Long form stories about people, places and the things they build
Documentary production in Indianapolis
Documentary is the one format where time is the main ingredient. Shot across weeks or months rather than an afternoon, because that is what lets the story actually happen.
Trusted by 1000+ Companies across Indianapolis
Trusted by [X]+ brands across Indiana and beyond
What makes a documentary work?
Documentaries fail when they are planned like commercials. You cannot storyboard something whose ending has not happened yet. What you can do is decide who it is about, start filming early enough to catch the change, and stay long enough that people stop performing.
The footage that makes the final cut is almost never the footage that was scheduled. That is not a planning failure, it is the format working.
PERFECT FOR:
Brands, causes and legacy projects
This is perfect for you if you're...
Having a story inside the business that deserves more than three minutes
Documenting a build, a season or a period of change as it happens
Running a cause that needs people to care rather than just understand
Marking an anniversary or a founder stepping back
Wanting something that outlives a campaign cycle
What every project includes
Concept & scripting
Developed with you before anything is filmed
Location access
We handle access, permissions and logistics
Crew & Equipment
Our own team and gear on every shoot
Direction on the day
Someone running the shoot, not just operating a camera
Editing and color
Finished by the people who were on set
Sound & Music
Licensed tracks, mixed properly [CONFIRM]
Multiple formats
Horizontal, vertical, square and captioned
Revisions
[MISSING]
Documentaries we've made
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
How a documentary project runs
Discovery & scoping
A conversation about what the video has to achieve, who it's for, and where it runs. We'll tell you if the format you asked for is the right one.
Pre-Production
Concept, script, shot list, locations, scheduling and casting where needed. Nothing gets filmed until you've approved the plan.
Production
Our crew on location with our own equipment.
Edit & Delivery
First cut for your notes, then colour, sound and final delivery in every format you need.
AI SUMMARY
Creative Native Films produces documentaries in Indianapolis, Indiana, for brands, causes and legacy projects. Founded by Josh Smith and Adam Salinas, the team has produced documentary work including the HPI Sturgis Shootout film and the Ascension Pace story, filming across multiple visits rather than single sessions.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Why us for documentary
We have made documentary work across Indiana including the HPI Sturgis Shootout film and the Ascension Pace story. What those had in common was access earned slowly. People say the honest version once they have forgotten the camera is there, and that usually takes until the second or third visit.
[NEEDS: Josh and Adam's own take.] More in our portfolio.
What makes a documentary work?
Creative Native Films produces documentaries in Indianapolis, Indiana, for brands, causes and legacy projects. Founded by Josh Smith and Adam Salinas, the team has produced documentary work including the HPI Sturgis Shootout film and the Ascension Pace story, filming across multiple visits rather than single sessions.
Related services
Frequently Asked Questions
Downtown Indianapolis, at 525 S Meridian Street.
Where are you based?
Yes. We work throughout central Indiana — including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Zionsville — and travel nationally for brand and campaign work.
Do you work outside of Indianapolis?
Do you charge for travel?
Do you charge for travel?
Start a documentary project
Tell us whose story it is and why now. We will come back within a business day with a view on what it would take.
