12th. Taught by pro DP Nik Pilecki, CinePath Pro™ gives you the clearest, most practical path to becoming a working Director of Photography - not someday - now. GIVEAWAY: We are doing an INSANE giveaway, a full documentary kit, 4x Simera-C Lenses + a Sony Fx30. Check out the giveaway on our instagram here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxkn9az GEAR LIST The BEST MIC Cos-11 Mic: https://bhpho.to/3XRbvyp [BH] My Camera: https://bhpho.to/3Wj3XU4 [BH] My Lens 28-45mm 1.8f: https://bhpho.to/4bS6Dwt [BH] My Lens 24-70mm 2.8f: https://bhpho.to/3VYS3Nr [BH] Mic Stickies:https://bhpho.to/4cUdDd6 [BH] Senheisser Mic: https://bit.ly/3VWZTbO Senheisser EW-DP: https://bit.ly/3VZ1ttB Ultra light Camera Arm: https://tinyurl.com/459dzkt9 Mist Filter: https://amzn.to/4f3HstF [Amazon] Offbrand Powerblock: https://amzn.to/4cQh44b [Amazon] My Sennheiser In-ear headphones: https://amzn.to/3zmPc9t [Amazon] Sony Hotshoe Mic Packs: https://bhpho.to/45Yhh3e [BH] Card Reader & Case: https://amzn.to/3VSrY2F [Amazon] CONTACT ME/SEE MY WORK: https://markbone.com Follow me: https://instagram.com/markandrewbone CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - the system to find good doc characters 1:14 - last days to join AOD 2:11 - research, finding good characters 2:50 - first steps, read the news 8:53 - reach out 14:00 - get out and travel 16:38 - explore your ideas 19:55 - get inspired 21:10 - summarize your film 22:45 - final thoughts As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Essential Documentary Filmmaking Gear

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light w 3 Cold Shoe Mounts Type C Charging Soft Light Panel for DJI OSMO 3 Pocket Xtra Muse Zhiyun Smooth 4 Sony RX100 VII Canon G7X Mark III A6400 6600 for Action ClimatePartner certified

ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light w 3 Cold Shoe Mounts Type C Charging Soft Light Panel for DJI OSMO 3 Pocket Xtra Muse Zhiyun Smooth 4 Sony RX100 VII Canon G7X Mark III A6400 6600 for Action ClimatePartner certified

(9,283)
$23.62
FREE delivery Sun, May 17 on your first order
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
AC Power Cord Cable Fit for Sony PS5 PS4 PS3 Slim PlayStation 5 4 3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S, TV, Printer Universal 2 Prong Supply Replacement - (ETL Listed Cable)

AC Power Cord Cable Fit for Sony PS5 PS4 PS3 Slim PlayStation 5 4 3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S, TV, Printer Universal 2 Prong Supply Replacement - (ETL Listed Cable)

(5,351)
$8.49
Prime
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
NEEWER Advanced 18 inch LED Ring Light for Phone, LCD Touch Screen, 2.4G Remote Lights Control, 3200-5600K, Tripod Light for iPhone Action Camera, for Studio Makeup TikTok YouTube Video Salon (Black)

NEEWER Advanced 18 inch LED Ring Light for Phone, LCD Touch Screen, 2.4G Remote Lights Control, 3200-5600K, Tripod Light for iPhone Action Camera, for Studio Makeup TikTok YouTube Video Salon (Black)

(2,807)
$181.49
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10
Loading...
Digital Camera,3in LCD Screen Portable Camera,18X Zoom HD SLR Long Focal Length Camera with Large Capacity Battery for Photography (Standard Type)

Digital Camera,3in LCD Screen Portable Camera,18X Zoom HD SLR Long Focal Length Camera with Large Capacity Battery for Photography (Standard Type)

(3)
$56.76
FREE delivery Aug 27 - Sep 18
Loading...
Birosnsy Digital Camera 4K 50MP with 32GB SD Card 2.88" IPS LCD Screen Auto Focus 16xDigital 9 Shooting Modes Zoom Entry Beginner 0.23LB HD Portable Mini Camera(Black, Batteries X2, Charging Head X1)

