: Clearly define what the subject is trying to achieve (e.g., securing funding, finishing a lifelong project, or revealing a systemic injustice). 2. The Development (Act II: Conflict & Access) How To Make a Documentary About Yourself, Family or Friends

But the modern explosion truly began with the streaming wars. Netflix, HBO, and Hulu realized that a documentary about a scandal cost a fraction of a scripted drama but garnered the same, if not higher, viewership. Suddenly, we were flooded with titles like This Is Pop , The Defiant Ones , and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck .

The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of the blockbuster era, with films like "Jaws" (1975), "Star Wars" (1977), and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) redefining the movie industry. This period also saw the rise of home video, with the introduction of VHS and later DVD.