Documentaries

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

Hey everyone. I've decided to make a documentary. (Woopty sh*t, right?) But I have a question: How do I go about doing it.
I know I need to choose a topic and research it (already have, which is why I decided to make this in the first place...), but what do I do from there. I'm pretty lost when it comes to this part. Do I just start interviewing people or do I make an outline or what? I really appreciate your help.

Thanks a bunch!!!!

Paige

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

Thanks a bunch shirt and generic! That helps me a lot. I have another question, about the script: is it just the questions I should ask; or is it the whole kit and caboodle, as in I make it after I have done all the interviews? Ok, hopefully you understood that. Thanks again!!!!!

Paige

[shirt]

Well, Paige.

Documentaries are one aspect of filmmaking that I am extremely interested in. I am currently attempting to develop some of my own ideas, in fact I just sent out a few e-mails concerning a current project about Polish Labour camp workers in Siberia during WW2.

Anyways, the first step is to find a topic... make sure it's never been done before, and if it has... make sure your story is different from the rest. You can find out by searching the internet, imdb, and other sources. You'll know if it has almost immediately.

Next, research! Become the expert. You must know MORE about what you're doing your film on than the people you interview. You must be an expert.

While researching, make contacts. Find interesting people who are willing to be interviewed. Do it on Audio tape first to be sure that they will no freeze, and be dull. A tip I have is to find about 4 times the amount of people you plan to use, UNLESS you are 100% positive the sources you are using will be good, and reliable.

After research comes the treatment. Make sure you outline what you want to accomplish, how you are going to accompolish it, etc. A treatment not only makes explaining your film easier, but also clears your mind on what you are doing.

Finally, draft a script (yes, you need a script). Basically, expand your treatment. Know the questions you plan to ask, listen to the answers, etc.

Hope this helped.. if you want some more tips just give me a shout at [email protected]



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[Generic Skinhead]

Shirt said it all there really. But also decide:

Are you going to be impartial, or put across your view? Remember no documentary will ever be completly impartial.

Can you make the subject visually interesting too? Nice cut aways etc to spice it up.

Get some good mics. Interviews need to have a consistant sound quality from one to the next.

Think about how you're going to light your subject.

No matter what, make sure to TELL THE STORY.

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Generic Skinhead: just another "know it all, right on film student." www.geocities.com/genskin

[Generic Skinhead]

Here's HOW TO DO IT THE gENNY sKIN WAY.

Write out a list of questions before each interview, but also be prepared to let the conversation "flow". Certain questions will occur to you on the day too.

I'd put everything in the script. Shots, the order of your interviews, any voice over etc-just as a rough guide. Know the story you're telling and tell it.

When you get to editing, pick out the vital and interesting info the subjects give, string it together in your preferred order, but again-make sure it's telling the story. Sorry but you would'nt believe how many stylish but disjointed docs I've seen. Its an easy trap to fall in.

Good luck Paige, lemme know how it goes.



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Generic Skinhead: just another "know it all, right on film student." www.geocities.com/genskin

[Alex]

I pretty much disagree that that is "the way" to go about a documentary. It is an excellent way, but not the only way.

First decide, are you trying to right a viscous wrong with your documentary?

Or are you just trying to learn about something you have always been interested in, in which case you can't know more then your subjects, otherwise there would be no point to the documentary.

Or, are you trying to preserve a historical moment in time by interviewing the last remaining souls of an event you feel is pretty darn important.

I suggest you consider volunteering to work on someone else's documentary first.

The experience will either heighten your own desire to do your own documentary, or teach you that you have other ways you wish to contribute to the world creatively.

Either way, you've helped someone else, and you will learn so much you'll be grateful for the experience whatever you decide.

If you do work on someone else's project, suffering isn't required, especially if you are not being paid.

And don't work for anyone who doesn't regularly feed the crew and give them water, it shouldn't be like prison.

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[steven_craig]

paige,

some other points to concider,

is the documentry going to be just voice over or are you going to feature in it yourself talking to camera. is there going to any voice over at all? or are you going to let the subjects explain it all (good for retrospective documentries)
are you going to hear the questions at the interview? or just get the repsonces of the subjects?

whatever interview style you choose make sure you stick to it so the documentry is unified

hope this kinda helps

steve

p.s. is your view gonna be objective or subjective

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 28, 2002 04:29 PM: Message edited by: steven_craig ]</font>

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

First of all, thanks for all your help so far. :-) Maybe I should tell you all a little more about my chosen subject matter. I'm part of my high school's Strolling Strings group. (We are all high school students who play either violin, viola, cello or bass. We memorize our music and play at various functions. The violins and violas walk around while playing and serenade the people attending the function.) Anyway, not many people know about this activity, so I'm going to inform people about it by focusing on our preparations to perform to DC this summer. Also, seeing as I'm a high school student in an area that doesn't get many films, I don't have film makers to follow (or the time w/school being how it is), but thanx for the suggestion Alex.

I really appreciate your help, and if you have any more advice keep it coming!

Paige

[SmokescreenProdsGirl]

Thanks!!