Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

M

myifolio

Member
Hello,

For starters, this is my first post on here. I'm a newbie. But, I'm here to ask help from all of you, from novices, to pros, about a few things I'm dealing with in my filming. I started filming a documentary about Soldiers in Iraq, their lives, and what it's like to be a soldier in Iraq. It's more focused on their emotions, thoughts and things like that as opposed to the action sequences, and things like that of other movies about this war. Here are the things I'd like help with. Feel free to offer advice on anything else though.

1. What are some good aspects to involve in this movie? Maybe some questions, or ways to look at a soldier that ordinarily wouldn't get portrayed?

2. I've been shooting with a Samsung SCD-107, because that's all I've had until now, but am considering buying a DVX-100a, or a HDR-FX1...

I've been corresponding with a friend Phillippe, in California who works in film, and he says that I should be shooting everything I do here. That nothing is too boring, because later, it's all about the editing that goes on. That doesn't mean shoot crap, but I understand that. My problem is that being here in the military, I am not at liberty to be filming any time I like. I have a mission here, and so if I just whip out my camera and start filming my superiors are going to be like, "What the hell are you doing?". Would it be better to come back as a civilian in 3 or 4 months and begin filming again then? (I leave here within 4 months.) It's hard, but I really think that people want to know about this stuff.

Sorry it's so much stuff...any help will be appreciated.


~Landon
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Hi, Landon. First off, Bravo! That's quite a colossal undertaking for a fist time out, but it's refreshing to see someone go for it, because it matters to them.

With that said, a few thoughts. You mentioned,'It's more focused on their emotions, thoughts and things like that as opposed to the action sequences, and things like that of other movies about this war.'...Well, I've had the time to watch about 10 doc's on Iraq and post-9/11 and none of them were focused on 'action', so be sure you understand that 'focusing on emotions' is nothing new here, in fact if you did focus on the action, it might be a first, I could be wrong.

I think the fact you're still serving and surrounded by other soldiers on a personal level is KEY to this film's succes and origionality. If you wait, then you will be focusing from an outside perspective, just like every other doc on this subject. You have a HUGE opportunity here, don't waste it. Will you have to be clever in your disguise? Yes, but that's the sacrifice you're making as both a filmmaker and passionete individual who has something to say. Your friend is right, shoot now, shoot often, and capture everything you can, while you can.

This is a crisp take from the inside and you'll have a fascinating perspective, not to mention your subjects will be far more open to discussing these issues with a fellow soldier, over a pushy fat guy from Detroit in a baseball cap.

As for the DVX thing, well, sure, go buy one it's a great camera, but don't stop shooting while you wait, you have three months here, that's it, use every moment shooting.

One dissclaimer, and take this very, very seriously. I can see by your avatar what possible take you have on this war, BE CAREFUL!!! You're in the belly of the beast, and most will not share your sentiments, insure your intervies are objective and fair, and please, whatever you do, don't forget your interview waivers, and all that good stuff. Watch yoursellf, stay on your toes and remember this could cause you serious trouble if not handled the right way. Take care, good luck and keep us posted.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Have you talk to the PAO? Maybe they'll give you the nod so you won't have worry about superiors questioning what you're doing.

Dan
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

I agree with alveraz. Take the opportunity now while you're in the middle of it rather than going back as a civilian. Not that you shouldn't go back in four months, just that you should shoot whatever you can right now, or at least whatever your superiors will allow you to shoot. Best of luck.

Josh
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Sorry I had nothing to add regarding your questions, I just wanted to say thanks.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Thank you all for your responses so far! OK, I haven't talked with my PAO yet, for several reasons. The first is that I have been told as long as I'm not violating OPSEC or COMSEC regulations, such as filming bases perimeters, and things like that, or talking about specific routines, that I won't be in trouble. I did however, want to go to him with the video before editing, but after filming everything and let him view it in it's entirety before I send it home. I plan on sending each tape home to my friend at a studio, to begin the post-production phase as soon as I've filled up the tape. So, my other idea was to take a list of the questions I'll be asking, and also bring a list of questions that I didn't anticipate, and ask him if those are acceptable questions. That brings me to my second point. I don't want this to be a biased, censored video. I know for the safety of our troops here, that some things need to be looked at, but to what degree? I ordered the camera, so it should be in the mail in the next three business days (hopefully by tuesday). Until then, I'll keep filming with my SCD-107....
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Also, I do think that I have a great unique perspective being in my position. And totally agree that I should be filming all the time here. Thanks for the motivation! Altough I may be against the war, I am never the type of person to push my opinions on others, and want the focus of the video not to be biased, but a true accounting of soldiers and their lives here. I will be getting commentary from Iraqi's as well about this occupation. I already have my interview waivers, for photo and video and all that. But, it's only saying that I'm allowed to use photo, video and likenesses of them. Does that mean that I have rights to use their words?? I mean, would that be included in the video thing? I'll look on the internet for more forms I guess....or if you wanted to send me one on regular email, it's in my profile. Thanks! I need all the motivation and tips I can for this, because it is a huge undertaking like you said.......well, off to capture some video....see ya, and thanks.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

By the way Tyler, thank you for your wishes, and you're welcome. I don't really feel it's my place to accept gratitude from people back home, but I suppose I do my part here, so....thank you. :)
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

[quote author=myifolio link=board=writing;num=1103205293;start=0#7 date=12/18/04 at 05:22:13] I mean, would that be included in the video thing? I'll look on the internet for more forms I guess....or if you wanted to send me one on regular email, it's in my profile. [/quote]

Sent you two versions via email.  One from SAG (but it's plain text...I could re-do it in Word, if you want....better formatting), and the other is an HTML page that can be printed.

