Viability

     I just read an article by William Gazecki posted on DVFormat.com. The article can be seen here. In this article Mr. Gazecki claims that documentaries don’t make money. But, they are a good way for filmmakers to practice and stay active.

     I couldn’t disagree more. Even if you discount the vast number of pure documentaries that turn a profit and can be found on sites like The Documentary Blog, there are still the “common” documentaries.

     By “common” I am referring to the made for television documentaries that can be found on The Discovery Channel or the BBC. These productions are absolutely required to turn a profit, or they do not get made at all.

     Going a step further we can even include Reality Television. While it may be abhorred by the artistic elements of the industry the fact remains that Reality Television is, in it’s essence, a form of documentary production. And, more importantly, it makes a lot of money while turning its subjects into celebrities.

     Mr. Gazecki made his error in reducing the entire medium into a single concept. The truth of his statement would only exist if it were rephrased, “Documentaries don’t make money unless they are entertaining”.

     This is the case with my current production. This documentary is founded on the idea of entertainment, and will be completed for the purpose of profit.

     If you can give the audience something they want to watch then you will have no problem turning a profit.