Overshooting is one of the most common problems in documentary filmmaking and video production.
You show up motivated. You roll constantly. You capture everything.
And months later, you’re drowning in hard drives, buried in footage, and stuck in an edit that feels impossible to shape.
So how do you know what to shoot, how much to shoot, and when to stop shooting?
It comes down to two simple questions—but most filmmakers only focus on one of them.
If you’re unsure what actually matters in a documentary, or you’re overshooting “just in case,” this framework will bring everything into sharp focus.
Why Filmmakers Overshoot in the First Place
Overshooting doesn’t happen because you’re lazy or inexperienced. It happens because you care.
You don’t want to miss something important.
You’re afraid the moment you don’t film will be the moment the story happens.
But great filmmakers don’t shoot everything.
They shoot intentionally.
The key is learning how to filter reality while you’re filming, not months later in the edit.
Question #1: What Are My Main Characters Trying to Achieve?
This is the first filter—and it’s about plot.
Ask yourself:
What are my characters trying to achieve right now?
Once you answer that, your shooting priorities become obvious.
You film:
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Scenes
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Moments
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Interviews
that show them trying to succeed or risking failure.
That’s plot.
A Simple Example: A Basketball Documentary
Let’s say you’re following a basketball team for an entire season.
The plot is clear:
They’re trying to win a championship.
So what belongs in the film?
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Games
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Practices
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Team meetings
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Discipline
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Injuries
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Internal conflicts
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Moments that threaten or advance the season
If a scene moves them closer to the goal or further away from it, it belongs.
If it doesn’t—it probably doesn’t.
Simple.
But plot alone is not enough.
But Plot Alone is Boring (And That’s Where Most Films Go Wrong)
If plot were enough, we could all just watch a scoreboard.
A team you don’t know or care about won’t move you—no matter how dramatic the game is.
That’s why plot only gives you half of what you need to shoot.
The other half is character.
Question #2: Does This Help Me Understand Why This Person Is the Way They Are?
This is the question most filmmakers forget to ask.
Plot tells us what happens.
Character tells us why it matters.
Ask yourself:
Does this moment help me understand who this person really is?
You’re looking for:
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Strengths
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Flaws
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Fears
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Motivations
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Backstory
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Pressure outside the main event
If a scene deepens our relationship with the character, it belongs—even if it has nothing to do with “winning.”
Why Character Raises the Stakes
Back to our basketball team.
Let’s say:
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The star player works at his dad’s auto shop to pay for school
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His teammates come from wealthy families and never worry about rent
Or:
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The head coach isn’t just chasing a title
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He’s also a pastor
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And one of his children is dying of cancer
None of that changes the score.
But it completely changes the stakes.
Now losing the championship isn’t just losing a game.
It’s another emotional loss layered on top of real life pressure.
That’s when an audience starts to care.
How Much Footage Should You Actually Shoot?
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:
Stories don’t care how many hard drives you fill.
Every project requires a different amount of footage.
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Verité or observational documentaries require more shooting because anything can happen
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Interview-driven or scheduled productions require less shooting because moments are planned
There is no universal shooting ratio that works for every film.
What matters is intentionality.
The 2-Question Filter That Stops Overshooting
Before you roll, ask:
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Does this move my characters closer to—or further from—their goal?
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Does this help me understand why this person is the way they are?
If the answer to both is no—you probably don’t need it.
You keep filming until:
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The goal is achieved or fails
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And we understand why that goal mattered to the people chasing it
That’s it.
The Golden Rule (When You’re Truly Unsure)
There is one exception.
If you’re ever genuinely unsure whether you should shoot something:
Err on the side of shooting it.
Once you have the footage, you can always choose not to use it.
You can’t go back and capture what you missed.
But here’s the good news:
The more films you make, the more you develop a sixth sense for what matters—and what doesn’t.
Overshooting fades as your storytelling instincts sharpen.
What Comes Next
Knowing what to shoot is only half the battle.
The next step is learning:
I’ve got deeper videos on all of that, and I’ll link them below.
If this kind of clear, practical filmmaking guidance is useful to you, consider subscribing to our youtube channel.
Make docs.
Move hearts.
Peace.
Darren – Showrunner, Director, Coach
👉 Watch the episode and explore our filmmaking playlist for practical lessons on story, shooting, and editing.
