In the past (on the TDL podcast), we have talked about the BTS person as someone who is shooting behind the scenes of someone else’s film, often times as a paid gig. And much of what we are about to inform you of can be applied to BTS as a profession. However, what we wish to share here is why it’s necessary for you and your film, and then best practices for shooting it. We are sharing why BTS is important for you, the doc filmmaker, for your own film projects.
What Is BTS?
BTS, or behind-the-scenes, is footage and still photographs taken outside of the actual footage of your documentary film. It is taken during a film shoot by an individual filmmaker who is usually separate from the actual film shoot. This footage is then later used for film marketing & promotions.
BTS is also known as the EPK or electronic press kit, but for the purposes of this tutorial let’s just simply call it BTS, since it’s generally how a lot of people in documentary film refer to it.
Where Will You Use Your BTS Footage and Stills?
BTS footage and stills can be used in any number of promotional capacities throughout the life cycle of your project, so let's take a look at some of those options now.
Key art stills
We're going to put key art stills at the top of this list, simply because they are often the most needed, the easiest to get and the least appreciated. Ensure that taking still photographs on your film set is not overlooked (as is often the case when you are busy making a film), because they will be a great resource.
If you don't remember and plan to take them then you may have to go back and try and recreate something to use, or worse, simply pull screen grabs from film footage! And that is not what you want to be doing.
These stills could be used for your movie posters, postcards, websites, film press kits, grant applications & other proposals, all manner of social media sharing.. you name it, there is a need for quality stills for key art purposes.
For example: This is the film poster for our doc film Journey to Kathmandu, in which we used two still images that we captured while filming.
There is a reason why bigger budgeted film sets have a position for just this, shooting nothing but stills. Good quality stills give legitimacy and production value to your project. So take this seriously, and remember to take photographs of crew members, setups, interviews, key subjects from your film, film locations, etc.
And if you don’t have a quality camera on-hand do not be shy to use your mobile device. These phones have incredible resolution nowadays, so don’t worry about that. Just ensure you are covering your bases.
Utilize the people you’re working with. Encourage them to take photos with their phones as well, asking them to just send you copies of what they shoot. (Just make sure that you get them to sign a release for usage later on, since you’ve no idea how you might want to end up using them.)
DVD extras
Another usage of your BTS footage could be as extras for your film DVD or digital download. Being able to offer extras – especially with video on demand – can be a great way to entice people to pay a little more for a film package. This means that there can be some financial incentive to be shooting BTS as well. These extras can be additional scenes that were cut from the film, they could be additional interviews or the classic how-to segments are a great way to make an extra.
People want, and almost expect, to have this kind of access to the making of documentary films these days. And you don't want to disappoint your audience!
Our Experience For our film Journey to Kathmandu, we released a really impressive looking package that included the DVD and a CD of the film’s soundtrack. The DVD itself was loaded with really cool extras, that in particular, were put together with the independent documentary filmmaker in mind. So there were a lot of how-to type video extras. There was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film’s score, there were additional scenes that didn’t make the cut of the film, there was a whole 45 minute segment that never made it to the film, there was a film short that we put together with one of the cast of the film. These additions were all from the BTS footage that we shot and were also included on the video on demand release as a part of the Deluxe Director’s Edition. |
Social media posting and film website
Posting on your social media platforms is another way to be utilizing and sharing your BTS footage and stills. Throughout all phases of production, post production, and release of your film, you will have an opportunity to get people excited and create buzz for your film, by using social media.
Specifically, in this case, by employing BTS footage and stills into your social media posts. So, for example, we mentioned including a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Journey to Kathmandu score in our DVD extras. But in addition to your DVD extras, this kind of video (if kept under 2 mins) can also be great to use in your social media or film website postings.
The more video like this that you are occasionally popping out onto social media, the more people will be naturally drawn to who you are as a filmmaker as well as sparking more interest and awareness around your film.
Why not post your videos to your Youtube account and then share a link within your social media platforms, place into your blog posts and email out to your email list. This is a great way to get, and keep, people engaged with your doc film.
Your film press kit
As we just discussed in the prior tutorial, you will want to be getting the word out about your film via your film press kit. As a documentary filmmaker, when you want to contact someone from the press, or a blogger reaches out to you, or a video podcast or television news show wants to have you on their show, you will want to have a slick-looking and easy-to-use film press kit prepared to share with them. It is commonplace nowadays to have some BTS videos as part of your film press kit. These videos produced from your BTS footage can make for a great visually stimulating and engaging way to bring someone into the world of your film.
Who Will Shoot Your BTS?
It's important to recognize that unlike bigger, more commercial sets, you will most likely NOT be paying someone to shoot BTS for you.
You may decide to hire someone to shoot this for you, we're not saying don't - if you have the resources and budget for it - but in all likelihood you won't choose to do this and so the BTS footage and stills you will need for your film will have to come from you.
And that will most likely mean a combination of footage that you shoot yourself and footage that your producer, other crew members or friends will be shooting. Do not make the mistake of thinking that because you’re either a solo or skeleton crew documentary filmmaker that there will not be a way for you and others to be getting BTS.
