1. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: Can you generate a list of questions that will elicit detailed and informative responses (something beyond just ʻyesʼ or ʻnoʼ)? What do you think this subject wants to say? What do you want to elicit or discover, what are your intentions?
Does this question want me to generate the questions here? But yes, I can definitely generate a bunch of questions that will elicit detailed responses. I’m not entirely sure what the subject wants to say, but I am gearing towards the life of a BSW worker and their perceptions of college culture.
2. SHOT LIST: Generate a list of all the shots that you envision producing. Think about your primary sources – action shots, interviews, location shots, etc. – but also remember to consider “B roll” material – secondary material that might help create context, add visual variety, or more depth to your subject.
Besides shot of stereotypical “college culture”, various random shots of BSW tasks. Mostly to show how much they actually do around dorms.
3. STYLE + ELEMENTS: As you generate your shot list, revisit the issue of style. Think again about locations, lighting, props. Think carefully about audio. Will you use the audio captured by the camcorder? Replace it with something else? Add other elements to it? Make a list of all the elements that need to be assembled, accessed, and/or considered.
Style/elements? The location will mostly be around the ISR dorm area. Not much else, maybe shots of things no one knew BSW’s did. I will mostly likely use the audio captured by the interview with footage from other scenes, etc.
4. STORYBOARD: Can you make a visual representation of what you see in your mind? Can you describe the narrative structure with the use of key image frames in the sequence. Can you represent the beginning, end, and other pivotal moments – the narrative arc – of the piece by using a sequence of still images. Can you describe the audio track(s) and transitions with words, and in relation to images?
umm. Not yet, not until the interview.
5. COMPOSITION + FORM: As you start to visual your project, and begin to assemble the media elements for your composition, consider these choices in relation to the content you are trying to convey. Why are you making these choices? Do they support your intent and what you are trying to communicate?
Footage I feel will be secondary to the actual interview. Hugh is a very interesting person to talk to, and I feel like I will be using the footage as a supplement to what he is saying. Stylistically, I feel like I want to use no text, in a way that people can understand what he is talking about without having to be there and hearing (or reading) what I say.
6. IN THE FIELD: Document your shooting and production process. What worked well? What didnʼt? Take notes on the scenes you shoot, all your various shots. Are there particular shots that you feel particularly excited about? Where there any surprises? Happy accidents?
What worked well was the camera angle. I felt like I had a nice angle, although I only had 1 camera so I couldn’t switch between different shots. Some scenes that I felt weren’t as well done were the ones where I used the camera to film free hand. While Hugh moved a lot during his work, in retrospect I think I could have still used the tripod to make a steadier shot. Shaky footage bothers me somewhat. No real surprises or happy accidents.
7. REFLECTION: Capture your thoughts and feelings. How are you feeling about the project
so far? What have you learned?
My feeling about the project is mostly that I don’t have enough time. I’m pretty much crammed with homework, research, and studying for tests, which means I won’t have all the time I want for this project. I also wish I had a clearer picture of the video (which will happen after the interview).
8. IMPROVISATION: Plans change. Life is unpredictable. Sometimes it becomes apparent that Plan A wonʼt work. Sometimes we are naive, go down a blind alley, or fail. We make discoveries and breakthroughs. Sometimes we have to think on our feet, make quick decisions, follow our intuition. Most creative people take risks; meaning that to some extent they have entered the unknown and are learning as they go. These people are constantly paying attention – reviewing, reflecting, and adjusting. You should too: Review your pre-production notes and write about how your original plan has, or should be altered. Are there any particular ideas or plans that have shifted? Has the process of actually making something made you wiser or more realistic about the project? Has your focus shifted? Did you stumble upon something that changed your perspective? How can you let your project evolve and incorporate new knowledge on the fly?
One thing I think this project is headed towards is perhaps the depth of the documentary. I originally invisioned a piece with a lot more information, which can’t happen properly due to time constraints. So I will have to edit the interview in such a way that I can still talk about what I want to in the time given to me. Unfortunately, Hugh is a very interesting speaker, and there are many clips I would like to include in the documentary. Maybe I’ll go back and make a longer one after this project is turned in. If I have the time.
Bring me Java, Bring me Joy 