A documentary is a non-fiction film that documents real people, places, and events through actual images and artifacts to bring viewers new experiences. There are six main types of documentaries including poetic, expository, observational, participatory, reflexive, and performative. To create a documentary, one must tell a story they care about, research the topic, make a plan, shoot footage, write a script, edit the film, check legal and copyright issues, and distribute the finished product.

1. A documentary is a broad term to describe a non-fiction movie
that in some way "documents" or captures reality.
Documentaries bring viewers into new worlds and experiences
through the presentation of factual information about real people,
places, and events, generally -- but not always -- portrayed through the
use of actual images and artifacts. But factuality alone does not define
documentary films; it's what the filmmaker does with those factual
elements.

2. Types of Documentaries
Documentaries can be split into six different forms:
1)- Poetic documentaries.
2)- Expository documentaries.
3)- Observational documentaries.
4)- Participatory documentaries.
5)- Reflexive documentaries.
6)- Performative documentaries.

4. How to create a Documentary
To create a documentary there is a list of actions you have to
follow:
1)- Tell a story you care about.
2)- Research.
3)- Make a plan.
4)- Create a shot list.
5)- Start shooting.
6)- Write a script.
7)- Begin editing.
8)- Check legal and copyright issues.
9)- Distribute.