However, what we would suggest that you don't just leave it to chance and HOPE that appropriate and beneficial footage and stills are captured. You will need to be clearer and more strategic than that.
1. Have a clear idea of what you want to capture, i.e., specific interviews, locations, experiences. Make lists, draw diagrams, talk through your vision, whatever you need to do to get the best BTS for your film.
2. Designate particular crew members, friends or yourself to capture this content. Whether you prearrange this (and possibly adjust as you go) this ahead of time or whether you designate people on the day or at the time of shooting.
3. Ensure you retrieve all the footage in a timely manner and have appropriate releases signed where necessary.
Believe us when we tell you that, you can, and should be getting footage that would fall under the BTS category while you’re making your doc film.
Some Ideas: Interviews with your cast (interviewees) or crew members, you talking directly to the camera about your process of making your film - any hurdles, challenges, triumphs, footage of interesting locations and people while you’re working on your film… these are just a few ideas for you to be considering.
Tips For Shooting BTS
Have reliable gear
If you’re having someone shoot video footage of your shoot, you’ll want to make sure that they have reliable gear. That may sound obvious, but because you may not necessarily know how the footage is going to be used yet, you’ll want to always be getting the best video and audio that you possibly can. So you will want to make sure a decent camera is being used, as well as a shotgun mic mounted to the camera. And then, if you’re wanting your shooter to be getting any interviews, they’ll want to have a lav set on-hand as well.
Now, I do realize that we’re independent filmmakers here, so most likely our good camera is what is being used for the actual film shoot. If this is the case, an iPhone or dslr can work as well. Just make sure that you’re shooting full resolution and that all precautions are being taken to get as steady a shot as possible.
Be a BTS storyteller
The next tip deals with storytelling. It’s easy to get in the mindset that if you’re shooting BTS you’re just getting B-roll type stuff. But that is by no means always the case. You might be covering things like crew meetings, fundraising parties, or the recording of music for your film.There are many opportunities for shooting behind-the-scenes type stuff that isn’t of your actual film shoot. So, it’s important to remember when shooting your BTS, you are still a storyteller. You still want to be in the mindset of a storyteller.
Again, it’s hard to say until later how your BTS might be used, so it’s a good idea to get in the habit of always thinking story story story. Just as you would when shooting your actual doc.
One of our favorite pieces of BTS from Journey to Kathmandu had nothing do with the filming of the film, it wasn’t even in Nepal. It was a short film that we made from the BTS that we shot of the awesome musicians behind the score for the film. It was a making of the score type video. And it’s a popular one of the extras that comes with the film.
You can watch it here:
So again, just as you would during the filming of your actual documentary film, be thinking like a storyteller as you shoot your BTS footage and stills. The footage and short film possibilities - promotional or otherwise – if you approach your BTS in this fashion, will be bountiful.
Shoot yourself
Now, if you don’t have someone who is able to shoot any BTS of your actual shoot, don’t be afraid to shoot yourself. And we don’t just mean don’t be afraid to put the camera on other things than your doc subject. We mean, as in, don’t be afraid to talk directly to camera, when it’s appropriate.
Sometimes, some of the best BTS is when the director turns the camera on him or herself and describes what they’re experiencing in a given moment. This can provide some great insight into your filmmaking process, it can make for great future crowdfunding moments because you can address potential donors directly and there are zillions of ways that you can engage with your audience via social media when you’re doing little pieces to camera.
You don’t even need your actual camera for this, of course, you can simply use your smart phone. Nowadays people are so used to being engaged in this fashion, this kind of selfie video style. So no excuses and don’t be shy to do it! (We know it can be daunting to speak directly to camera, but hey, if you shoot it and don't like it - and you probably will appreciate it later - nobody will ever have to see it!)
Offload your footage at end of day
The last thing that we want to mention deals with the offloading of your BTS footage, which you’re going to want to do at the end of the day, just as you would all of your footage from the actual shoot.
This really is about any BTS footage and stills that might be shot on a mobile device, since anything shot on the main shoot’s camera will obviously be transferred with all of the other footage.
The reason that you want to make sure and offload footage from you phone at the end is that when you go to look for BTS footage it’s much easier to find it by day of the shoot since you know what folder of what drive it’ll be on.
If you’re not regularly offloading your BTS, you risk it sitting on your phone for who knows how long. And then when you finally do dump it, you’re going to have it mixed in with anything else that’s ever been shot on your phone since the last time you dumped photos and videos. Having to go through that mess everytime you want to find some specific BTS is such a waste of time!
So, just as you would with the daily footage, make sure to offload all of your BTS content as well. It’ll make life a lot easier for you, trust me.
Final Thoughts
Remember, as a doc filmmaker, you always have to be your biggest advocate.
You are selling you, and you are selling your film.
Your film promotions are a big aspect of what you need to be focused on, and achieving, with your documentary film and we think we've shown that your behind-the-scenes footage and stills are an important part of that.
Be strategic and clear with what you want to accomplish and keep those cameras rolling!