Tips for a small documentary

[rawfa]

Hi guys,

I´ve just discovered that the company I work for as a project manager has a big communications department (photography, video, PR, etc) and I really want to tap that. So for some time now I´ve been creating a portfolio to display my work as photographer, copy writer, designer and now a filmmaker. Since I´m talking about one of the biggest mining companies in the world I cannot exactly show them all the music videos I´ve shot over the years, so I was thinking about a short documentary where I can highlight the companys' values and my abilities as a filmmmaker. I´ve just found out that they invested about 2 millions on the biggest Botanical Garden in Brazil (it´s really a very beautiful place) to help preserve it. I was thinking that this could maybe be a good starting point for a short documentary, but I have yet to find a good hook or main theme for the documentary.

Bullet points:
- Company's values - we care about the environment, about the community and about our employees.
- Visually stunning (this is more on my end...but the Botanical Gardens should provide a great set to help me out with this).
- I work as a project manager, so I will have to shoot this on my free time by my self with my equipment (DSLR, mic, tripod, etc).

I´m thinking mixing footage of the exuberant wilderness of the park with interviews, but again I'm not sure how what the main point should be. Do you guys have any thoughts on how to approach it?

This is a serious project so I would appreciate if we could keep the thread serious and objective. Other then this all creative input will be greatly appreciated.


Rafa

 

[unadog]

This is a very simple 6 step walkthrough from a blog at Peach Pit Press:

http://www.peachpit.com/authors/bio.aspx?a=9fd68625-8109-4abe-9f5e-1dc087264408

http://www.peachpit.com/blogs/blog....de-to-Making-Movies--Step-1-Explore-the-Topic

A Serious Amateur's Guide to Making Movies - Step 1: Explore the Topic


You probably alraedy know all of this. But I am a big believer in having something like a "process flow" map on how to get through anything. Step 1, Step 2, etc.

Then when you hit a creative bump, you just go back to the process, look at the step, then do the work around that step. Helps to refocus.

You might also look at how to cut a demo reel using teh best of your existing projects. Depending on teh person you are meeting with, etc, they will look for certain concepts and steps of learning in any capacity, not literally "This is the headshot with the CFO".

You might also decide to focus a bit if you are looking for a specific job. Unless that is how the department is structured, photographer to copywriter is a pretty big spread.

Good luck!
Michael

 

[rawfa]

Thanks, that article did help me looking at things a bit more objectively.