The Short documentary-
Unfolding the many-faceted sides of a subject: PERSON, PLACE OR THING or PROCESS
Or a process- to make a story.
This visual story ask you to show us something: a person, place, thing or process. Something, someplace, somebody or an event. All documentaries are made of short segments or scenes, each one leading to the next part of the story. Each segment gives us an image of something in time. These are like little portraits- each time we are introduced to someone new or to a new place-- each time we hear a new dramatic turn in the story, the storyteller needs to tell us where we are, who we are with, and what is going on now. The story can be minimal but should give us a feeling of who they are, what they do, and what makes them the way they are. It should also SHOW something, using the camera.
Example Portrait of person:The janitor in the Comm. building has been working at SIUC for 30 years, and now he is retiring. Did people know anything about this man who cleaned their hallways every evening?
Example story about a thing: - You go to a place where they build guitars, and document one being built- set to music played by the fellow who is building them.
Example story about a place:McAndrew Stadium will be torn down- and you will reveal the history that will be lost?
Farmer's Market one saturday
Example story about an IDEA:War, lies, night time, immigration. A story like this can be produced in a more abstract way.
Example story about an process or event: There is a "hackathon" happening in town. What is it? What do people do? You go there, film it, and interview people to learn. Maybe mostly interview the people who organized it.
(a big game!) (the last comedy show of the year)
Project requirements:
• An interview using an external microphone to ensure good sound (a lav is great)
• At least 10 minutes good interview footage.
• At least 10 minutes of B-Roll footage- figure 60 shots at 10 seconds per shot. Mostly stills.
• Background research into the subject (whether person place or thing)- into binder
• Edited to create a simple story- with a progressive revelation of information.
• Light use of music or sound effects to create a polished piece, with all sound levels balanced.
• A proposal/treatment
A) Consider some ideas for your portrait- write them down. Think of people who you have met or who you are curious about.
C) Reflect on their story structures and be ready to talk about them next week.
STORY STRUCTURE-
What is it about? (Person, place, thing, process, or a combination)
Does this follow traditional story telling structure?
What is the chronological order of the story?
What is the point of view?
What locations did they use?
How many angles (different shot/set ups in each location)?
Give examples of B-roll footage you see here.
How many different interview shots?
How many people did they interview?
What is the point of view?
What is the position of the maker? (critical, admiring, wonder? -- use your imagination)
Are there any filmic experiments in this?
D) Look back at your list of ideas- cross out the ones you do not feel right about, and add in some others.
E) Who will you interview? Think about how to interview your subject by looking at some examples
F) Imagine what you will show with your interview. What will be your B-Roll?
Are there other videos that have the same subject? What did they use for B-Roll?
RESEARCH ONLINE and by visiting the person's house, workplace or the location where the object or event you are covering takes place. Take photos or write down what you see there.
Where will you stage the interview? Put all this in your production binder.
G) Decide on your subject and make an appointment with Sarah or Ellen to discuss your project
To assess your subject use some guideline questions:
- Why is this interesting- what is the story?
- What is the point of view?
- What audience will like it the most? Can you make it appealing to other audiences?
- What kind of structure does the video have? Chronological, personal, experimental, circular.
- What kind of aesthetic approaches will you use?
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BEFORE SHOOTING- REVIEW your B-Roll ideas.
Remember you are going to try to get 60 unique shots.
- MORE considerations: How will you use sound?
- What is the perspective in this story?
- Is there one, multiple or are there conflicting perspectives?
PRODUCTION BINDER for MINI- DOCUMENTARY• Preproduction
- addresses, names, directions, phone numbers
- lighting diagrams- if needed,
- location photographs,
- what is the ambient sound at the location? Will you use it? What mic will you need to use?
- Will you need lighting?
- appointments, dates and time set
- Will you need Help? Who will help you- name, phone number
- interview questions
- background research on the person, place thing
- equipment list- don't forget sound and lighting
- Ideas about how to tell the story (beginning and ending)
- Check the spelling of your subject(s)
• Production
- list of shots, recording format,
- interview notes- what were the best questions/ answers
- possible sound, music, B-roll ideas
- What you really shot for B-roll.
- How much footage you shot
- How many shots?
• Post production
- what sound do you have?
- What sound do you need? Does this need music? What music?
- Write down all your titles on as many pages as you need. Check the spelling. GEt someone else to check the spelling too.
- Make up a name for your piece
- Make titles: opening title and closing titles- with subject named, you as producer, credits to music and images and anyone you need to thank for help or production advice.
