The Uncertainty: A book about Developing Character driven Documentary

Mikael Opstrup

Feb 2026 · Mikael Opstrup

About this ebook

Developing character driven documentary means working with reality as it unfolds — without knowing what will happen and where the story will end.

In The Uncertainty, Mikael Opstrup examines the creative and structural challenges of documentary filmmaking, focusing on themes as subtext, scenes, characters, directing, and the delicate balance between control and openness.

Combining concrete filmmaking practice with reflective essays, the book is written for documentary directors, producers, editors, DoPs and students working with observational and character driven storytelling.

This book does not provide the right answers — it is an attempt to ask the right questions.

About the author

Mikael Opstrup is an independent specialist in international project development, trailer consultancy and co-production.

He has worked for 50+ documentary organizations worldwide a.o. IDFA, Hot Docs, Nordisk Panorama, Institute of Documentary Film, Baltic Sea Docs, Docs Barcelona, In Docs, Dox Box.

Head of Studies EDN, European Documentary Network (2011-19). Producer Final Cut Productions, Denmark (2002-09).