Birosnsy Digital Camera 4K 50MP with 32GB SD Card 2.88" IPS LCD Screen Auto Focus 16xDigital 9 Shooting Modes Zoom Entry Beginner 0.23LB HD Portable Mini Camera(Black, Batteries X2, Charging Head X1)

(109)
$42.99
PrimeFREE delivery Sat, Jun 14
Loading...
4K HD Digital Camera, 18X Zoom Selfie Vlogging Camera Autofocus with 2.8 Inch LCD Display, Portable 64MP Compact Video Camcorder Anti Shake for Travel (Black)

4K HD Digital Camera, 18X Zoom Selfie Vlogging Camera Autofocus with 2.8 Inch LCD Display, Portable 64MP Compact Video Camcorder Anti Shake for Travel (Black)

(0)
$49.26
FREE delivery Aug 19 - 29
Loading...
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXD-128G-GN4IN
Best Seller

SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXD-128G-GN4IN

(71,074)
$29.99$26.61
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10 on your first order
4K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Lexar D40E 256GB Dual Drive USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C™ Jump Drive, USB-C Flash Drive Metal Housing Swivel Design Thumb Drive

Lexar D40E 256GB Dual Drive USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C™ Jump Drive, USB-C Flash Drive Metal Housing Swivel Design Thumb Drive

(2,310)
$35.99
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10
2K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Lexar 128GB Micro SD Card, microSDXC UHS-I Flash Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 100MB/s, A1, U3, Class10, V30, High Speed TF Card

Lexar 128GB Micro SD Card, microSDXC UHS-I Flash Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 100MB/s, A1, U3, Class10, V30, High Speed TF Card

(26,884)
$18.99
FREE delivery Wed, Aug 20 on your first order
5K+ bought in past month
Loading...
LG 55-Inch C4 OLED evo 4K Smart TV - α9 AI Processor 4K, Alexa Built-in, 144Hz Refresh Rate, HDMI 2.1, G-Sync, FreeSync, VRR, WebOS 24, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos (OLED55C4PUA, 2024)
Amazon's Choice

LG 55-Inch C4 OLED evo 4K Smart TV - α9 AI Processor 4K, Alexa Built-in, 144Hz Refresh Rate, HDMI 2.1, G-Sync, FreeSync, VRR, WebOS 24, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos (OLED55C4PUA, 2024)

(83)
1,496.98
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
Loading...
OYIB Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Mini Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones HD Stereo Audio, ENC Noise Cancelling Mic Wireless Earphones 25H Playtime, IPX7 Waterproof, Touch Control in Ear Wireless Headphone White

OYIB Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Mini Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones HD Stereo Audio, ENC Noise Cancelling Mic Wireless Earphones 25H Playtime, IPX7 Waterproof, Touch Control in Ear Wireless Headphone White

(1,932)
$19.79
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 4 HD Mic, 50H Playtime Bluetooth Earbuds with LED Display, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Earphones, Touch Control Ear Buds,USB-C White

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 4 HD Mic, 50H Playtime Bluetooth Earbuds with LED Display, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Earphones, Touch Control Ear Buds,USB-C White

(316)
$29.99
Prime
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 6 HD Mics, 2025 Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds, 36H Playtime and LED Display in Ear Earphones, IP7 Waterproof Wireless Headphones, Black

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 6 HD Mics, 2025 Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds, 36H Playtime and LED Display in Ear Earphones, IP7 Waterproof Wireless Headphones, Black

(159)
$29.99$26.99
FREE delivery Fri, Jan 2 on your first order
Loading...
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 4 HD Mic, 50H Playtime Bluetooth Earbuds with LED Display, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Earphones, Touch Control Ear Buds,USB-C White

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones HiFi Stereo with 4 HD Mic, 50H Playtime Bluetooth Earbuds with LED Display, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Earphones, Touch Control Ear Buds,USB-C White

(228)
$26.99
Prime
Loading...
Crucial T705 4TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD - Up to 14,100 MB/s - Game Ready - Internal Solid State Drive (PC) - +1mo Adobe CC - CT4000T705SSD3

Crucial T705 4TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe M.2 SSD - Up to 14,100 MB/s - Game Ready - Internal Solid State Drive (PC) - +1mo Adobe CC - CT4000T705SSD3

(2,172)
$599.11
FREE delivery Jun 17 - 18