Documentary
Documentary Film Production
At Preston Street Films, documentary filmmaking is at the core of what we do. We create cinematic, story-led documentary content for brands, broadcasters, and organisations that want to communicate something more meaningful than a standard promotional video.
This page includes selected case studies of our documentary work, demonstrating how we approach story, structure, and visual language across different subjects and sectors.
BBC Ideas and the University of Oxford: The Surprising Benefits of Exercising with Friends
This is our 10th documentary film for BBC Ideas – and one we’re particularly proud of. Shot on location at Fulham Reach Boat Club in London and in Cranbrook, Exeter it brings together science and sport in a stylish and engaging way.
The film explores research carried out by Dr Arran Davis at the University of Oxford that suggests that exercising with other people can have benefits over exercising alone. For more information visit the University website here.
Branded Documentary: Story First, Brand Second
Branded documentary is one of the most powerful forms of modern storytelling. It moves beyond traditional advertising to create films that audiences genuinely want to watch—because they are rooted in real people, real stakes, and real narratives.
We work with brands and organisations to develop documentary films that:
- Communicate complex ideas with clarity and emotional resonance
- Build trust through authenticity rather than overt messaging
- Position the brand naturally within a compelling human story
- Perform across web, social, and campaign environments without feeling like advertising
The result is content that audiences engage with on its own terms, rather than skip.
Case Study - Making Mary the Pigeon
This short documentary tells the story of how Quirk – a theatre company making socially conscious work for children – stepped into the world of publishing. To accompany their 2023 Christmas show they created a beautiful children’s book; Mary the Pigeon Who Never Gave Up.
The film explores the story behind the book from the writing and artwork to the final printing.
Why Documentary Requires a Higher Level of Craft
Documentary filmmaking is often misunderstood as simply “filming real life.” In reality, it demands a far higher level of editorial judgement, narrative construction, and technical skill than most standard marketing video production.
A strong documentary requires:
- The ability to identify a compelling narrative within real-world complexity
- Editorial restraint—knowing what not to include is as important as what is included
- Trust-building with contributors to capture honest, unscripted moments
- Advanced post-production storytelling to shape meaning from extensive material
- A cinematic approach that supports story without overwhelming it
Most marketing video production focuses on message delivery. Documentary filmmaking focuses on meaning. That distinction is what defines the work we do.
Case Study - RAMM
We have worked with Exeter’s legendary Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) on a number of projects since they first commissioned us in the summer of 2021. That first project was to create series of branded documentaries that would help entice visitors back after lockdown and also provide online content should the pandemic cause the museum to have to close its doors again.
Treasures of RAMM is a series of 16 short documentaries which tell personal stories about different people’s favourite objects from the museum collection. These films form part of RAMM’s Treasures of the Museum trail, giving visitors a deeper insight into the stories behind the objects and improving visitor engagement both onsite and at home.
Our Approach
Every documentary project begins with story development. We work closely with clients to identify the narrative core of the subject, then build a production approach that allows that story to emerge naturally.
Depending on the project, this can include:
- Research and narrative development
- Location-based documentary filming
- Interview-led storytelling
- Observational, fly-on-the-wall production
- Archive integration and narrative structuring in post-production
We tailor each film to its purpose—whether that is brand storytelling, editorial content, or long-form digital documentary.
Case Study - Places of Poetry
Back in 2019, we were commissioned by the University of Exeter to create a series of short films in support of The Places of Poetry project. The project revolves around a map of England and Wales, inviting people to ‘pin’ original poems to specific locations.
We produced one main film, designed to provide viewers with essential information about the project, showcase some of the poets and their work from across the country, and convey a poetic quality in its presentation. The film was hosted by poet and writer Paul Farley and featured the work of poets from Stroud, Portsmouth, and Liverpool.
Audio Documentary
As well as documentary film making we also make audio documentaries, applying the same editorial rigour and narrative craft to long-form sound storytelling.
We have produced audio documentaries for the BBC, working across development, recording, and post-production to create immersive audio-led narratives designed for digital audiences. This work sits alongside our film practice and informs how we think about pacing, structure, and character-driven storytelling across all formats.
Audio documentary demands a different kind of precision. Without visuals, every element of story must be carried through voice, sound design, and editorial rhythm. It requires careful listening, disciplined editing, and a strong sense of narrative clarity to ensure the story remains engaging and coherent from start to finish.
Whether in film or audio, our approach remains the same: find the story, shape it with intent, and let real voices carry it.
Case Study - Bell House
How is your data heard? Who hears it? How do they interpret it? And what do they do next? These are the central questions in this branded documentary about Bell House – a playful, interactive sound sculpture translating non-verbal climate data into the chimes of 35 bells.
Preston Street Films was commissioned by production studio Kaleider to produce a 10-minute branded documentary telling the story of Bellhouse. By bringing together all the people behind the project, at a time when climate data is more important than ever, the Bell House documentary challenges the ways in which scientists communicate critical pieces of information to the general public.
Documentary Film Production FAQ
What is branded documentary?
Branded documentary is a form of storytelling that uses real people, real situations, and real narratives to communicate a brand’s values or purpose. Unlike traditional advertising, it focuses on authenticity and story first, with the brand integrated naturally rather than pushed forward.
How is documentary different from a standard corporate video?
Corporate video is typically message-led and structured around predefined talking points. Documentary filmmaking is story-led. It requires uncovering narrative through research, observation, and editorial judgement rather than simply scripting and delivering information.
Do you only make documentaries for brands?
No. While a significant portion of our work is branded documentary, we also produce editorial documentary content, including films and audio documentaries for the BBC. This includes both audio storytelling and documentary films created for BBC online platforms.
What makes a good documentary film?
A strong documentary combines a compelling real-world narrative with disciplined editorial structure. It relies on trust, patience, and careful storytelling choices to turn real events and interviews into a coherent and engaging film.
Can documentary still support marketing goals?
Yes, but indirectly. Documentary builds trust, emotional engagement, and brand credibility over time. It is particularly effective for organisations looking to communicate complexity, values, or purpose in a way that feels genuine rather than promotional.
Do you handle the full production process?
Yes. We manage the entire process from story development and pre-production through to filming, editing, and delivery, ensuring editorial consistency throughout.
GET IN TOUCH
If you’re looking to move beyond conventional corporate video and explore what documentary storytelling can do for your brand or organisation, we’d love to talk.