Documentary Video Production
01
We Walk the Walk: Living to Make Documentaries
Unlike many production companies, all of our documentary projects are directed by Chicago-based Big Teeth’s co-founders, Elise or Gregg Jaffe (and sometimes both) - experienced filmmakers who bring decades of storytelling and doc work for clients to the table. We personally direct these projects because we understand that great documentaries require more than just technical skills - they need people who will approach subjects with empathy and wonder. Whether it's kids finding their voice through music, employees loving their place of work, or life-changing research from a university lab, we're looking for those authentic moments that actually matter to people. We love docs so much that we create them even when we're not on the clock.
02
Smart Planning, Real Moments: How We Nail Documentary Shoots
We've spent years interviewing hundreds of people and shooting in every type of location imaginable, and we've learned that great documentaries happen when you combine serious preparation with the flexibility to capture those unexpected moments that happen when you let the cameras observe the real world. Our Chicago-based team marries strategy and technique to create documentary content that hits the right notes whether it's sales, donations or emotions you want from your audience.
Real stories that are worth telling.
Documentary video production needs technical expertise, but ultimately it's the heart that matters.
03
Good People, Comfortable Set: How To Get That Great Documentary Interview
Trust is wildly important when it comes to this kind of work. Sometimes people feel awkward in front of the camera, or the subject matter might be really sensitive and if it's not handled with care it won't come out right. Knowing when to push a little to get that great sound bite or to reign it in to avoid derailing the interview can be the difference between a video you want to share with the world vs. a waste of everyone's time.
Documentary Projects We're Especially Good At Making:
Brand Documentaries
Brand documentary production doesn't have to mean soulless corporate propaganda. The most effective brand documentaries we've created always look for the heart of the matter. It can be hard to get out of the echo chamber (looking at you C-suite) so we make sure to focus on the stories that actually need telling, and use plain language to get the points across.
We've given factories and cube-filled offices a pulse by introducing audiences to the real people behind products and services. Whether it's unifying voices from 18 different facilities into one cohesive story or eliciting tears from a hair company helping cure cancer, our brand documentary approach finds the authentic human filling inside the corporate suits.
The reason brand documentaries can be so great when they work is they let audiences see a genuine side of a company they don't normally think about. Take people behind the curtain, show them the humanity at the core of what you're selling - that's a capital-W Win.
Want to see more brand documentaries?
Nonprofit & Social Good
Nonprofit documentary video production from Big Teeth is all about making people think, feel and act.
We've showcased arts education programs that give kids confidence, healthcare initiatives that save lives, and social justice work that creates lasting change. What makes this work so powerful is empathy - when people at a fundraiser hear a kid say "music gives me a future" and actually mean it, the auction paddles are going to lift into the air for sure.
Sometimes it's to raise money, other times it's to raise awareness. Whatever the need, we focus on authentic voices - not adults speaking for kids, not board members droning on about data, but the actual people whose lives are different because of your work.
Mixed Media Non-Fiction
Reality is compelling, but sometimes you need more than talking heads and B-roll to tell a complex story effectively. Our experience in creating animation and motion graphics gives us the chance to explore creative visual storytelling that may blend traditional documentary techniques with motion graphics or animation to make complicated subjects accessible.
Sometimes it's talking heads mixed with animation, other times it might be a narrator helping explain the on-screen data visualization, or bringing history to life. It comes down to what's the best way to turn abstract concepts into compelling visual narratives that are easy to understand.
The goal is always serving the story. If animation helps people understand your message faster, that's what we'll use. If archival footage creates the right emotional impact, we'll dig it up. The medium should always serve the message.
UnScarred - Our First Feature Documentary
The saying goes that life imitates art, but sometimes art imitates work. Elise Jaffe found this to be the case after being hired by UK ad agency Southpaw to direct and produce a particularly inspirational project for ghd, a global hair styling brand. The project was a documentary that blended our "brand" and "social good" styles of filmmaking that featured cancer survivors covering scars by famed tattoo artist David Allen.
This experience led Elise to dig deeper on the concept of people who transform their relationship with their bodies through artistic tattoos - and UnScarred was born. While the subject matter includes trauma - paralysis, gender transition, cancer, abuse - it's about the moment when someone looks in the mirror and says "actually, I'm pretty amazing" and means it for the first time in years.
Currently in post-production, UnScarred is a way to use the many skills learned over the years, but for the purpose of shedding a light on a subject close to our own hearts vs. serving a client need. It also highlights our approach to sensitive subject matter in a way that honors real peoples' stories in a highly visual and cinematic way. To learn more about the film go to unscarredfilm.com.
In the meantime check out the teaser for the film:
Our Documentary Production Process
(No Fluff, Just the Good Stuff)
Research and Development
(The Foundation Everything Else Builds On)
We start every documentary project by discussing your goals, then dig into the subject matter using whatever info you provide, plus a little extra research to uncover additional angles. Our clients feel confident in our strategic direction because building the foundation from the get-go is what takes your videos to the next level.
Pre-Production Planning
(Strategy Meets Storytelling)
This is where we turn what we learned into a working production plan. We collaborate with you to identify key interview subjects, develop question frameworks that lead to the heart of the story, and determine the look and feel, ideal gear list, and crew size needed.
We approach documentary pre-production like narrative filmmaking - we want to be prepared for what we're hoping to capture while staying flexible for the unexpected moments that can surprise and delight.
Production
(Go Time!)
Now it's time for the good stuff - the shoot. We pride ourselves on running a comfortable set where everyone is safe and happy. If you've been on set with disgruntled crew or an interview subject who's downed a few tequila shots to loosen up (spoiler alert: it doesn't go well) you know human harmony matters. Building rapport with our subjects before cameras roll, leads to the most powerful documentary moments.
Post-Production
(Bring it Home!)
In documentary more than any other style of work, the edit is where the vision really comes to life. Finding those killer nuggets to turn hours of footage into minutes is key. There are so many choices to make and we love finding a creative solution to every one of them.
But how do we know it worked?
We've produced nonprofit documentaries that helped organizations exceed fundraising goals, corporate docs that became powerful recruiting tools, and social impact pieces that contributed to making the world a slightly better place. The metrics that matter depend on your goals, but the documentaries that work all share certain qualities: authentic subjects, clear storytelling, and production values that make people want to keep watching.
Don't just take our word for it...
Testimonials
The entire team were highly skilled, polite and had a great approach to a very sensitive shoot. Our agency is based in London, so we wanted to ensure we had full confidence in the production agency helping us in the U.S. Big Teeth and the team exceed all expectations.
Sam Jones,
Creative Producer at Southpaw Agency
Our planning processes are a combination of solid strategy and foresight and boundless creativity and fun. I've learned to rely heavily on their direction, advice and push back. The final product is always, without question, better than what we asked for.
Jessica Olive,
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement Communications at University of Illinois Chicago
Organizations We've Worked With
We've had the privilege of creating documentary content for a wide range of organizations across Chicago and beyond. From major universities and healthcare systems to mission-driven nonprofits and forward-thinking corporations, we work with clients who understand that authentic storytelling requires a healthy mix of creative vision and strategic thinking.
The fact that many of our clients are long-time partners speaks to our approach. When organizations come back project after project, it's because they know we'll deliver something better than what they originally asked for while being easy to work with throughout the process.
