Documentary Development
From Script to Screen—Full-Service Feature Documentary Creation
A great documentary doesn’t start with a camera—it starts with a story. At Prescott Books, we offer complete documentary development services that take your concept from the earliest idea to a production-ready screenplay, visual roadmap, and execution plan.
Whether rooted in truth, inspired by fiction, or crafted as a hybrid narrative, we work with authors, thought leaders, and creatives to turn compelling ideas into powerful cinematic experiences.
This is not just a pitch treatment. This is the full script-to-production development journey.
What We Develop
We focus exclusively on feature-length documentaries, and we welcome a wide range of creative sources:
- True Story Documentaries
Biographical, investigative, historical, cultural, or social-issue driven films. - Fiction-Inspired Documentaries
Stories told through a documentary lens using fictional characters, stylized visuals, or invented histories (e.g., mockumentary, archival fiction, alternate histories). - Hybrid Documentaries
Mixing nonfiction storytelling with scripted elements, reenactments, or thematic dramatization.
We specialize in adapting books, essays, concepts, and true-life events into cinematic, structured narratives designed for professional production.
What’s Included
This is a complete script-to-screen package for a short feature documentary, including planning, writing, filming, editing, and delivery. Whether your story is nonfiction, fiction-inspired, or hybrid, we take your vision from the page to the finished film.
You’ll receive:
1. Creative Development & Pre-Production
- Story discovery and vision alignment sessions
- Narrative structure and concept refinement
- Written documentary outline or script (narration, scenes, or interview structure)
- Interviewee/subject prep and production plan
- Visual style and tone planning (cinematography, locations, mood)
2. Filming (1–2 Days On-Location)
- Professional videography with a small documentary crew
- Interviews, b-roll, and supplemental footage (based on story needs)
- Direction and on-site story shaping
- Audio capture, lighting, and field production setup
3. Post-Production
- Full video editing (cutting, color grading, audio mix, transitions)
- Voiceover integration or scripted narration
- Motion graphics, titles, and lower thirds (as needed)
- Licensed music and sound design
- Final delivery in HD or 4K (as required)
4. Distribution-Ready Delivery
- Final film delivered in formats suitable for web, social, or festival submission
- Short teaser/trailer version (30–60 sec) for promotional use
- Optional support with launch strategy or audience targeting
- Metadata and documentation for YouTube/Vimeo or private hosting
Why Prescott Books?
Narrative-First Development
We don’t just shape facts—we shape stories. Our team understands the storytelling mechanics that make a feature documentary both impactful and marketable.
Built for Authors and Creators
Many of our clients come from a literary background. We help bridge the gap between written word and screen format with clear, strategic development support.
Fiction-Aware + Industry-Savvy
We are comfortable navigating both factual storytelling and creative reimaginings. Whether you’re working from a true memoir or adapting a novel through a documentary lens, we bring the right tools to shape your vision.
Who This Is For
- Authors adapting their book into a feature documentary
- Filmmakers and producers needing full script and production structure
- Experts, speakers, or thought leaders turning a concept into a documentary vehicle
- Artists and storytellers developing hybrid or cinematic nonfiction projects
What You’ll Walk Away With
By the end of this full-service development and production process, you will receive a complete, professionally produced feature documentary, along with all the creative, narrative, and visual assets required for promotion and distribution.
You will walk away with:
- A fully written and structured documentary script or screenplay
Including narration, scene sequencing, and creative direction for interviews, visuals, and pacing. - A scene-by-scene production blueprint
Featuring act structure, location planning, interview questions, and visual storytelling design to guide filming and editing. - Professional filming and direction (1–2 days on location)
Including interviews, b-roll, narrative shots, lighting, sound capture, and on-set creative supervision. - A fully edited, cinematic documentary
Complete with color grading, audio mastering, licensed music, transitions, and graphics—formatted for festivals, online platforms, or presentations. - Narration/voiceover track recorded and integrated
Written during development, recorded by a professional voice actor (or you), and edited into the final film. - A visual and stylistic identity
Defined through camera direction, tone, and editorial treatment, reflected consistently across your film and marketing assets. - A promotional teaser or trailer (30–60 seconds)
Perfect for sharing on social media or introducing your documentary at events or online. - Distribution-ready deliverables
Final film in HD or 4K formats, metadata files, and support materials for uploading to Vimeo, YouTube, or festival portals.
What You’ll Receive
- A complete, original screenplay adapted from your source material
- Final Draft (.fdx) and PDF formats for submissions
- Optional coverage, treatment, or pitch materials
- Strategic guidance on where and how to pitch your adapted script
From Page to Production
You’re not just developing an idea—you’re building a film. We partner with you from story concept through to a complete, scripted, and structured documentary that’s ready for cameras to roll.
In development documentaries. For film festivals in 2025-2026.
Our current slate of feature documentaries is in development for film festivals in 2025–2026. These projects explore powerful themes, untold narratives, and compelling voices from around the world. As we move through development, production, and post, we’re excited to share behind-the-scenes updates, filmmaker insights, and sneak peeks into the creative process. Stay tuned—these are the stories worth waiting for.
