What Filmmakers and Screenwriters Wish They Had Known About Historical Research Before Starting a New Project
How to immerse yourself in a new era, quickly, so that you feel competent to write about it. Get a historian's checklist.
So you’ve decided you want to write a biopic script or a historical novel… Or you’re an actor or filmmaker who wants to tell a story set in the past. But how do you get started? If only there was a handy checklist… I hear you. I grew up in Germany, so we love a structured approach. 🇩🇪 🇪🇺 20 years of research for creative people has allowed me distil the necessary phases. Let’s turn these into to-do’s for your next book or film. Hope you find it helpful!
Here's a list you can print out for your next historical storytelling project...
Phase 1: Concept Development
When You Have the Idea
☐ Clarify Your Story’s Concept — Ensure you have a well-defined idea or theme based on historical figures, events or periods.
☐ Do Preliminary Research — Familiarise yourself with the time period and key events through basic sources like books and documentaries. Set time limits, so that you don’t get lost. It’s just to get an overview.
☐ List Your Sources — Have a list of at least a few relevant sources (more here) to build your foundation.
☐ Get Early Feedback — Get in touch even if you think it’s too early to make sure your idea doesn’t veer off into historical inaccuracies.
Phase 2: Researching and Deepening
Start Conducting Research
☐ Skim Archives and Primary Sources — Begin finding letters, articles and primary materials relevant to your narrative. Listen to the original, unfiltered voices of the people who lived in the past.
☐ Evaluate Your Research Depth — Assess where your research is lacking or where it’s become overwhelming. A strategy might come in handy.
☐ Use Niche, Specific Sources — Identify areas where more focused material is needed to enhance your story. Make a list.
☐ Ask an Expert to Dive Deeper — Ask a historian to help you interpret difficult sources or find unpublished material. The aim is not to tell a story for the umpteenth time, but to find new, fresh sources to help you tell unknown parts of this person’s life.
Phase 3: Outlining and Writing
When You Start Writing
☐ Create a Detailed Outline — Map out your story, ensuring the structure makes sense historically.
☐ Fact-Check Key Events — Verify that your timeline and significant events align with historical facts.
☐ Identify Historical Gaps — Note where you’re unsure of the accuracy and where expert help might be needed.
☐ Refine Characters with Expert Help — Collaborate with others to ensure your characters reflect their time, not just modern interpretations.
So, What Are Your Next Steps?
Don’t just save this article. Print it out.
Hang it where you can see it.
Tick off what you’ve completed.
Work through the materials you’ve found.
Don’t forget why you’re doing it: You want to ensure accuracy and authenticity while telling a compelling story.
~ All best from your chief historian,
Barbara