HomeCasa Mini documentary outline with interviews, B-roll and shooting plan
Plan a 5 to 15-minute mini documentary: central question, three-act structure, interview question bank, B-roll list, archive needs, releases and a fact-check list. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. It includes 6 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.
Advanced · Text · Pending editorial review
Prompt
Act as a director and writer of short non-fiction documentaries, experienced in interviews, small-crew shoots and documentary ethics.
Context:
- Topic or story: {{topic}}
- Main subjects and the access I have: {{subjects}}
- Shooting location: {{location}}
- Final length: {{length}}
- Tone: {{tone}}
- Available resources (crew, days, budget): {{resources}}
Deliverables:
1. A one-sentence logline and the central question the documentary tries to answer.
2. A three-act structure with numbered sequences: what happens, who speaks, what we see and how long each lasts, adding up to {{length}}.
3. An interview question bank per subject (8-12 open questions each), ordered from easy to personal, plus 3 useful follow-up questions.
4. A list of observational scenes and B-roll that show what the interviews tell.
5. Archive material needed (photos, footage, documents) and who to ask for permission to use it.
6. A fact-check list: every claim the documentary will make, with its source or [FILL IN: source].
7. Ethics and permissions: informed consent, appearance releases, location permits in {{location}} and care with vulnerable people.
8. A day-by-day shooting plan that fits {{resources}}, with a plan B if an interview falls through.
Constraints:
- Do not invent facts, quotes or details about real people. Anything unconfirmed is marked [FILL IN].
- If the story touches legal or sensitive matters, note that the cut should be reviewed by a legal advisor.
- If essential information (access, dates, goal) is missing, ask me before developing the structure.
Format: numbered sections, tables for the structure and shooting plan.How to use it
- Be honest about the access you really have to your subjects: it shapes the whole structure.
- Use the question bank as a guide, not a script; listen and follow up.
- Go through the fact-check list before picture lock.
Usage example
Topic: the last hand-made shoe repair shop in a neighborhood · Subjects: the 72-year-old cobbler and his apprentice · Location: Pittsburgh · Length: 10 min · Resources: 2 people, 3 days, USD 900.
Sample output
1. Logline and central question
Logline: Three South Side neighbors turn an abandoned lot into a garden that brings the block back together. Central question: Besides the soil, what gets restored when a neighborhood takes care of a shared space?
2. Three-act structure (10 min)
| # | Sequence | Who speaks | What we see | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The lot before | Founder 1 [FILL IN: name] | Archive photos, locked fence | 1:00 |
| 2 | The first meeting | All three | Hands clearing weeds, first tools | 1:30 |
| 3 | The setback | Founder 2 | Empty raised beds, permit paperwork | 2:30 |
| 4 | The harvest | Neighbors | Shared meal, kids watering | 3:00 |
| 5 | What remains | Founder 3 | Garden at dusk, locked-off shot | 2:00 |
3. Question bank · Founder 1
- What was an ordinary day on this block like before the garden?
- What do you remember about the first time you walked onto the lot?
- Who encouraged you to take the first step?
- Was there a moment you thought about giving up?
Follow-ups: "How did that feel?" · "Can you give me an example?" · "What happened right after?"
7. Ethics and permits
- Informed consent and a signed appearance release from every subject.
- City film permit for shooting on public property: [FILL IN: confirm with the City of Chicago film office]…
Key facts
- Category
- Video creation · Documentaries
- Output type
- Text
- Level
- Advanced
- Designed for
- ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini
- Verified in
- Pending editorial verification
- Variables
- Topic or story, Subjects and access, Shooting location, Final length, Tone and Available resources
- Language
- English
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
- Nov 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Why start with a central question?
It gives direction to both the shoot and the edit: every sequence should bring the viewer closer to an answer. Without it, a documentary becomes a string of interviews.
What permissions do I need at a minimum?
A signed release from everyone who appears, permission from the owner or city to film in certain places, and licenses for music and archive footage. Check the requirements where you film.
Does this work for a YouTube documentary?
Yes. Adjust the length and ask for the first sequence to work as a hook in the first 30 seconds.
What is this prompt for?
Plan a 5 to 15-minute mini documentary: central question, three-act structure, interview question bank, B-roll list, archive needs, releases and a fact-check list.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.
How do I customize the prompt?
Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Topic or story, Subjects and access, Shooting location, Final length, Tone and Available resources). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.
Do I need experience to use it?
It is advanced: it is meant for people with experience in the topic who can evaluate and adjust the result.
Is this prompt free?
Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.
Can I trust the AI output?
Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.