Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. Sometimes the story lines are obvious, sometimes not. Do a lot of digging and follow leads. This is where you put on your reporter hat. Gather facts and search for leads on interesting characters and story lines.
a bird's eye view. a bird's eye view. 1. A view looking down at an object or area from a high elevation. As much as I'd love to go to the observation deck of the Empire State Building and see New York City from a bird's eye view, I'm afraid that my acrophobia will prevent me from enjoying the experience.
Film Glossary . Bird's eye view. A shot in which the camera photographs a scene from directly overhead. Close-up, Close shot. A detailed view of a person or object, usually without much context provided. Continuity. The kind of logic implied in the association of ideas between edited shots.