Art Of Documentary
Mod , Section 1 - Determining a Story
TIP: Keep it simple
Choosing a character
What makes a good story
Do you have a topic or story?
Look for obsession
Research
Who is your main character(s)
Do the have conflict? - What your character wants
Feasibility
Can you get historic or current footage
Desire foe evil or desire for good
Unresolved issues
Unique talent or unique trait
Controvesy
Without good research you cannot find a good story
Search news
Reach out to journalists and news reporters
Reuters photos of the week
Lewis' tips
Subscribe to news organisations
Save interesting features to a bookmark
Have at least 5 doc ideas (minimim) ready at a time
Take time and space
Take trips
Conduct exploratory research
Determining a theme
Your theme is the heartbeat of your theme
What do your viewer to feel or think?
A theme is usually one or two sentences
Finding your voice
Find inspiration
Create boundaries
Find what oithers have done well before
What rules will use to film your doc
Get shooting
Career Advice
No#1 Thing - Focus on your reel or portfolio!
Focus on your reputation
Set Goals
Documentary Styles
Don't be an aimless film maker. Be an assertive filmaker
Verite - Truthful cinema
Reenactment - Docudrama
Talking head
Expository
Performative / Parcipitory
Reflexive
Impressionistic
Experimental
Convincing a Character
Put your camera away!
Be honest & upfront
Be clear
Be human
Be inspired
2 - Funding your film
Private Investor
Broadcasters
Grants
Branded content or Sponsored content
Personally funded
Return on investment
Immediate
Mid term
Long term
Treatments
Keep them concise
Overview
Establish the main character
Visual style
Synopsis
3 - Pre-Production
Crew Up
FilmLocal
Mandy.com
Facebook Groups
Fixer
Executive producer
Producer
Line producer
Editor
Sound Person
Camera person / camera assistant
Researcher
Shot lists
Budget
Legal
Licensing - Music footage and music
Location scouting
Make sure you get every shot
Helps add variety
Help you get through your day
Scheduling
Trailers / Teasers
Hard drives
Contingency
Gear Rental
Insurance
Translators and fixers
Food
Subtitles and transcriptions
Talent release form
Track expenses
Use sun seeker
Get multiple looks from one location
Bring a camera some lenses to view the location
Use Google Earth
Don't settle
Important to have aschedule
Use your ears!
Always have a back up location
Due dates
Game plan!
A quick way to view all the best bits
Set up the tension
Set up what makes the character interesting
Put your best shots in the teaser
Don't giveaway the ending
Gear for production
Recommended cameras
Setting up your camera
Overlooked camera gear
Additional gear
Don't get caught up with cameras
These are guiding principles
Can you shoot all day with this camera?
Is there a recording limit?
Pro
XLR inputs
Timecode
Dynamic range *
Sensor size
Camera cage
Weight
File size
Slow motion
DSLR or 'Intro' Cameras
Does it shoot in log
Dynamic range
Stereo in or mono
Lens moount
Does it have higher bitrate over HDMI
Get a security system
Use an external monitor / ultra light arm
Windscreen
Small rig shot gun mic
Polar pro basecamp matte box
Monitor
Kneepads
Allen key or hex set
Blower
Polarizer
Roller bag
Bongo ties
Fashion tape
You don't need the best gear to make a great film
Two solid lenses
A good microphone with dead cat
24mm
70mm
A heavy tripod
A top handle
Camera monior
Lights
C stand
Memory card case
Slate
Raid
Shooting and production
Lighting interviews
How to conduct good interviews
Camera movement
B-Roll Tips
Documentary film lengths
Hoe to shoot a scene
Clean up
Set up your camera early
Bright light draws attention
Level your camera
Get a monitor with LUTs & false colour
Place your interviewee on the same side as the key light
Look into the key light
Use very subtle backlight
click to edit