Documentary Pre-Production
- Thread starter alex1
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Patryk_Rebisz
Veteran
Long for or short?
Shorts i haven't studied what makes those work.
For long you gotta research. What interests YOU in this story? Have you seen films about similar issues (not necessary animals, it can be about compassion or whatever)? If you have seen other films that deal with similar issues how this those film manage dealing with the subject? Did they keep it niche oriented or found a way to related the issue to a larger story that every human can relate to? Most docs are really well researched and the camera usually starts rolling when most of the pieces are in place so you don't waste your time by asking "tell me everything!"
Shorts i haven't studied what makes those work.
For long you gotta research. What interests YOU in this story? Have you seen films about similar issues (not necessary animals, it can be about compassion or whatever)? If you have seen other films that deal with similar issues how this those film manage dealing with the subject? Did they keep it niche oriented or found a way to related the issue to a larger story that every human can relate to? Most docs are really well researched and the camera usually starts rolling when most of the pieces are in place so you don't waste your time by asking "tell me everything!"
This is a really basic series of blog posts. But I am a big believer in having a mapped out "process flow." It really seems to help me when I get stuck, staring at a wall, etc.
There are 6 parts I think. Use google to find.
http://www.peachpit.com/blogs/blog....de-to-Making-Movies--Step-1-Explore-the-Topic
I also have a friend who teaches the best college photography class I have ever seen. It is called "Project Photography." Basically it is a semester long course devoted to making images directly aligned with a stated project intent. Not how mpost students work - but like the real world.
I re-typed his process flow to embellish it a little for my own use. I'll have to try to find it. I'll try to make it up here:
1. Create a project statement.
2. Research subject, other artists, influences, etc.
3. Create a budget - time, cost, materials, shooting budget.
4. Test. Create test images. Test materials, tools. Revise budgets.
5. Revise project statement, budget. Final project statement
6. Create 20 working images aligned with project statement (for still images.)
7. Deliver 40 working images aligned with project.
8. Final edit, 20 completed images for project.
I know that is pretty "shallow." I sat in on hos class for a while in 2006 I think, have to find old files.
One great example of a still photographer that we saw give a presentation in Chivago was Mary Ellen Mark. She taled partly about shooting her book "Prostitutes of Bombay." That was her first major project.
Basically, she went to the area and sat in the cafes without a camera for 1+ month to start to be known. They taunted her, threw things at her, tried to drive her away, treated her like ****. All on her own dime. She said she went back to her hotel every night and cried.
Eventually, she developed a couple of friendships. She began to work with 1 woman, who helped her gain entry to a brothel. I think she lived there and worked on teh project for 3 months? Incredible resolve, determination, and incredible images.
She also talked about her documentary work with the "Damm Family." About the rel;ationsips, trust, and how social workers she talked to indicated the father was probaly raping/having incest with the daughter, based on her pictiures. How she gained there trust and continued to work with them when the father went to jail, came back, etc.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mar...UPLIIqOrygGZ5AE&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=690
She is pretty incredible!
Good luck. Share more info?
Best,
Michael
There are 6 parts I think. Use google to find.
http://www.peachpit.com/blogs/blog....de-to-Making-Movies--Step-1-Explore-the-Topic
I also have a friend who teaches the best college photography class I have ever seen. It is called "Project Photography." Basically it is a semester long course devoted to making images directly aligned with a stated project intent. Not how mpost students work - but like the real world.
I re-typed his process flow to embellish it a little for my own use. I'll have to try to find it. I'll try to make it up here:
1. Create a project statement.
2. Research subject, other artists, influences, etc.
3. Create a budget - time, cost, materials, shooting budget.
4. Test. Create test images. Test materials, tools. Revise budgets.
5. Revise project statement, budget. Final project statement
6. Create 20 working images aligned with project statement (for still images.)
7. Deliver 40 working images aligned with project.
8. Final edit, 20 completed images for project.
I know that is pretty "shallow." I sat in on hos class for a while in 2006 I think, have to find old files.
One great example of a still photographer that we saw give a presentation in Chivago was Mary Ellen Mark. She taled partly about shooting her book "Prostitutes of Bombay." That was her first major project.
Basically, she went to the area and sat in the cafes without a camera for 1+ month to start to be known. They taunted her, threw things at her, tried to drive her away, treated her like ****. All on her own dime. She said she went back to her hotel every night and cried.
Eventually, she developed a couple of friendships. She began to work with 1 woman, who helped her gain entry to a brothel. I think she lived there and worked on teh project for 3 months? Incredible resolve, determination, and incredible images.
She also talked about her documentary work with the "Damm Family." About the rel;ationsips, trust, and how social workers she talked to indicated the father was probaly raping/having incest with the daughter, based on her pictiures. How she gained there trust and continued to work with them when the father went to jail, came back, etc.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mar...UPLIIqOrygGZ5AE&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=690
She is pretty incredible!
Good luck. Share more info?
Best,
Michael
