Everyone knows storytelling is important. At this point, it’s practically a filmmaking commandment. But if you work with real people, whether in documentaries, weddings, non-profit films, commercials, or corporate projects, you know how difficult it can be to tell great stories consistently. Creating films that are genuinely engaging and emotionally resonant is challenging enough. Creating stories that audiences truly care about can feel even harder. Unlike narrative filmmakers, you don’t have the luxury of inventing compelling characters or carefully crafting dramatic plots from scratch. Instead, you have to work with the people in front of you: your subjects, your clients, or whoever is available to be part of the story. And the reality is that not everyone you make a film about will naturally seem interesting. That’s simply part of the job.
When you find yourself in that situation, you have two choices. You can throw up your hands, accept the limitations, and settle for something average. Or you can commit even more deeply to the storytelling process, dig beneath the surface of your characters, and work to uncover a story worth telling despite the challenges
The second approach is undoubtedly more demanding. It takes more effort, patience, and persistence, and it can often be frustrating. But it raises an important question: which approach is more likely to help you grow as a filmmaker? Which one is more likely to make your work stand out?
Telling powerful stories under any circumstances isn’t easy, but it is possible. We know because we’ve seen it happen again and again. That’s why we invited Patrick Moreau, a five-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and one of the most talented and dedicated storytellers we know, to teach a workshop on non-fiction storytelling and share the step-by-step process he uses to craft moving films with real people.
