Tips on shooting a documentary style roadmovie

Jacques le Clochard

Jacques le Clochard

Member
Hello there, today I finally bought my DVX100, and in due time: next week I'll be travelling to Rumania for a 5 day roadtrip. It's for a fashion brand called Kuyichi. They planned several locations across the country for us to visit, and I offered to make a short film about the trip.

I did a project like this about two years ago, but that was for a television show. Two teams were dropped in two different countries and we had to get back home without any money. It was a hoot, and the result was "Okay". But I really want to do it right this time.

Since then I got some camera experience with different types and brands, and have been shooting mostly short interviews.

So my question (or questions), what will I need? I got a Sennheiser me-64, 1 battery, a bag, a Panasonic GS180 with a wideangle, and that's it. Thinking tripod, lights, what else? Budget is 500 euro's (that's, um, 700 dollars?)

And does anybody have experience with making a movie of the sorts? Should I just document the shooting, and add some "Diary"-style narration in post, or pick a main character and try to find a plot? I have been doing a lot of thinking on this part, but I'm curious to hear what you think.

Thanks a lot for your time!

Rgds, Chris
 
I would suggest at least another battery. You don't want to run out of juice at the wrong time. Also, tripod and lights for $700...that's a tough fit.

As far as story goes, I would just shoot everything for the first couple of days and see if any story starts to emerge, then follow it. Otherwise shoot everything you can and find the story in the edit bay. :tongue:
 
Always have a tripod, surely you can borrow one off a friend? it doesn't have to be top end just something to give a stable shot. Also I'd always have at least one light handy & a reflector. Just something small to lift the foreground (for interviews) is pretty much essential for me in getting halfway to a pro look. If you can't get a light then select locations carefully for shooting; but its suprising what you can get away with, just grabbing any practical lights to hand and arranging them better can make a difference. I once shot for a couple of weeks using old camping gas lights (and it looked great)

By the way the advice above:
"shoot everything you can and find the story in the edit bay"
is terrible advice (no offence)
 
versioncity1 said:
By the way the advice above:
"shoot everything you can and find the story in the edit bay"
is terrible advice (no offence)
Click to expand...

I'm not offended, but I am curious. The entire trip is unscripted, and he is merely an observer. Aside from interviews, he is limited to recording what happens.
How would you go about it?
 
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