Dan
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Thanks for those GenJerDan. I also went and looked earlier through a few threads on here for the waivers......it will help a lot. After I get the waiver exactly how I want it, then I'm going to get it translated into Arabic so that the Iraqi's can sign it too. Is that necessary? Probably Better to b Safe than sorry I suppose. I can't wait for the camera to get here.

- thanks Josh,....I will be as safe as I can be :)

I also downloaded the manual for the camera to start studying it while it's in the mail. So I have about 2 weeks to learn it before using it.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

[quote author=myifolio link=board=writing;num=1103205293;start=0#11 date=12/20/04 at 04:14:26] After I get the waiver exactly how I want it, then I'm going to get it translated into Arabic so that the Iraqi's can sign it too. Is that necessary?[/quote]

It's certainly more polite to have them be able to read it in their own language. A lawyer certainly would think so. ;)

No telling what the actual rules are there, though. See if you can get a call in to the Iraqi television folks (or, if you can find a real filmmaker), see what they say about releases/waivers. Local laws might say no release is necessary, or the signer has to be 25 years of age, or some other difference between the US and Iraq.

Dan

(Yes, I live in Ramstein, next to the air base.)
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Maybe you could also get in touch with the folks who made "Control Room" and see if they have any advice. I believe that was shot mostly in Qatar, but I would think they looked into the legal details of shooting in Iraq. There’s a contact page for the movie at http://www.controlroommovie.com/. I don’t know if any of those contacts will be helpful, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Also, Jehane Noujaim, the director and her fellow filmmakers have a web site at http://www.noujaimfilms.com/. That site has a contact email address listed as info@noujaimfilms.com. Hopefully someone would be willing to get back in touch with you with some advice. Or you could look into contacting the people who made one of the other docs about Iraq.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

I went to war for more than two years, took a lot of photos, sometimes taking extra risks like getting up and shooting my camera while bullets were flying by.(another country etc...)
my advice is to interview people you strongly disagree with.prisoners, people against or for the war, psychopaths , born again , sceptical , cynical, whatever you dislike.And if you can relate this or this interview to something that happened just before or after , even better.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

Thank you Barion. The risks are what make for good substance. I agree that I need to interview people that I strongly disagree with. I am interviewing people who are very brainwashed in the military mentality. They are pro war, and into everything the military tells them. I won't demean them when I interview them because that wouldn't make for a productive interview. But I'm also doing some featurette interview on certain people who have amazing stories to tell. Including Iraqi interpreters, soldiers in major conflicts here, among others. I cannot interview prisoners unfortunately as that would make for great video, but it against military regulations, especially after the Abu Ghraib incident. So, thank you again for your comments. If anyone is still reading this post over the next few days or weeks, I'd like some perspective on questions I might ask during these interview of soldiers. I have some questions, but they seem very bland, and don't lead the interviewee to move on to other subjects as well. I need questions that are going to make them start talking about many things and then leading to another thing. It's actually quite difficult. The journalism aspect of this! Thanks for your help everyone!
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

So, last night my camera arrived! After all that waiting I have the DVX100a in hand! I charged the batteries, and tried switching the anamrphic adapter with the regular lens box, and figured that all out. I've been practicing with the camera outdoors filming traffic. Going from left to right in 24p mode to see how it reacts. It's hard to tell on the LCD how it's coming out though. I think the hardest thing is knowing how to adjust the f stop, and iris settings, gain, etc... I have the book by Barry W. Green with me, so that helps. I just have to keep messing around with it. I should get some opportunities to get some good footage over the next week, and then begin doing interview soon!

As always, if anyone has any comments, or suggestions please send them. I have contacted the director/producer of Desert Sky....a new documentary that's out now. He is in the Army, but has a degree in filmography or something like that. So, he is going to be a valuable rescource. I will be interviewing lots of people that I don't agree with.... I think with the Iraqi elections coming up, there will be many opportunities for discussion, and action.
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

don't forget to interview your self. it might be quite interesting for you in a few years.how right or how wrong can one be?
 
Re: Documentary: Iraq & Soldiers

GUNNERS PALACE just came out, or is about to, on Palm Pictures
the guy shot it on a XL1 and then Palm blew up to 35mm for the
big screen. Just saw a preview tuesday night, very non-bias, very good.

yeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhh!
 
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