Documentary Production Agency Los Angeles
Most companies have a story worth filming, and few know where to start. We interview, research and shape the film before we shoot it, then edit it into something people sit through.
Quick answer
Clouds Agency is a creative agency in Los Angeles. Documentary production in Los Angeles: brand and founder documentaries, impact films, customer story films, mini-docs and festival delivery.
What We Deliver
Films we make
Brand documentaries
The origin of a company or a founder, told as a film with a beginning and an end. Good for a website, an investor deck or a launch.
Impact films
Long-form films for nonprofits, foundations and mission-led companies about why the work matters.
Mini-docs for social
Episodes of three to eight minutes for YouTube and social channels, built to be watched through.
Customer story films
A real customer talks on camera about what changed for them. We keep the interview unscripted.
Culture and recruiting films
Employees describe what the work is like. Useful on a careers page and during onboarding.
Festival and distribution delivery
Screeners, DCP preparation and submission materials, built to the specs a festival or distributor lists.
How We Work
How a documentary gets made
- 01
Story development
Research and pre-interviews first. We write down the story arc and agree on it with you before shooting starts.
- 02
Pre-production
Shot plan, subject scheduling, locations and equipment. We aim to spend shoot days capturing, with the problems already sorted.
- 03
Filming
Interviews and observational footage with good light and clean sound. We take time to help people settle in and talk.
- 04
Edit
The edit decides whether a documentary holds together. We build the structure, choose the moments, and trim to a length that suits the audience.
- 05
Finishing and delivery
Color, sound mix, music and exports for each place the film will run, whether streaming, broadcast, festival or social.
How we film
What happens before and after the camera
Story work comes before the shoot
The arc is written down and agreed on while there is still time to change direction.
Same crew and gear as our commercial work
Documentary subjects get the same lighting and sound care as a paid spot.
Delivery planned with distribution
We ask where the film will be shown, then finish it in the formats that venue wants.
Questions people ask
How long does a documentary take?
Brand films usually take 4 to 8 weeks from kickoff to delivery. A longer or multi-episode project, or one with a lot of travel, takes more. We give a schedule once the story outline is agreed.
What do you need from us?
Access to the people and places in the story, a primary contact who can schedule interviews, and any archive footage or photos you want included. We also need to know where the film will be shown.
Do we get to review the film before it is final?
Yes. You see a rough cut and a fine cut, and the number of feedback rounds is set in the scope. We ask for one set of consolidated notes from your team.
Who owns the film and the footage?
Ownership and usage terms are written into the agreement. Releases from people on camera and licensing for music are handled before the film is delivered.
Can you help with festival submissions?
We can prepare the screener and submission materials to a festival's listed specs. Acceptance is up to the festival, so we do not promise outcomes.