PRODUCTION 2.2 (Solo doc task) - Brief

BRIEF: 

Research, plan, shoot and edit an interview and other planned footage for a documentary film. The film should be about a specific person (or a small group of people ) and should aim to be 3 minutes long.  

• Your primary source should be an interview for which you record the original film and sound. 
• You will need to plan and compile a range of other assets eg. B reel, reconstructions, actuality footage, archive film or photos, music, sound, and graphics) 
• Your finished product should be a complete story with a beginning, middle, and an end - so narrative will be important in the planning stage. 
• You must work alone as the creative decision-maker,  you can however utilize the help of others (eg. sound recordist, second camera, lighting)  as long as you are directing them. 

TOPIC IDEAS:

You will likely be limited by the COVID restriction and so the subject of your documentary might be best to be someone in your immediate bubble.  Here are some ideas of subjects you might expore:

• A hobby, sport, interest, or vocation (what is it? Why do they do it? What does it involve?)
• Some aspect of family history (who? when and what happened? how has it left its impact?)
• Exploring a local landmark or feature?  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The key aims of this project are to:

a) Demonstrate technical control over the shooting of your footage and sound

You must show that you have paid particular attention to framing and lighting your interview subject and that you have chosen the background to ensure it is appropriate for to topic and not too distracting.   You must record sound that is audible, preferably by choosing a location with good acoustics and by recording on an external microphone or separate recording device. 

b) Understand and construct a story through your planning, production, and edit

You should illustrate your understanding by planning a synopsis and planning your narrative structure using a script and shot list.  This should help you plan the questions you want to ask in your interview. 

c) Use the time and resources available to you effectively 

You will have 6 weeks to complete your task to the highest standard possible. We suggest you use your time as follows:

Week 1: 

• Write a proposal and pitch your idea to your supervising teacher. 
• Research documentary styles you want to use - post your ideas to your blog - you might use short of the week or feature or TV documentary films you have seen.  
• Audit the resources you have access to. Who are you interviewing?  When and where are they available?  What locations and settings can you use (covid restrictions and safety)?  What technical kit will you need?  Will you need other props?
• Write a script, shot list, and schedule (you may wish to make these in a free celtex account)
• Risk assessment for your shoot (including Covid)

Week 2: 

• Further research, initial 'pre-interview' with the subject? (you need to know what type of thing they will say for you to plan your film, so having a chat first would of course be good)
• Write up interview questions and shoot plan (noddies, cutaways, additional angles) 
• Sourcing archive or found footage
• Research lighting and do test interview shots and establishing shots 
• A technical run-through of the interview set up (place camera, check it works, framing, sound etc)
• Sourcing music and other sound assets
• Set up folders and file structures for the edit
• Create graphics templates like lower thirds or rolling titles

Week 3

• Conduct the main interview - see checklist
• Shoot B reel footage
• Shoot establishing shots
• Record additional sound

Week 4

• label and organise the footage and assets into folders 
• Import assets to premiere 
• Transcribe interview - You can use the app Transcribe or Otter
• create and edit plan in line with script
• Create a rough edit of the interview
• Place B reel and other assets for rough cut
• Get feedback and write up the final edit plan

Week 5 

• Pick up any additional shots or reshoots
• Recut story for the final edit
• Add final music mix and sound (use freesounds.org account)
• Lockdown all clips for the final edit
• Add graphics and titles
• Final color grade 
• EXPORT and upload to youtube and blog

Evaluation

Copy and paste the questions and write down your answers underneath.

This should be on its own page, a page called Evaluation.

How pleased were you with the final film?

 

What things would you change if you had more time or in different circumstances?

 

What were the main issues you faced?

 

What problems did you solve, how did you solve them?

 

Which part of the project was the most enjoyable for you (filming, editing etc)

 

How did you find keeping up to date with the work and deadlines?

 

What strategies could you put in place in future projects to help improve your "hard" skills (eg camera work, editing)?

 

or "soft" skills (eg working with your interviewee, thinking of questions, planning)?

 

Take a look at some narrative theories here:

https://brianair.wordpress.com/film-theory/narrative-theories/

There is quite a lot about conflict and resolution. It's a common aspect of films, a character has a problem to solve, and by the end of the story the problem has gone away or altered. This can be applied to Planet Earth, Fireman Sam, James Bond, almost any show. Consider how narrative theory relates to your documentary - does the character have any problems that they solve? What are the conflicts that come up?