In today's digital age, User-Generated Content (UGC) is more than just viral social media posts—it's making its mark in professional filmmaking, particularly in documentaries. With smartphones, dashcams, and drones at our disposal, everyday individuals are capturing raw, unfiltered moments that can complement traditional filmmaking. In this article, our partner agency, Newsflare, explores how UGC is reshaping the documentary industry, its impact, and how filmmakers can effectively harness its potential to tell compelling stories.

IMAGO / Newsflare | Base jumpers fly through a specially designed net in Utah.

What is UGC?

UGC refers to content created by ordinary people rather than by professional filmmakers or stock footage companies. It's a window into real, everyday moments captured as they happen. Platforms like Newsflare offer a treasure trove of UGC; its video collection is valuable for filmmakers, brands, and news organizations looking to incorporate genuine, unfiltered content into their projects.

IMAGO / Newsflare | Man halts charging elephant in Thailand.

How UGC Enhances Films and Documentaries

In the world of film and documentaries, UGC can serve as a precious asset. By their nature, documentaries are about telling real stories, often from diverse perspectives. UGC can provide a grassroots view that complements traditional, professionally shot footage. It can be incorporated in many ways:

• Archival Footage: UGC can serve as “found footage,” providing firsthand accounts of historical events. It adds a raw, emotional layer to stories by showing how ordinary people experienced those moments.

• Interviews and Testimonials: Social media clips or personal videos can be woven into documentaries to add depth and credibility. These real voices bring authentic viewpoints into the storytelling process.

• B-roll or Supplementary Visuals: UGC often captures viral footage of significant events, protests, or everyday life, serving as a valuable B-roll that adds texture and context to the documentary’s visual narrative.

A Newsflare video featuring a dramatic cement truck crash was used in the Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once. The dashcam footage shows a terrifying moment where a cement truck loses control and crashes into a minivan in Texas. This real-life incident, captured by Dr. Guan Zhu in 2014, contributed to the film's chaotic, multi-dimensional storytelling, adding a layer of realism to the intense scenes. The incorporation of UGC underscores the film's unique blend of surrealism and authenticity.

IMAGO / Newsflare | Dramatic truck crash that made it into the Oscar-winning film "Everything Everywhere All at Once". 

How Does UGC Contribute to the Authenticity or Realism of Documentary Storytelling?

One of the key reasons UGC has become popular in documentaries is its authenticity. Audiences today are savvy; they crave content that feels "real" and unpolished. UGC, being raw and often unfiltered, delivers this sense of realism. When incorporated into a documentary, UGC often bridges the gap between the story being told and the audience. It provides:

• A Personal Touch: UGC allows viewers to see the world through the eyes of those directly involved in the story, making it feel more intimate and personal.

• Unfiltered Reality: Unlike staged or edited content, UGC captures genuine emotions and reactions, offering a sense of urgency and immediacy to the narrative.

• Diverse Perspectives: In global or multifaceted stories, UGC enables filmmakers to include viewpoints from people directly impacted by events, offering a fuller and more nuanced portrayal.

IMAGO / Newsflare | Hundreds of birds fall from the sky onto a cruise ship stuck at the sea due to Hurricane Milton.

Common Types of User-Generated Content in Documentaries

Filmmakers are using various forms of UGC to enrich their documentaries. Here are some of the most commonly used types:

• Smartphone Videos: These are among the most common types of UGC in documentaries. Whether capturing a breaking news event, natural disaster, or everyday life, these videos offer a first-person perspective.

• Social Media Posts: Tweets, Instagram stories, and Facebook posts are often used to highlight public sentiment or individual reactions to specific events.

• Viral Videos: Whether it’s a humorous meme or a shocking incident, viral videos can encapsulate the spirit of a time or event.

• Drone Footage: Hobbyists and enthusiasts are increasingly capturing aerial views of landscapes, protests, or environmental damage—footage that might be difficult or expensive for professionals to obtain.

IMAGO / Newsflare | A Golden labrador's amazing sprint from home to the beach caught on GoPro.

UGC in Documentaries: Real-Life Examples

UGC has already significantly impacted documentaries, contributing to the storytelling in ways traditional footage often can't match. 

• A prime example of UGC adding authenticity is this Newsflare video featured in the BBC documentary Afghanistan: Getting Out, which covers the dramatic U.S. and UK withdrawal from Afghanistan. The video, captured by an eyewitness, shows the chaotic scenes during the evacuation, adding authenticity to the documentary's portrayal of the crisis. This raw footage helps illustrate the desperation and complexity of the situation, providing viewers with a firsthand look at the events that unfolded as the Taliban took control of Kabul.

• Newsflare has contributed video to various COVID-19 documentaries, helping to capture the pandemic's global impact through raw, on-the-ground footage. For example, Inside Italy’s COVID War features dramatic scenes from overwhelmed hospitals, offering an intimate look at how healthcare workers struggled during the virus’s peak. Similarly, the documentary "NHS: The Story of Us" - Used Newsflare's video to illustrate the experiences of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a raw and emotional portrayal of the challenges faced by the British National Health Service.

Tips for Filmmakers Using UGC

While UGC can elevate a documentary, there are important considerations to keep in mind:

1. Verify the authenticity: Before using UGC, ensure the content is authentic and comes from a reliable source. This helps maintain credibility and avoid spreading misinformation.

2. Legal considerations: Always get the proper permissions from the creator before including UGC in your film. Copyright issues can arise if you use someone’s footage without consent.

3. Blend with professional footage: Use UGC to complement professionally shot footage. The contrast between polished production and raw content can enhance the overall impact of your film.

4. Story-driven curation: Not all UGC will fit your documentary’s narrative. Choose the content that enhances the story you’re telling and ties into the emotional or thematic core of your project.

IMAGO / Newsflare | A traveler backpacking from Egypt to Japan without flying films his experience crossing a desert in Uzbekistan.

Conclusion

UGC is revolutionizing the world of documentaries by offering an unprecedented level of authenticity and immediacy. For filmmakers, understanding how to harness UGC effectively can elevate storytelling and bring viewers closer to the truth of the story being told. With the right mix of professional footage and UGC, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates on both emotional and intellectual levels.

IMAGO / Newsflare | Scary car wash brings Halloween thrills to Anaheim.