Crucial content and purpose are to the power and appeal of documentaries. When other films help us escape the world, these films return us to it with
clarity and passion.
To start your Doc. keep in mind:
- You will need Access to your subject
- A good Pitch line (thesis statement)
- Don't drag it out. Get it done!
- Have lots of B-Roll
- Audio has to be great
Below is some idea example:
- Find someone that can do something amazing, like play a concerto, or sculpt a beautiful animal, or sing like a bird, or something you think is great, and then give them an image that completely doesn’t fit that great gift, at all. Have that person in several situations where they are socially criticized. Show that you should never ever judge a book by it’s cover by filming them doing their thing– after they are put down or hurt, or judged by a group.
- We, as a society, are embracing technology without fully understanding the long-term ramifications of this decision. Analyse the society we live in today, and conclude, if we are heading the right way, or jeopardising our future generations.
- Pick a local eatery yo have access to and show how they make the food and how it effects the community.
Watch all the examples below. Note how effective each is even though they are very short.
UP THERE from Jon on Vimeo.
Nilo's Story from Omar Khalifa on Vimeo.
Re-inventing the Cupcake: Kumquat Cupcakery *food curated* from SkeeterNYC on Vimeo.
Stella's Voice from Cooke Pictures on Vimeo.
"A Life In The Day" from John Mayer on Vimeo.
The Lift from guyphenix on Vimeo.
Cafe Lago from Katharine Rea Mundo on Vimeo.
So cool! I can't wait to make my first documentary!
ReplyDeleteit helped a lot. I like the last one the most, though it's really short. It gets to the point.
ReplyDeleteI was especially moved by Stella's Voice. It was an interesting expository documentary. Although not very fact heavy, the story itself stands on its own. I look forward to sharing my documentary with the class.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alec. Stella's Voice really touched me. I can't wait to create something as beautiful as that!
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately watched A Life In The Day, it made me have a headache.....the shots were extremely shaky. I can't wait to make another documentary, or I guess my first one!
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Taylor. John Mayer's video was alright. It was simple, the angles were appropiate - some frames were shaky here and there but overall the film was translucent and tight! Loved the way it started with the opening shutters and the closing shutters to finish it. Repetition was nicely played.
ReplyDeleteStella's Voice was very moving. The shots were beautiful and sharp. It helped tell the story, and it makes me want to make a good quality documentary.
ReplyDeleteCafe Lago was an interesting little piece on a neighborhood diner. It explored all aspects of the food service industry and highlighted the special characteristics of the diner - the food only found at that diner and the service of animals. The people in it were not very enthusiastic, though. It was not extremely engaging.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the documentary about the mural painters. Typically, they are associated with standard sized buildings but the sky high murals are the ones that go unnoticed. I know those elaborate hand painted murals are often mistaken for print outs. Thus, their hard work goes unnoticed but I guess that’s just the way it is in the world.
ReplyDeleteCafe Lago gets to the point on the very first sentence spoken, but then loses you towards the end. They finish by talking about a couple of foods they make instead of giving more information about how they affect the community, which was their main topic.
ReplyDelete