Documentary: What I've Learnt So Far

Now that all my lectures for this unit are over, I wanted to write about everything I had learnt so far to help me remember it all.

WHAT I'VE LEARNT SO FAR

Research And Setting Up For Your Film:

• Test the viability of your stories.
• Gather enough information to develop a rough script, schedule & budget.
• Find a story, make it reality.
• Speak to people and establish key contacts.
• Try and find existing research and experts.
• Be prepared for: Who? What? When? Why? & How?

Pitching And Treatments:

• Helps an audience visualise and idea.
• Should include- outline, USP, story/series title and "What's New?"
• Form a 'central hypothesis', along with opinions and conclusions.
• Write up a proposal.
• Think about- Title; location; subject; style; characters; tension; threats; development; and resolution.
• After commission, think about- Following up contacts; meeting people; visiting locations; and developing the narrative.
• Finally, think about- Sequencing and actuality; interviews; archive/stills; sound; and music.

Representation:

• Think about how you treat people.
• Are they disable, vulnerable or under 16? What needs to be put in place?
• Think about how you present and represent people.
• When meeting people ensure you- get contact details and ask key questions (name, age, availability, locations...)

Locations And The Public:

• Think about casting.
• Look at locations.
• Think about scheduling, organisation and paperwork.
• When choosing locations think about- Aesthetics; sound and light; permissions; costs; relevance; and storytelling possibilities.

Preparation:

• Think about availability of- Contributors, crew, kit and locations.
• Keep all notes.
• Think about: Casting; locations; storyboarding; shot lists; direction; shooting scripts; and call sheets/risk assessments.

Commission:

• Treatment- Character's; style/format; locations; narrative; and presenter or narrator?
• Think about- Transmission time; channel; and target audience.
• Think about- Sequences; actuality; sync; music; graphics; interviews; cutaways/GVs; commentary; archive/stills; and dramatisations.

Scripts:

• Prepared before filming.
• Template for the finished film.
• Start with the commentary, then add in the interview summaries.
• Abbreviations for shot sizes.

Narrative:

• Find a narrative.
• Follow a central thread.
• The narrative is influenced by the characters.
• Light and shade.
• Tension.
• Is the filmmaker the protagonist?
• Is it actuality driven or sequence driven?
• Is it subject driven or character driven?

Interviews:

• Think about the interview style (not VOX pops).
• Think about who you need to/should interview.
• Ask questions that explore the subject.
• Ask questions that create tension.
• Good interviewee's- Have character; are relevant; speak well; are experts in their area; and are important.

Sequencing and Actuality:

• Sequences- Series of individual shots, constructed and controlled, that piece together to form one section of continuity editing.
• Close ups are key for good sequencing.
• Get to know the characters.
• Keep track of continuity.
• Film cutaways to hide cuts.
• Actuality- capturing events without controlling much, or anything at all.
• Think about creating edit points.
• Shot lists help.

*Image: http://newhouse.syr.edu/sites/default/files/styles/page-image/public/dfh-header_1.jpg?itok=c_ohIcUt