Step-by-step guide for filming living heritage

Filming and recording has never been more accessible and affordable than it is today: with the push of a button, smartphones can capture all sorts of footage in all different kinds of situations. 

However, when producing audiovisual documentation in the context of safeguarding living heritage, you must first decide why you want to film this heritage practice and craftership and what you will do with the footage.

In this step-by-step guide, we refer to the functions of the filmed material, so we recommend you first determine what the purpose of your project is.

If you are not sure what the purpose of your film is, go to the toolkit overview and filter by the function(s) of the footage:

In this ‘handbook’ you’ll find a clear and structured manual on filming (with) crafters and/or intangible cultural heritage communities, together with practical how-to’s and tips. 

The following 12 steps will help you in the process (click on each step to learn more):

1. Analysing the situation 
2. Consulting practitioners
3. Field visit
4. Script writing 
5. Production planning for filming
6. Making a shot list
7. Considering archival research
8. Organising equipment and filming set-up 
9. Final preparation before filming
10. Filming
11. Backup and media management
12. Editing and finishing film footage