From An Idea To A Story
The creative process behind every documentary.
Every documentary starts with a simple question:
“What’s the story?”
Before filming begins, I spend time exploring ideas, researching subjects and understanding the people at the heart of the project.
The strongest stories often aren’t the obvious ones. They are found through conversations, curiosity and taking the time to listen.
Whether it’s a community, an individual journey or a unique way of life, the creative process begins long before the cameras start rolling.
Research & Development
Finding the stories that matter.
Great documentaries are built during research.
This stage is about discovering:
✓ Characters and contributors
✓ Personal stories
✓ Locations
✓ History and heritage
✓ Archive material
✓ Key moments to capture
✓ The journey of the film
Research allows a simple idea to grow into a powerful story with structure, emotion and purpose.
It’s about finding the moments audiences will connect with.
Building The Story
Real people are at the centre of everything.
I believe the most powerful documentaries come from people.
The farmers preparing for another season.
The makers keeping traditions alive.
The businesses built from passion.
The communities adapting and changing.
The everyday moments that often become extraordinary stories.
My approach is natural and observational, allowing contributors to feel comfortable and stories to unfold honestly.
Planning The Production
Turning ideas into reality.
Behind every documentary is careful planning.
From a single short film to a larger series, creating a documentary involves bringing together many moving parts.
This can include:
✓ Story development
✓ Episode planning
✓ Filming schedules
✓ Location research
✓ Contributor management
✓ Travel logistics
✓ Accommodation planning
✓ Permissions & access
✓ Equipment requirements
✓ Production teams
A successful documentary isn’t just captured, it’s carefully built.
Collaboration & Team Building
Bringing the right people together.
Documentary filmmaking is about collaboration.
Every project requires different skills, perspectives and experiences, from researchers and producers to camera operators, editors, local experts and contributors.
I believe in building teams around the story, bringing together people who share the same passion for creating something meaningful.
The right people behind the camera help bring out the best stories in front of it.
Filming The Story
Capturing real moments as they happen.
When filming begins, my goal is simple:
Capture reality.
The planned moments.
The unexpected moments.
The quiet moments between everything else.
Using cinematic cameras, aerial filming, professional audio and natural storytelling techniques, I capture documentaries in a way that feels immersive and personal.
Post Production
Where everything comes together.
The edit is where hundreds of moments become one story.
Every conversation, location and piece of footage is carefully shaped into a film with emotion, structure and purpose.
From selecting music and building the narrative to colour grading and final delivery, every decision is made around one question:
“Does this help tell the story?”
Stories in development
Scotland’s Edge - Real People. Real Stories.
Created by Just Connor Films, Scotland’s Edge is an independent documentary series exploring the communities, landscapes and people that shape Scotland.
Beginning in Campbeltown and Kintyre, the series follows the real stories behind the area, from industries and businesses to history, heritage and everyday life.
The project brings together research, contributors, local knowledge and cinematic storytelling to create a lasting record of Scotland’s communities.
Documentary Opportunities
Have a story worth telling?
Documentaries can start anywhere.
A person.
A community.
A journey.
A challenge.
A moment in history.
Whether you have an idea, a story to share or a project that needs bringing to life, I’d love to explore it.