Marquetry workshop · Chartres
Lydwine · marquetry
- Brief
- Show a craft that customers had never seen up close.
- Delivered
- An interview portrait of the craftswoman and vertical videos from the same shooting day.
16:99:161 shooting day
Case study Documentary director · cinematographer
Stepan Bogatyrev
Based in Chartres, France. Filming in Paris and across Europe.
Documentary since 2011Award-winning festival films
Work
Recent work
City story · coffee shop
“Heatwave in Chartres”
- Brief
- Tell the story of the city in a heatwave and weave a local coffee shop into it without it looking like an ad.
- Result
- 28,410 views on Facebook and Instagram; on Facebook, 99.3% of viewers weren't followers.
16:928,410 views
Case study Coming soon
Next film in progress
About
Trust can't be generated.
Today, any image can be generated. But a documentary shot can't be. That's exactly what earns an audience's trust — and makes documentary one of a kind.
I've been making documentaries since 2011. I studied in Alexander Kiselev's workshop and spent six years as a cinematographer at the St. Petersburg Documentary Film Studio. Then I spent ten years working with businesses: sales, advertising, websites, company videos. That's why I think about the audience before I even start filming. Since 2024 I've lived in France, in Chartres.
My pathPärnu · 2018Best Scientific Documentary“Be a Nation”
Young Arctic · 2018Grand Prix“Be a Nation”
Salt of the Earth · 2013Winner, “Here and Now” category“Time Pilot”
The awards went to films I shot as a cinematographer.
How I work
Document and story
I film what actually happens and build a story from it. A shot doesn't have to be perfect — it has to work.
Audience first
Before filming, I research your field and the demand: who will watch, what matters to them and where they'll see the video.
Honest and long-term
If a video won't do you any good right now, I'll tell you straight away. A long partnership matters more to me than a quick job.
Formats and pricing
Videos every month — or a single film
Three subscription formats and one-off films. You work directly with me — no account managers, no middlemen. Three months minimum (six for Récit), and you can start with a pilot.
Launch rate
Prices apply to contracts signed before 31/03/2027 and stay locked for the whole term.
Coulisses · Behind the scenes
2–4 documentary videos a month
For craftspeople, shops, restaurants and estate agencies.
from€590/ month
- One visit a month, 2–4 hours
- 30–60 s videos in 9:16 and 4:5, subtitled
- Topics chosen after researching your field
- 5-year usage rights
Portrait
RecommendedAn interview film and 4 short videos a month
For leaders, companies and experts who need to be recognised.
€1,650/ month
- One shooting day: light, sound, interview
- A 2–3 minute film + 4 short videos
- Questions prepared and agreed in advance
- Pilot — 2 videos for €390, no commitment
Récit
6-month minimumA documentary chronicle of your company
For manufacturers, laboratories, large companies and organisations.
€3,400/ month
- Two shooting days a month
- 2 films of 3–4 minutes and 8 short videos
- An editorial meeting every quarter
- A recap film at the end of each quarter
Pilot
Try it first: your first month of Coulisses — two videos for €390 instead of €590, no commitment. For the first five clients.
One-off projects
- Film portrait — a 2–3 minute film about a person or a craftfrom €1,500
- Film documentaire — a 4–8 minute film, two shooting daysfrom €3,500
Add-ons for any plan
- Horizontal 16:9 version of a video€50
- 60–90 s mini-film from the month's footage€190
- Extra vertical video from footage already shot€150
- English subtitles€40 / video
- Posting on your social mediafrom €90 / month
Prices exclude VAT (VAT not applicable, art. 293 B of the French Tax Code).
Compare plans and termsHow it works
Four steps from enquiry to finished video
- 01
Enquiry and call
You leave your contact details. I reply within 24 hours and we have a 15–30 minute call.
Reply within 24 h
- 02
Research
I study your field, demand and audience. I send you the topics, a first script and the questions in writing — in French. You approve them.
Before filming
- 03
Filming
When I can, I scout the place and the light in advance. On the day, we simply talk first — and only then do I turn on the camera.
One visit or one day
- 04
Editing and delivery
Editing, colour, sound and French subtitles. Revisions included.
7–10 working days
Testimonials
What people I've worked with say
Stepan has proven to be an exceptionally talented professional with a deep understanding of visual language and an ability to capture the most subtle nuances of the narrative.
Stepan is not just a videographer; he is a storyteller who is passionate about his work.
[Lydwine's words, 2–3 sentences]
Frequently asked questions
The essentials
What if I don't like the video?
You approve the topics and the plan before filming, so there are no surprises. Short videos include one round of revisions, films two.
Who owns the videos?
You use them on your website, on social media and in promoted posts for 5 years, worldwide. TV and outdoor advertising can be added on top, under a separate agreement.
Do I have to subscribe for several months?
A one-off film needs no subscription. A subscription of three months or more (six for Récit) gives you a noticeably better rate, and you can start with a no-commitment pilot.
Do you travel outside Chartres?
Yes. I work in Chartres and Paris, and for a good project I'll come to any city in France or Europe. Travel within 50 km of Chartres is free; further away, travel costs are built into the quote.
Do you post the videos for us?
It's possible, as an add-on. My main job, as a documentary filmmaker with a marketing background, is to shape the script and format so the video finds its audience. You can add it to any plan — from €90 a month: I write the post and publish the video on your social media.
What don't you film?
Weddings, family celebrations and corporate parties. I also don't work with companies that harm the environment. Anything else — let's talk.
Do you speak French?
My French is still modest: I speak little and listen a lot — not a bad habit for a documentary filmmaker. I prepare the research, topics and questions in writing, in French, and we agree on them in advance. On set I understand what people tell me, and I edit from a transcript. Calls can be in French, English or Russian.
Contact
Tell me about your work
Leave your name and how to reach you. I'll reply within 24 hours, ask a few questions about your work and suggest a format — or tell you honestly if a video isn't the right move just now.
- Directly
- stepan@bogatyrev.pro
+33 7 66 96 96 13 · WhatsApp - Pilot
- Two videos for €390 — see how it works, no commitment.
- Languages
- French (learning), English, Russian
Request received
Thank you!
I'll reply within 24 hours from stepan@bogatyrev.pro to set up a call.